logo
Fame makes you feel like an impostor, says Jacob Elordi

Fame makes you feel like an impostor, says Jacob Elordi

The National13-05-2025
Fame can eat you alive if you let it. That is one of the lessons of the acclaimed new series Narrow Road to the Deep North. It's a lesson its star, Jacob Elordi, has had to learn the hard way. 'You feel like an impostor,' Elordi tells The National. 'You're met with this public idea of who you are, and it's never going to reflect who you actually are. 'Playing this role taught me that it's better to talk about it than bury it down for the entirety of your life.' The Australian actor, 27, has grappled with a lot in his rise to superstardom. He rocketed to fame in 2018 Netflix hit The Kissing Booth, following that up a year later with the phenomenal HBO series Euphoria. By the time Saltburn hit Amazon Prime Video in 2023, he was seemingly all anyone could talk about. The world saw his talent, to be sure, but things also got weird. He wasn't being treated as a great actor – only as a heart-throb. Increasingly, it seemed that fans and journalists alike couldn't separate him from the image built by his films and series. Perhaps that's why he saw so much of himself in Dorrigo Evans, the lead character of Narrow Road to the Deep North, now streaming on Tod and airing on BeIN TV channels in the Middle East. Dorrigo, just as he was in the Booker Prize-winning Richard Flanagan novel on which the series is based, is stoic – tormented by the divide between his public perception as a war hero and his true self that he keeps hidden inside. 'I felt it in my bones when I first read the book. He felt like a culmination of myself,' says Elordi. But unlike Dorrigo, Elordi isn't going to let the world tell him who he is. He's an actor – and a serious one at that. And while films such as Priscilla gave a hint at what's to come, Narrow Road is the start of his intentional ascent to being one of the best actors of his generation. 'I've grown up as a man of movies, and I really wouldn't have it any other way. I love movies so much,' says Elordi. Narrow Road is also a homecoming. It's his first Australian lead role since moving to Los Angeles in 2017 to pursue his acting career. That's part of why he takes the role so personally. It's not just himself he sees in the character – it's the world he left behind. 'There's this unspoken Australian thing I recognised here. There's so much of my dad in Dorrigo – this stoic Australian man – and all the men I grew up with. It's hard to put it into words – it's just something that's in our bones when you're born here,' Elordi says. When series director and co-creator Justin Kurtzel (Snowtown, The Order) approached Elordi for the role, he wasn't exactly sure what Elordi was about. He knew he was talented, but he had no idea how much Elordi cared about his craft – and cared about his homeland. Kurtzel says: 'In our first conversation, we talked a lot about Australia and being back here, and our love of Australian film. 'I was really impressed with his curiosity. He just felt like a serious actor who was deeply interested in the craft. He came at everything from that perspective rather than another one,' Kurtzel continues. The more you get to know Elordi, the more you find he is truly a student of the game. He's an avid subscriber to the Criterion Channel – a streaming service dedicated to classic and contemporary arthouse cinema – and calls the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman 'the greatest actor of all time'. In addition to reading the novel over and over, Elordi did a lot of digging into the history of film to prep for Narrow Road. In the series, his character is captured by the Japanese and forced to work on the Burma railway, leading him to revisit classics that tread similar terrain. 'There's so much cinema. There's Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence and Bridge Over the River Kwai. There's a lot of great collections on Criterion, too – particularly pre- and post-World War Two Japanese cinema. There's a tonne of poetry and a great book called Behind Bamboo too – it may not be popular media, but this was all really helpful to me,' says Elordi. For Kurtzel, much of filming Narrow Road was about getting out of the way and letting the performances of Elordi and his co-stars dominate. 'We wanted it to feel alive,' says Kurtzel. 'We shot hand-held for very, very long takes, and it was to try to make the actors feel as though they were kings on set, and we were just there to follow them. A lot of the energy of the show came from what they were giving us.' And when Elordi returned to Hollywood afterwards, he did so as a changed man. He deactivated his Instagram in November 2024 with more than 13 million followers – seemingly unthinkable in an era in which social media fame dictates someone's perceived value to film executives – and he's chugging headfirst into the next era of his career. Without the distractions that come with managing his public persona, Elordi is thriving. He'll star as Frankenstein's Monster in Oscar winner Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein, Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, and Hig in Ridley Scott's upcoming The Dog Stars, based on the bestselling novel. 'Now I have the freedom to make them on a regular basis and hopefully make good ones,' says Elordi. 'It's a dream come true.' BeIN Media Group is the rights holder of Narrow Road to the Deep North in the Mena region
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sheikh Mohammed walks inside Dubai Metro station, greets guests at Atlantis the Royal
Sheikh Mohammed walks inside Dubai Metro station, greets guests at Atlantis the Royal

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

Sheikh Mohammed walks inside Dubai Metro station, greets guests at Atlantis the Royal

Commuters on the Dubai Metro were in for a royal surprise when none other than Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, was spotted casually passing through a station. The UAE Royal was recently seen across the emirate—his latest appearance at Mall of the Emirates, where he strolled alongside staff along the mall's aisles. Sheikh Mohammed's latest appearance at the Dubai Metro station gave public transport commuters an up-close encounter with the UAE Ruler. Earlier this month, he visited a Dubai Tram station and waited patiently like any other passenger then rode the train. In a video posted online, Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, is seen walking on travellators which metro riders take to reach the station. Later on, the Ruler takes the electric escalator to go to the platform and wait for the train. View this post on Instagram A post shared by خاÙ�د اÙ�برÙ�طاÙ�Ù� (@khaliduk.32) Sheikh Mohammed then reaches the Sobha Realty Metro station on the metro red line. As with his other appearances this week, he was without armed guards, moving casually which is a striking contrast to many global leaders. View this post on Instagram A post shared by خاÙ�د اÙ�برÙ�طاÙ�Ù� (@khaliduk.32) During another visit to one of Dubai's many landmarks, Sheikh Mohammed walked inside Atlantis the Royal, cane in hand while greeting guests of the ultra luxury hotel.

♌ Leo Daily Horoscope for July 29, 2025
♌ Leo Daily Horoscope for July 29, 2025

UAE Moments

time8 hours ago

  • UAE Moments

♌ Leo Daily Horoscope for July 29, 2025

You're feeling bold, Leo — and the universe is vibing with your energy. Today's planetary shifts are all about momentum and motivation, helping you break through any lingering stagnation. Whether it's love, work, or personal wellness, lean into confidence (you wear it well). Career: You're in boss mode today. Your leadership skills are on fire, and people are paying attention. Use this energy to pitch that bold idea or take charge of a group project — just avoid being too overbearing. ❤️ Love: You're magnetic, but don't let ego drive the conversation. Singles could meet someone who actually keeps up with them, while couples find new sparks by doing something spontaneous together. Body: You have tons of energy — but remember, even lions need rest. Schedule some movement, but don't overdo it. Your body will thank you for balancing strength with stillness. Mental Health: Confidence is great until it becomes a mask. Check in with your deeper feelings and make sure you're not powering through something that actually needs healing. Pro Tip: A bold move made with grace wins hearts (and maybe promotions). Just don't confuse volume with value. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! This article was previously published on qatarmoments. To see the original article, click here

♈ Aries Daily Horoscope for July 29, 2025
♈ Aries Daily Horoscope for July 29, 2025

UAE Moments

time8 hours ago

  • UAE Moments

♈ Aries Daily Horoscope for July 29, 2025

You're not here to play small, Aries — and today proves it. The energy is high and your instincts are razor-sharp. It's a great day to act on something you've been hesitating about. Trust yourself, but remember: your power is most effective when it's focused, not scattered. Career: You're driven to take charge, but pause before bulldozing through obstacles (or coworkers). Channel your ambition into one key task and knock it out of the park. ❤️ Love: Passion is peaking. If you're single, someone unexpected might spark your interest. In a relationship? A heartfelt conversation can rekindle the fire — just be open, not reactive. Body: Your physical energy is unmatched today, so make the most of it. Go for a run, lift something heavy, or dance it out. Movement will clear your head and boost your mood. Mental Health: You may feel a bit impatient with delays or indecision. Breathe. Meditation or even a five-minute mental reset can keep your fire from burning out. Pro Tip: You don't have to prove your worth through constant motion. Intentional steps beat impulsive leaps. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! This article was previously published on qatarmoments. To see the original article, click here

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store