Stephen Rider on portraying raw emotion “What makes it challenging as an actor is to make sure that you’re coming into a scene revealing things that were shared through word of mouth or through the news. And yet as an actor, you still have to make sure that it’s being worn on you. Like when the audience is watching Hank in the back seat, and then Hank gets out the car, and, and even the way in which he and Ingrid kiss.”
Latasha M. Ford with Awards Buzz had a great chit chat with “IT: Welcome to Derry” star Stephen Rider who takes on the character of Hank throughout the hit HBO Max series. The conversation covered numerous topics and series highlights, offering a transparent look into Stephen’s journey to and through Derry. We discussed how unexpected encounters and spontaneity reveal life’s inherent beauty, and how to remain open to opportunities, much like preparing for an acting role.
Additionally, the discussion explored the subtle art of acting, focusing on conveying complex emotions through non-verbal cues, and the authentic portrayal of characters’ unspoken desires. Inspired by Viola Davis, Stephen and I delved into the secret to powerful acting: understanding one’s unique instrument and asking “why” to unlock deeper character portrayal and authentic performance.
This was one of the most lively and transparent chats yet. Check out the full interview below:
“I’m very thankful, people dream for this. It’s one thing to be on something, it’s another thing to be a part of something that, actually changes the very nature of culture or has the ability to impact people from all walks of life throughout the whole world. And I’ve, written this down in my journal.”
About ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’
Unquestionably, ‘It: Welcome to Derry’ is based on the iconic Stephen King novel and serves as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 films and delves into the origins of Pennywise the Clown (portrayed by Bill Skarsgård). Created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, the series is described as an intricate psychological horror that masterfully blends historical context, supernatural elements, and race relations with intense fear. While set in the past, the most watched series theme resonates strongly with current social issues.
‘It: Welcome to Derry’ premiered on October 26th on HBO and HBO Max at 9:00 p.m. ET, with new episodes dropping weekly every Sunday. Check out the official trailer below.
Official Trailer:
