THE AURA ISSUE starring LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT
Interview By: William Buckley
From British TV instituations like Grange Hill and Coronation Street, to Big Screen films in Hollywood (via a low-key show called Emily in Paris; maybe you’ve heard of it?), Lucien Laviscount’s rise from small town boy in Lancashire, England, to globally-celebrated Hollywood actor is the stuff of dreams
It was 2022. Season one of Emily in Paris had stormed locked-down living rooms in 2020, and season two was another smash hit. At a fashion party in the Dubai desert, celebrities gathered, but the most gushed- over were Ashley Park and Lucien Laviscount (aka Alfie) – “Did you see Alfie from Emily in Paris? Omg!” – that kind of thing. I didn’t approach him, but on the walk back to the 4x4s, someone turned and asked, “Is that a London accent?!” It was Lucien. “Yeah maateee!” I replied, hamming up the Cockney, as one does. We got talking, and he invited us to join his table at the Edition Hotel afterparty. My assistant nearly fainted, and I wasn’t far behind – he is very, very charming. We got in our car at 11 p.m., with a sunrise photoshoot the next morning. “This is a bad idea,” I said. “But we have to, really,” my assistant replied coyly. She was right. So we went. We sat at Lucien’s table. We talked and laughed. He has the warmest energy, great chat; good times. We exchanged numbers, and my assistant and I dragged ourselves away from the party at a modest 2 a.m.
Three years on, Lucien has barely stopped. What began as a three-episode guest role in season two turned into a main cast staple at the insistence of Darren Star. Season five has just wrapped and premieres this December. Along the way came film leads – Nick Moore’s rom-com This Time Next Year, Simon Barry’s upcoming thriller Safe House, and the adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling People We Meet on Vacation, due next year. In between, there were the red carpets – inevitable when you’re this talented, this charming, and this devastatingly good-looking. And so, three years later, with Rankin and Richard Mille, we had the cover. Lucien flew in from Paris, arriving on set with that dazzling smile and heart-melting twinkle in his eye. We shot at The Hunger studio and Rankin’s penthouse, its floor-to-ceiling windows framing the cityscape of northwest London. Before he jetted back to Paris, we sat down to talk about manifesting, big energy, and David Beckham.
WILLIAM BUCKLEY: When we first met, you were at a fashion event in the desert in Dubai. That was February 2022, so that was just after your first season on Emily in Paris, season two. Tell me about life back then and how life’s changed since then?
LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT: Gosh, it was crazy, because I was coming out of lockdown. And lockdown, to me, was a really special time to get off the hamster wheel of life in a way that I never thought I needed. I was always moving, always fighting for the next job, always working towards my dream. And then Emily in Paris came around, and it was out of the blue. I got a call from my team, like, “Lucien, look, Darren Star wants you to tape for Emily in Paris.” I’m like, “Okay, cool. When do they need the tape?” And they said, “By Friday.” This was Wednesday. I got the scene, and it was about 13 or 14 pages of dialogue between my character and Emily’s. I think it’s the quickest I’ve ever learned lines. I was in New York at a friend’s place. My friend went out to get her nails done, and she was like, “Give me a minute, I’ll read this through with you when I get back.” Certain shows, especially Darren’s shows, have a specific rhythm to them. And because I was such a fan of the first season, I got the rhythm down quickly. I learned the lines fast – which is a testament to the writing, too. Good writing, you can learn quicker, it’s more intuitive, so I had the lines down within about 45 minutes. I told my friend, “Come back and help me tape this.” She came back with one hand still in foil, and we ripped off the tape. I think I only did each of the two scenes twice. She asked, “Are you sure? We can do it again.” And I said, “No, let’s just send it now, see what the team thinks. If they’ve got notes, I’ll redo it.” When I say “team”, I mean my manager, my agents, all of them. So I sent it off, and I was like, “Let me know if there are any notes – I’ve got a couple more days to work on it.” But they came back and said, “We already sent it. We thought it was great.” That made me panic a bit. With self-tapes, you don’t have the ability to be in the room with a casting director. Normally, they’d direct you, or producers give notes. But with a self-tape, you just give your most authentic take and hope it lands. And then, within an hour, I got a call from my manager: “Lucien, Darren and Lily want to Zoom with you tomorrow.” Long story short, I got the part.
WB: And it was only supposed to be a couple of episodes, right? What happened? They fell in love.
LL: Yeah, Alfie was only supposed to be around for two episodes. It’s customary on set that when it’s someone’s last day, the crew gather and wrap the person with a small round of applause. So I’d finished my two episodes, and the crew, extremely generously, gave me a round of applause. That’s when Darren came in and asked, “Why is everyone applauding?” They said, “Lucien’s wrapped.” And he said, “No – we’re keeping him on the show.”
WB: So they wrote you back in?
LL: Yeah, they wrote me in. That’s the brilliance of Darren and his whole team over on Emily in Paris. In all his projects, actually. Because the studios trust him so much, they allow him to write as they go. So it really is more zeitgeist, more in the moment. If things are going on in the world, or even things happening on set – conversations we’re having when the mics are still on – they pick up on that. They’ll say, “Oh, that’s nice, let’s use it.” They have the broad strokes mapped out, but I definitely wasn’t supposed to be around longer than two episodes.
WB: Were you expecting the impact it would have on your life?
LL: I wasn’t expecting the character to land the way it did. I was just having fun with it. I always leave it all on set, really. That’s all I can do. I’ve been doing this for a while, and I know I can only do my best on the day. After that, I walk away. Because in the edit, everything can change. A character can be taken in a different direction – the edit is powerful, and you have no control over.
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WB: Even the way it’s edited, the public, the viewers, might take it differently.
LL: Completely! And then with the big love affair with Gabriel, my character was kind of stirring the pot. So you never know where that will land with an audience, and it didn’t matter, I just loved having the opportunity to bring Alfie to life. And then to go out to the UAE – that’s the power of Netflix. Being out there and having so many people come up to me who loved the show, who appreciated it, was massive for me. It just shows how many people it touches. When it comes out, it’s uplifting. It brings light to people’s days, evenings, whenever they watch it. To be part of something like that is really special. And my trip out here was the first trip I took where I really felt it – landing in a different world, being in the UAE, and realising, “Wow, this show really does have reach.”
WB: What were your feelings in the following year, when it all blew up?
LL: I remember being in Dubai and meeting a family from Chile who loved the show. And it still gets me, how many people gravitate to it. But there’s always doubt too. It was a lockdown show when it first came out. So is season two going to land the same way? So many shows have amazing first seasons, then season two doesn’t hit the same. So I thought, “It could go either way.” And it went the right way. Honestly, I’m still not coming down from it. I live in the moment, and I appreciate it so much. I’m just grateful that I get to be part of something people love. And I hope this season touches people like the rest of them. And I will say, for my character – there are some big surprises this season. I was shocked when I read the script. Things get flipped on their head a lot.
WB: Now we’re at season five. What have the years and the seasons in between been like?
LL: It’s been incredible. Over the years I’ve built relationships with casting directors, producers, and different studios. It’s nice to take meetings after the shows come out. I’ve been working on my own stuff too – writing, creating. It opens doors, and I’m super grateful for that – and also taking full advantage of it. I was talking to my mum about it yesterday, actually. I’ve realised my life is dictated by my 10-year-old self. That 10-year- old had a dream – to be an actor, to perform, to be in entertainment.
WB: Right! David Beckham, Marks & Spencer – tell me about that.
LL: Back then, it started when I got scouted on the street in Manchester to do a modelling job for Marks & Spencer. I had a big afro, and we were just window shopping – we couldn’t afford anything. Someone asked me to do a casting for this campaign. I loved school, but like any 11-year-old, I was like, “Great, I get the afternoon off school!” At the casting, they asked about my hobbies. I said football and kickboxing. They told me to show some kickboxing moves. I didn’t know how the entertainment world worked, so I actually kicked the casting director in the head – split his lip a bit. Everyone else loved it, except him. But they gave me the job. They told us we’d be working with someone famous, and basically not to lose our minds. And then David Beckham walked out. I was like, “Wow, this is crazy.” And I was an Arsenal fan too! And I told him that. I think just me being this kid that didn’t really understand the etiquette, but was completely unapologetically myself, David took to it. On the second day he said, “Lucien, you should really get into acting.” I was like, “What does that look like? What is that?” and he said, “I’m going to make a couple of calls.” Next thing you know, an acting school in Manchester reached out. I went to two classes, but it was back when fuel prices went up. Life for me in Burnley – outside of our household – was tough. I grew up in so much love and craziness within our home, but everything outside was pretty serious. It was kind of a fend-for-yourself situation. But in that acting space, it was freedom I’d never experienced before. Kids trying new things, and it was a judgement- free place to be and explore. I was fascinated by it. I remember coming home from school the following Thursday, so excited to go to class, and my mum just saying she couldn’t afford to take me anymore. And I was like, “Cool, that’s fine. I’ll figure something else out.” A few months later, the school called and asked why I hadn’t been back. We said I’d been busy with schoolwork. They said, “Okay, well, there’s a casting for a TV show called Clocking Off – Sophie Okonedo is an incredible actress. They thought I’d be great for it.” I said, “Mum, this is it, can I go?” She said yes, and I got the job. Even as a kid, I was big on manifestation. I’d watch shows like Grange Hill, Waterloo Road, Coronation Street and think, “One day, I want to be on that”, and on the film side, my favourite has always been Batman, particularly Robin. That idea of transformation and resilience always stuck with me – that would be really special if that came around.
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WB: How was Corrie?
LL: Corrie is a machine. I worked with the team there for about a year, and it was incredible. There were actors who’d been there for decades – still turning up every day with humility, still supporting younger actors. That’s so important. Over the years I’ve realised that sometimes people aren’t very nice – for their own reasons, personal or career-related, and I completely understand that. But I always consider it a workplace and a creative place. I go in there to be light and just enjoy it, because that’s all it is. We make-believe, at the end of the day. But Corrie had so many wonderful people. Sally Dynevor (Sally Webster) was amazing to me. Kym Marsh too. That really grounded me and gave me the confidence and tools to explore my own path. And it was amazing. My last day on Coronation Street was my first day on Waterloo Road. That was fun – I’d just turned 17, and it was another show I’d grown up watching.
WB: Did people start recognising you on the street after Corrie?
LL: Yeah. And this was before Instagram and social media blew up. It was so interesting. And it relates to Emily in Paris – you have ideas of who watches what, but then I’d have these tough lads on the street come up to me like, “Yo, Lucien, good man. I like you in Coronation Street.” And I was like, “Wait, you watch Corrie?!” [laughs] It blew my mind. I learned a lot from that show, from the older actors – not just about acting, but about handling press. Some of them had the press being really nasty, and it put the fear in you of what could happen, but also showed the joy it can bring to people. I am able to work in an industry that brings joy and entertainment to people’s lives. The schedule is jam-packed, but the crew shows up every day with smiles because we know what we’re making.
WB: So when you went from UK TV to US shows, was that like, “Now I’ve made it”? Was that always the plan – Hollywood, the big movies, A-list?
LL: I think I just got to the point where there weren’t many opportunities for me in the UK back then. Now the UK makes some of the best TV. If you look at Adolescence at the Emmys, we have a real pool of talent for these gripping British shows that are fantastic. And I can’t wait to go back to the UK – I’d love to do a Luther, or something in that vein. But yeah, I always wanted to give the States a shot. It doesn’t come without ups and downs, but that’s what makes it all worth it. And I’m so happy and grateful that my career has had those ups and downs. I feel like if a show like Emily in Paris had happened 10 years ago, I don’t know if I’d have been emotionally ready to handle it. I’m sure if it did happen that way, I would have managed it with the people I’ve got around me, my family, but I feel like now I’ve got a little bit of life under me. I see it differently, and I’m grateful everything happened the way it did.
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WB: I guess you value it more now. When you’re young, you’re untethered.
LL: Yeah. I had time to just live, to enjoy anonymity – being young and figuring things out. And I think that’s the other thing about Hollywood. You’re thrust into the limelight on big shows without having the opportunity to be bad, to not be amazing. And I think that’s important, especially as an actor and a human being – to fail. And gosh, I’m still figuring it out. You need space to fail, to not always be amazing. And I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to enjoy life, to fail, and to come through the other side. One of the biggest pieces of advice I’ve had is: just when the going gets tough, you’re only just getting going. It’s about sticking it out and remembering why. I’ve got so many friends who are so talented, but it’s tough out there. Not everything is meant to go your way, so there’s a lot of nos in this game – it’s about using those nos as fuel to push forward instead of letting them hold you back. I’ve had plenty of nos in my career – big projects that didn’t happen – and that’s life, that’s the industry. But I’ve learned from everything. Every experience has taught me a lesson. I’m realising more and more how important it is to take care of your well-being. A lot of this is mental, so taking care of your body and being in tune with it is my biggest attribute to keeping my emotions in check. It’s health, fitness, and long walks figuring out what the next steps will be. I’m extremely disciplined and that allows me to feel fulfilled. And most importantly, I’m having so much fun being able to do something I love. I’m happy.
QUICK-FIRE
WB: STAR SIGNS OR SCIENCE?
LL: Mmm…I guess there’s a science to star signs.
WB: CATS OR DOGS?
LL: Oh, you can’t do that to me. It’s like my brother or my brother.
WB: CRAZIEST DM YOU EVER RECEIVED?
LL: I was once DMed a photo by a friend who thought I’d met someone they knew – but on closer look, it wasn’t even me. It was AI. Whether I’d been AI’d or whatever you call it, it was just weird.
WB: BEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE?
LL: There’s too many to name just one.
WB: BIGGEST THRILL OF YOUR LIFE?
LL: I’m really into diving right now, being under the water is like being on another planet.
WB: ANY SUPERSTITIONS?
LL: Hate to say it but yes. No hats on the table, no new shoes on the bed, don’t walk under street signs, don’t split the post. I guess my superstitions give me a little edge.
WB: MOST STARSTRUCK MOMENT?
LL: I met Lenny Kravitz the other day. We had dinner, I kept my cool best I could but he’s so iconic.
WB: BEST FASHION SLAY?
LL: Probably the D&G suit I wore for the Emily in Paris premiere. It meant a lot – had a cool little bow on it too.
WB: WORST FASHION FAIL?
LL: So many, bro. But in the moment, I felt confident. So I’ll stand by them.
WB: BATH OR SHOWER?
LL: Shower. I can’t even remember the last time I had a bath.
WB: NEXT BUCKET-LIST DESTINATION?
LL: Brazil.
WB: LAST PERSON YOU STALKED ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
LL: I’ll send you their name after.
WB: FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU WAKE UP?
LL: Brush my teeth.
WB: SIGNATURE SCENT?
LL: Not giving that one away. It’s too good. If I give it away, then everyone will have it.
WB: BEST MEAL IN THE WORLD?
LL: My grandma’s chicken and rice
WB: CELEBRITY CRUSH?
LL: They know who they are…
WB: FAVOURITE FLAVOUR OF SORBET?
LL: Strawberry
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Creative Concept Studio Sorbet | Starring Lucien Laviscount | Photographer Rankin | Videographer Josh Bentley | Editorial Director William Buckley | Styling Kim Howells, Louie Dobner | Grooming Rebekah Lidstone | Head of Production Chelsea Stemple | Producer Shania Yasmin | Production Assistant Khansaa Houlbi, Gina Bell | Photographic Team Charlie Cummings, Joshua Bentley | Talent Manager Claire Dobner | Talent Agent Natasha Hachem | Watches Richard Mille, Ninety Watches & Jewelry | City London
END OF STORY
