Luke Fetherston is no stranger to bringing humor and heart to the screen, and in this interview, he opens up about his journey in Prime Video’s “Picture This”, his love for improvisation, and the personal connections he found with his character, Jay.

We first met in London for the photoshoot, where his energy was as effortless and charismatic as it is on screen. Then, catching up over Zoom, our conversation flowed with warmth and laughter, touching on everything from childhood cinema memories to his thoughts on solitude. In addition to his work on “Picture This”, Luke is also part of the season 3 of “The Wheel of Time” television series, proving to be an extremely versatile artist.

Whether reflecting on his favorite quotes, the joys of collaboration, or his biggest fears, Luke gives us a glimpse into both his professional and personal world – one filled with authenticity, spontaneity, and an appreciation for the unknown.

What’s your first cinema memory?

It was probably something like “Beauty and the Beast”, back when Disney used to do screenings in cinemas. I remember my mom was always telling me that I hid beneath the chairs in the cinema when the Beast came on [laughs].

Yeah, of course, that’s one of the scariest Disney movies for me, along with Snow White – I used to hide behind the chair like you when the Evil Queen turned into the old lady…

Yes, that was terrifying!

Speaking of “Picture This”, what was your first impression when you read the script? Did your perspective on the story change as you filmed?

It was a really collaborative experience, so where I wanted to change or slightly alter the character, I was gratefully allowed to do that. When I first read the script, I found it really funny.

My character, Jay, is the gay best friend, and typically roles like that can be put here and there for comedic relief, but what I enjoyed so much is that Jay was a constant throughout Pia’s journey; so, he wasn’t just entering in to make someone laugh, and it felt more accurate to my relationships with my girlfriends in the respects that he was always there for her, and he had an emotional arch that was parallel to Pia’s.

So, which parallels can you see between yourself and Jay? How much of yourself did you put into the role?

To start off, the film is set in Hackney, and Jay is in his 30s – I live in Hackney myself and I’m in my 30s. His humor is different to mine, but, overall, I felt like he was right up my street, so I didn’t have to dig too deep to find him if I’m honest. I know I could perhaps say something profound about how I got into character, but what was on the page was relevant to who I am as a person, and it made my job easier.

Was there any room for improvisation?

Of course! The joy of doing comedy is that you get to improvise. As I said, the director, Prarthana Mohan, was more than happy for me to do that throughout, in fact, she encouraged me to do it, and it was really fun. A lot of it made it into film, I’m very happy!

At some point in the film, Pia and Jay are talking about Charlie and his relationship with Pia, and she says, “Charlie has moved on,” and you say, “Maybe it’s time you do, too” – which is easier said than done, I think, but necessary. Have you ever had a hard time moving on after some kind of situation?

Absolutely, as we all have. Breakups, loss of family members – those moments are just as important in life as the happy celebratory moments. I think they’re life experiences that shape us as people, and certainly we have to go on those experiences when approaching a script. It makes us more fruitful artists.

It’s all relevant, I would say.

If you, like Pia, could meet a spiritual guru, what would you like them to predict?

I don’t think I would like to meet one. I don’t like the idea of someone suggesting something about my future and waiting for it to happen… I like the unknown, if I’m honest, so I feel like I’m happy to go on my journey by myself and figure it out my own way.

And what about your screen partner? How did you and Simone Ashley worked together to create the chemistry we can see on screen? Wasn’t it the first time you met?

Actually, it wasn’t. Simone and I briefly met when she was about 15 years old. She was doing a summer school in London, and I was helping my friend who was choreographing in a show that she was involved in. So, I worked with Simone for about a week; I didn’t remember specifically, but we knew each other. Then, we bumped into each other again when she was doing “Sex Education”, which was perhaps five years later, and then in my final callback for “Picture This”.

She possibly remembers me more because I was the teacher – you know, you tend to remember who taught you things when you were younger. It was very easy to create the relationship between Jay and Pia because we had some experience together before and then it very easily became what I hope you see on screen, which is an organic kind of fun.

What was the most fun scene to shoot for you? The ending credits scene for example, was hilarious, I loved it.

The dance! Yeah, that was really fun because the whole cast was there. Often, you watch a movie and you see everyone on screen and think they’re all super close; actually, I was very rarely with the rest of the cast, but that day was really fun. By the way, when we shot that scene, it was 3 am and absolutely freezing in that huge conservatory gardens, which made it slightly less enjoyable [laughs].

Other than that, perhaps, the scene with Pia and Jay, when Jay turns up and turns into Pia’s fourth date – that was a very nice day shooting, because it was just Simone and I and the crew. In that scene, we have the sentimental moment when Jay explains his coming out story, and then Pia catches her hair on fire, which was quite ridiculous, so it was a very fun day.

I loved that part, as well!

Also, I love when Pia and Sonal make fun of their mother for her “abuse” of famous quotes (like Dumbledoor’s, Brian Adams’…). Is there a quote you like to use or someone in particular you like to quote?

There’s a quote that my dad told me years ago, just before I went to college: “Luke, you’re only as good as the risks you take”. I vividly remember him saying that to me in our house, and it stuck with me throughout my life.

There’s also another quote from Tom Ford I like to mention: he was once asked how he felt at school, and he said something along the lines of “I thought I was fabulous, and everyone else was stupid” [laughs]. I remember being at school feeling very similar.

“Luke, you’re only as good as the risks you take”

What makes you say yes to a project?

It’s hard to say. It’s when you read a script and you get that initial innate response, that something about the script that makes you feel like you align so well with the character. I think as an actor, variety and diversity is key – I tend to do a lot of comedy, so I am, often, looking out for something slightly more dramatic or romantic because I have established myself in the comedy genre, so, when those scripts come in, perhaps a fantasy or something, it is more appealing to me.

Anyway, it’s just wonderful to work, it’s such a gift to be an actor, and I have so much fun on set. I do say no a lot and it’s perhaps easier for me to say no – I think about what doesn’t align with me rather than what does.

And when you approach a character, do you tend to be more rational or emotional?

I’d say I follow my instincts. That’s fundamentally where I start. I would say I’m quite a visual person, so I really like to visualize the character, and I try to have as much say as possible in what the character wears. I feel like what we wear as people every day massively impacts the way you’re perceived by people and the way you want to be perceived by people. Sometimes, I question why actors don’t want to have any impact in what they’re wearing because it’s not their job, there’s a whole costume department to do that. However, I really like to make friends with the costume department and send mood boards, especially if it’s something set in modern day where I’m capable of dressing myself; if it’s something more period, or fantasy, obviously there’s limits to what I can suggest [laughs]. But these are things that I like to do.

You act in movies, but what’s your favorite genre of movies to watch from the other side?

I really love psychological thrillers, that’s what I gravitate to. I like the suspense, perhaps the slight horror aspect and the adrenaline. Most of the time, I watch them with my eyes covered, but I enjoy that feeling!

And would you like to act in one of those movies?

Maybe no because the magic would end!

You know, when you’re an actor and you’re watching a film, sometimes you take yourself out of it and you go, “How many shots have they done? What angles have they done?”, and the magic is ruined. So, perhaps, maybe I should avoid it if I want to keep enjoying the genre.

You, actors, have the chance to get to know yourselves in depth also thanks to the many lives you live. What’s the latest thing you discovered about yourself thanks to your job?

I don’t think I discovered anything specifically that I didn’t know. But maybe I found the joy of collaboration when meeting new actors. The cast of “Picture This” is so talented and they have a huge wealth of experience. I discovered I really enjoy those moments with other actors who all have different lenses on the way they look at the world and other people, and soaking that all up.

I don’t know if you’re a binge-watcher, but if you are, what was your latest binge?

It was called “American Primeval” on Netflix, it was incredible, and the lead actress in it, Betty Gilpin, was so amazing, the whole cast is fantastic.

What makes you laugh the most?

My comedy heroes from growing up, Robin Williams and Jim Carrey.

What pisses you off the most, instead?

People who are late. I hate lateness so much. You know, my flat mate is always late, and it drives me nuts.

What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance to talk to him?

I think I wouldn’t want to speak to my younger self for fear of derailing where he might have got to, which is here.

That’s very wise.

Speaking of a theme that’s very dear to me, something that you actors probably experience in one way of another, solitude: I think some people dream of it, others are terrified by it, some are “forced” to co-exist with it. Films, for instance, are a collective work, but actors, I think, need to sit with themselves in solitude in order to “become someone else”. What’s your relationship with solitude? Do you ever feel the need to isolate, up to a point where you hope it happens?

Loneliness is certainly not something that I would want to escape from. It has a negative connotation which I don’t think it should have because people that are in a relationship can often be the loneliest people.

I don’t usually feel lonely, but in the times that I have, I’ve very happily sat in that feeling and realized that it’s all part of a human experience.

What’s your biggest fear?

My biggest fear is a very boring one because I’m very claustrophobic. You know when you see those people that go into tunnels? That idea is just terrifying to me!

The book on your nightstand right now?

I’ve just finished “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller. It is exceptional, I cannot believe it’s not been turned into a film or TV show, it’s one of the best gay romance novels I’ve read in a long time.

What does it mean to you to feel comfortable in your own skin?

It’s a privilege to feel comfortable in your own skin.

It means living authentically in myself and with my friends, finding the people that you can exist in a safe space with, where you’re not judged. Finding those spaces is really important. It’s non-negotiable, to be living authentically and be comfortable in my own skin, it takes time, and has taken time for me, but now it’s just standard.

What’s “home” to you?

It’s friends and family.

What’s your happy place? Is it probably the same?

Maybe not family! [laughs] They serve different purposes, don’t they?

My happy place would be with my very close friends, wherever we may be, whether we’re on a holiday together or out dancing or sat at home watching films. That’s where I feel most happy.

Photos & Video by Johnny Carrano.

Grooming by Nohelia Reyes.

Styling by Gareth Scourfield.

Thanks to Prosper PR.

LOOK 1

Shirt and trousers: Connolly

White vest: Mr P

Shoes: Grenson

Rings, necklace and bracelet: Serge Denimes

LOOK 2

Knitted tank top: Mr P

Trousers: Edward Sexton

Belt: Anderson’s

Shoes: Harrys London

Jewellery: Serge Denimes

LOOK 3

Knitted sweater: WAX London

Jeans: Prada

Boots: Harrys London

Jewellery: Serge Denimes

White vest: Mr P

Cardigan: Percival