Salford-born Tom Glynn-Carney was still in drama school when Christopher Nolan cast him opposite Harry Styles in ‘Dunkirk’, which had fans sleuthing out any and all details about the upcoming actor.

Since then the 27 year-old has earned a smattering of credits to his name, including the medieval epic ‘The King’, working alongside Robert Pattinson and Timothée Chalamet - the ‘Tolkien’ biopic, and the stage play ‘The Ferryman’, a West End and Broadway transfer directed by Sam Mendes. Soon he’ll star in Tennessee Williams’, ‘The Glass Menagerie’ in London, with actress Amy Adams, and appear in SAS: Rogue Heroes for BBC1 TV, which tells the story of the early beginnings of the SAS and the bravery of some of Britain’s most ungovernable soldiers. Possessing that very British quality of being confident without basking in the pulsating glow of his own talent, here he talks to us about pinch-me acting moments, exploring new genres and maybe making music with Harry one day…(Styles that is).

Left Jacket **John Lawrence Sullivan**
Right All **Givenchy**

I read that when you were younger, you liked to imitate others and do impressions, so you obviously weren’t the shy and introverted type?

Ha! Yes, that’s true. I didn’t have the most pleasant time at school. Bullies made me a target for a while and so I tended to use this on whoever made me feel small or threatened. It was my defence mechanism. It made people laugh and deflected the attention from me being a victim.

My impressions of the teachers got me into a lot of trouble. Both at school and drama school, but we’ll leave that there…

I watched people a lot, studied their movement, speech, idiosyncrasies all the elements that made them unique and often challenged myself to convince them I was the same as them. Often I would make a new friend and ally. Other times, I’d just be a nuisance.

Left Coat Loewe & pants **John Lawrence Sullivan**
Right All **Givenchy**

So what lit the acting fire for you, is there a particular performance on screen seeing someone transform into character that was fascinating to you?

I grew up watching the classics, one that stuck with me was Brando in ‘Street Car’. His performance made me feel like I was intruding. He was able to make time stand still, a sensation I’d seldom felt. Then there are performances like Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, Mark Rylance in Richard II, Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, Joaquin Phoenix in The Master, Seymour Hoffman in literally everything he ever did. I wanted to have a stab at what these guys were accessing. If I can do 50% of what these guys did, I’ll be a happy man.

Left Full look **Dior Men**
Right Full look **Charles Jeffrey Loverboy**

What about when you were acting in your teens, was there a performance you did that really made you think about inhabiting a person and living those moments, not as yourself, but still, feel like you’re experiencing it?

I remember playing Billy Elliot at school, and this was the first time I’d had a real chance to get stuck in with a role. I was at school, so obviously there were boundaries and distractions, but it was the closest I got to trying on a new skin at that age. It definitely gave a me a flavour of things to come and the escapism I could one day find.

Left Full look **Maison Margiela**
Right Full look **Celine Homme**

Did you know what you were getting into, with how competitive the industry is? Did anyone around you at the time say, “Listen, this can be really hard”?

Oh yes, I was reminded on a daily basis of how ridiculous I was being to be pursuing a career in

acting. I guess I was just stubborn enough to ignore the “get a proper job” mantra and stay focused on the task. I had a supportive family who encouraged me to go for it. I always felt that a plan B was pre-empting the corrosion of plan A. I was very very lucky.

Vest and shorts **Lacoste,** boots **Celine Homme**, & bracelet **Sweet Lime Juice**

So when you eventually left drama school in 2016 after being offered the part in the blockbuster Dunkirk, it must have been quite nerve-wracking on set, was everybody acquainted with each other in some way before you all got there? Or was it like a group of very different people all having to get to know each other very quickly?

Well, Chris [Nolan] is a very clever man and knew how much the offscreen chemistry of the lads would translate onscreen. We trained together, ate together, went on nights out together, it became somewhat of a brotherhood by the end. We’re all out at sea every day, on a massive film set, most of us had never been on a set that big or any set at all, so it was a communal baptism of fire. We looked after each other and learnt from the best.

It must have been quite a pinch-me moment, working alongside Mark Rylance in that film too, as you kind of idolised him in your teenage years right, watching endless YouTube clips of the actor’s shows at Shakespeare’s Globe?

Mark has always been a hero of mine. He’s an actor who just get’s it. He’s a chameleon. He is fearless and will take on any challenge. When I was cast as his son in Dunkirk I couldn’t believe it. I learned so much from him. He took me under his wing and gave me the confidence to play and explore with him. I owe a lot to Mark. We are still friends today. I can’t wait to see him as Rooster in the revival of Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem this year!

Left Full look **Dior Men**
Right Vest and shorts **Lacoste** & bracelet **Sweet Lime Juice**

So since then, do you feel like you’ve approached acting in a different way?

Oh definitely, you learn something new on every job. I feel I have a tendency to let the work come home with me. Sometimes it can be a good thing, to sit in it, work things out, live with, and as this person for a while. I like that way of working. But also, there is a time and a place. It can get stifling and oppressive if done incorrectly and can subsequently damage the work. I am still relatively new to it all, so naturally I am still honing my process.

Left Full **Givenchy**
Right Full **Maison Margiela**

What other roles would you like to explore then, different realms and themes you want to break into and challenge yourself with?

I’ve been lucky with the roles I’ve played so far. They’ve challenged me and pushed me far outside my comfort zone. Not the roles I was told I’d play when I was younger. I would like to explore comedy one day. I have lots I’d love to do. I want to keep operating outside my comfort zone and collaborate with great film makers, theatre directors and likeminded creatives. I want to play Chet Baker in his biopic. This is something I’ve always wanted. Spread the word…

Nice! He’s one of my favourite jazz legends. So say you get to play Chet, how you do prepare and spend time discovering parts of a character you’re about to bring to life, do you create a little world for yourself inside of the person?

My first area to explore is music. What music does my character listen to? Era dependent, mood dependent. I find music to be a vital part of understanding a person, place or time vividly and emotionally. Next would be how they dress, have their hair, how they like the world to see them. I often inadvertently wear clothes that are similar to that of my character, for rehearsals or just around the house. I think it feels like this lessens the transition from me to them.

Left Sweater **Etro**, denim pants **Emporio Armani** & bracelet **Sweet Lime Juice**
Right Full look **Givenchy**

Talking of music and fashion (idols), a certain Mr Styles starred alongside you in Dunkirk! Did you both talk music on the breaks from filming, as you’re also frontman for the band Sleep Walking Animals - planning on any collaborations together soon?

Ha! No we didn’t. At that stage in my life I wasn’t writing music or performing. It’s a pretty recent thing for me. But I have mentioned it to him since. Obviously, it would be great to collaborate with the big man, I’m sure we’d compliment each other’s sounds. Never say never. Watch this space.

And for now… what else keeps you motivated and busy outside work?

I have a beautiful Golden Retriever called Ziggy. He keeps me busy and my heart warm. Trips in my camper van, long walks in the countryside, a good plunge in some wild water. All things I like to do.

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Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Emilia Staugaard

Fashion by Steven Huang

Casting by IMAGEMACHINE cs

Production by FERN

Hair by Josh Knight at Caren Agency using MoroccanOil

Stylist’s assistant Nathan Fox

The photographer is represented by FERN