DESPITE HIS PASSION FOR CARTOGRAPHY AND PHOTOGRAPHY, FREDDIE DENNIS ALWAYS WANTED TO PLAY PRETEND FOR A LIVING. AFTER ATTENDING THE OXFORD SCHOOL OF DRAMA, THE RISING BRITISH ACTING TALENT EARNED NEAR-INSTANT FAME IN THE NETFLIX PERIOD DRAMA QUEEN CHARLOTTE. PLAYING THE STERN AND UPRIGHT (BUT SECRETLY TENDER) REYNOLDS, HE EMBARKED ON A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE QUEEN’S SECRETARY, BRIMSLEY, GIVING THE BRIDGERTON UNIVERSE ITS FIRST QUEER ROMANCE. BUT EVEN WITH HIS IMPOSSIBLY GOOD LOOKS, DON’T EXPECT HIM TO BE TYPECAST AS ARM CANDY ANYTIME SOON – HE MAY BE YOUNG AND IN DEMAND, BUT HE’S READY TO PROVE HIS ACTING CHOPS, TRYING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES HIS WAY.

Left Coat **O. Files**, pants **Alexander McQueen**, shoes **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**
Right Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

Before we get to acting, I want to ask you about the amazing travelogue images you share on Instagram. You’re a bit of an explorer!

Yes, I’ve loved geography for as long as I can remember. At primary school, I think I had more atlases than friends! In year 7, I won the geography rap competition, which certainly didn’t help the friend situation! [Laughs] I think my fascination with maps gave me a wider curiosity about the world and I don’t think there’s any better subject than geography to satisfy that. Then, I suppose photography came when I started travelling, I found it made the experience even more enriching.

Left Coat **O. Files**
Right Jacket **Maison Margiela**, shorts **Adam Jones**, boots **Untitlab**

Do you have a favourite place you’ve captured, or a person/group you’ve met on your travels? I know it’s like choosing a favourite child.

I know it sounds cliché, but I love all the places and people I’ve photographed for different reasons. That said, I think Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the most photogenic places I’ve been to. I took a photo of a boy fishing in a town called Arslanbob – home of the world’s largest walnut forest for fellow geographers – it did well in some competitions I submitted it to. I never thought it was my best, but I’m proud that it was recognised.

Left Full look **Prada**
Right Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

How did you get into photography? Who are your photographic icons?

George Steinmetz was my inspiration growing up. At 21, he dropped out of Stanford University and para-glided across Africa for two and half years – his intrepidness and willingness to chase a dream still inspire me. Everyone should look up his book African Air.

Do you think you’ll ever release your own photography book, or is filmmaking on the horizon?

Yes, I hope so, to both! I think an interesting life is one where you try your hand at lots of different things. In terms of filmmaking, my friend Ben and I are about to release a short documentary we made in 2024. It’s a series of interviews made across the country, concerning a multitude of topics - a sort of ‘State of the Nation’ piece. Who knows if it’s any good… but we’re happy to have finished it nonetheless!

Left Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**
Right Full look **Dior Men**

How did you get into acting? What made you want to do it?

I can’t say exactly what it was that drew me to it… All I can say is that I always wanted to act. I never tried it until I left university though, for fear of sucking! I applied to drama schools during Covid and despite my lack of experience somehow got in. I thank the lack of face-to-face auditions! [Laughs] It transformed it from a dream into a reality.

Left Coat **O. Files**
Right Top **Stefan Cooke**, pants **Alexander McQueen**

Having lacked that confidence to pursue acting, getting your big break on a show like Queen Charlotte must have helped!

Honestly, I don’t know that it did. I do now feel much more confident, but I think the change for me came when I realised that it’s ok to be a work in progress. I’m never going to be the finished product, but I’m getting better every day and that’s enough.

You must feel proud of being part of the Bridgerton world’s first queer love story though?

I am so proud of that – it’s so important for all people to feel represented in whatever they watch on television. Though at the time, I was just terrified that someone had employed me to act!

Left Full look **Prada**
Right Full look **Loewe**

So where is your head at now? Do you feel like you’re unafraid to go in any direction and try new things in a role?

I am really excited about what this year holds. I feel ready and raring to go!

If a director came along right now and offered you a part you would go crazy for, who would the director be and what’s the role?

I feel like at this stage of my career I want to try anything and everything. It’s such a privilege just to be working and trying new things. I am about to start a film in Spanish which I am incredibly excited about, so right now I’m just grateful for where I am at.

Left Coat **Dunhill**, body **Zimism**, boots **Untitlab**
Right Top **Samuel Slattery**, pants **Giorgio Armani**

I could see you in a biopic, playing James Dean perhaps, or a Marvel movie, as we know you’re partial to being in costume.

James Dean was a much smaller and far better-looking man than me but thank you nonetheless! On the other hand, I’ve been told repeatedly that I look like Lady Di…

I think you missed your calling in The Crown then! Well, back to the love of travelling – once you’ve done it all and won the Oscar, where in the world would you like to retire and grow old?

A stone’s throw from the Emirates Stadium!