Interview With 'It's A Sin' Actor Nathaniel Curtis

2020 had put a stop to a lot of things, and frankly has left a huge stain in history. Covid-19 meant temporarily saying goodbye to our social lives and well-being. Natural disasters sparked more turmoil than we thought we could handle. George Floyd’s untimely death started international debate and the American presidential election had the whole world watching with shaking knees – and those are unfortunately just the highlights.

In saying that though, despite the chaos that the year was - one of the great things to come out of this insane season is that many of us finally had to the time to sit down and take a moment for ourselves. We saw the kindness in strangers, sent sincere appreciation to essential workers and found gems to fill in the spare time.

Whether that was putting together puzzles or sitting on the couch for hours on end, we found time – and some of us were lucky enough to come across Channel 4’s delicious new original series “It’s A SIN”. Forewarning this show is not for anyone living in the middle ages – there’s sex, queer conversations and surrounds a group of friends in their twenties handling the rise of AIDS/ HIV.

One of the misfits in this important five part miniseries is Ash Mukherjee who enters the scene guns blazing with confidence and immediate charm. Within a couple of minutes, he’s naked and yet somehow despite the awkward nudity – you focus more on what he saying and what he’s doing in the scene than anything else. You would think based on performance and ability to draw attention away from the uncomfortable nakedness that this was a seasoned actor making the rounds but on the contrary – it is in fact the on screen debut of Nathaniel Curtis.

Curtis whom has just come off a touring stage production of the Tempest and Romeo and Juliet brings not only a fresh breath of air for viewers but is seemingly the perfect choice to round off an already excellent story.

Similar to what’s going on in the world at the moment, the chaos of circumstance will never completely take away good times. As we shed tears as episodes progress, we also get to laugh alongside the characters on screen and inadvertently wish we were with them in party and protest. Curtis plays an on and off lover but throughout is a constant friend, whom only makes me want to a better ally for the LGBTQ community. This show is important and Curtis’s on screen debut shows us why.

top & coat KING & TAUCKFIELD, trousers THOM SWEENEY, shoes GRENSON

First and foremost- how is lockdown treating you and how has the actor/ creative experienced changed for you?

Nathaniel: It’s been a very strange year and, at times, I’ve really struggled. Not being able to work or see family and friends really took it out of me. Thankfully, due to the show I’m busy now but I’m really looking forward to when things start getting better.

It’s really quite odd not going to a casting office to audition- I’ve had to come to grips with the art of a self-tape quite quickly. It’s been very sad to see the effect on the industry but I’m hoping that when we bounce back, it’ll be with strength and style.

Even though, it’s a rather odd season – what have you taken away from 2020 if any?

Nathaniel: I’ve would like to think that I’ve learned how to really look after myself but, realistically, I’ve only just begun to understand how. The weekly Zoom quiz, although I’d like to think I have mastered it, will definitely be left behind in 2020, thank you. I also will never be taking a hug for granted ever again.

Being a half cast myself, I found it incredibly strange to identify with cultures. What has your experience been like?

Nathaniel: If I’m honest, it was difficult when I was a child because there wasn’t really anybody else who looked like me but, as an adult, being mixed-race is something that I’m very proud of. Despite being born and raised in England, I feel like there was a balance of cultures in my childhood. When I’m in search for comfort food, it’s my mother’s curry recipes that I crave.

Some of the messages of support that I’m receiving in response to the show are from people of the Indian community who are grateful to see Indian male representation where they are the love interest instead of being the comedy relief or the academic. It’s been so lovely and I feel very proud.

In terms of creativity and diversity- how do you think the industry is changing and what would like to see more of?

Nathaniel: I think that there are certain improvements within the industry, for sure. But there is still so much that can be done. I’m desperate to see more appreciation for women behind the camera and women of colour. Stories from people of colour in general, although there is a slow progression, there need to be more of. And I want to see actors in the LGBTQ+ community treated as equals to those who aren’t.

“It’s A Sin” is your first Television series – what was the appeal for you to tell such a daring story/ perspective.

Nathaniel: The HIV/AIDS pandemic hasn’t been told like this before and the script was just sensational. From the moment I read it I was hooked: I wanted to know the characters more and I was desperate to see what happened to them and just wanted to give them all a cuddle.

There are a couple of very intimate scenes throughout the show – what was it like filming?

Nathaniel: The intimate scenes were, admittedly, a little nerve wracking but we had some really wonderful Intimacy Co-ordinators who were there to support us during those scenes. They’d planned the scenes with us and the director and after the first take, the initial nerves subsided and it all went very smoothly. I was very lucky to be good friends with Olly, my scene partner, and to have the crew who were all so patient and caring.

Can you tell us a little more about the character and how relate to Ash?

Nathaniel: Ash is a very calm, confident young man and you first meet him it’s through Ritchie’s eyes. He’s very sure of himself and very quiet, not because he’s shy but because he always thinks about what he needs to say, if anything. As the years go, he becomes a very kind, earnest young man who is always there for those he loves, strong and steady.

I adored playing Ash, he’s such a wonderful and complicated character. Young Ash has more confidence than I’ve ever had, especially at that age, but I can really relate to the man who is trying to be heard and taken seriously; I think many people can.

What has been your favourite thing about shooting the show?

Nathaniel: The people, without a doubt. Both who you see on the screen and everyone behind it. The show was made with such care and love and I think it shows, everyone involved is just so kind, giving and gorgeous. I miss them all terribly, especially the six of us dancing together in the mornings.

Once lockdown officially ends and Covid-19 is safe enough to return to normal- what is the first thing you would be doing?

Nathaniel: I am going to go to the pub and hug every single one of my friends for at least an hour and pet stranger’s dogs. Maybe at the same time.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Nathaniel: I honestly have no idea. And I find that really exciting.

Words / QUADE AU

Left: coat MAXIME, trousers THOM SWEENEY • Right: shirt A. A. SPECTRUM, coat TOGA, trousers RAEY

This PIBE online exclusive has been produced by:
Talent / Nathaniel Curtis
Photography / Ellyse Anderson
Styling / Aartthie Mahakuperan
Make up / Lesley Vye
Hair / Maki Tanaka
Producer / Gustavo Gonzalez

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