Adolyn H Dar is a rising actor who landed his first professional role in the Sci-fi Tv series ‘People of Earth (TBS) His first big break came when he was cast in The Expanse (SYFY) He’s been recognized with a 2023 ACTRA Toronto Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance for his role as Imran in the film ‘Desi Standard Time Travel ‘. We caught up to discuss the role and his blossoming career.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. For readers unfamiliar with you and your background, what drew you to a career in the arts?
I’ve always been drawn to stories and the power they have to shape our cognition and culture. But mostly I love adventure, and I really love good vs evil stories. I know we want nuances, but I mean I’m a sucker for a great hero who does the right thing despite all odds. I find that so motivating.
You pursued a career in cognitive science, in part to support your family. Was there ever a great enough desire or interest in the subject for you to pursue a long-term career, particularly with the uncertainty of an acting success?
I never thought I would be an actor. I was dead set on a Ph.D. in cog sci or clinical psychology and taking my youth work background to balance counseling and research.
And I still do, I work in the mental health field and no matter how successful I become as an actor I hope to always give back to the next generation and support through either funding or my own participation in the work in mental health. Cognitive science made me a better person and I think that has helped my career as an actor immensely.
Thankfully, others benefit from your academic training via your work supporting mental health initiatives. Please tell us more about your work with companies such as Ontrack.
I really appreciate you asking about this! These projects were like art pieces for me. ONTrack was a partnership between many organizations across Ontario and we built a recreation and wellness program for individuals with mild to moderate mood disorders. It was a research study of sorts, asking the question “Do community interventions improve social determinants of these vulnerable sectors?”. And the short answer is yes, and hell yes! We need to continue to fund these programs. It was free. People came for the community, stayed for the fitness, and by end of the two years saw drastic improvements in their conditions. The video reviews they sent me afterward thanking me and the team brought me to tears and will continue to stay with me.
I continue to work in the field as an expert, adapting DEI within a mental health framework and discuss topics such as unconscious bias, belonging, and now AI as well using my cog sci background. I find it harmonizes well with my artistic passions – science and art are two sides of the same coin. We just have to realize that coin has value.
Who were your early acting influences and how did they impact your career?
Voice actors: such as Kevin Conroy Shahrukh Khan from good ol’ Bollywood. I grew up watching comedy, Whose Line got me into improv and I hope one day to work with Steve Carrel – who I just saw in LA a few weeks ago so I hope he reads this and decides to cast me in his next project. That’s how fate works right?
Your break came with a part in the sci-fi series ‘People of Earth (TBS) Can you recall your experiences on set and how did this match your expectations?
Yeah, my first TV credit! It was so great; everyone was so nice and my whole role was to make shocked expressions as the actors trashed my character. No better way to spend an afternoon.
You’ve built a comprehensive body of work and featured in several successful and popular productions, including Superman and Lois, Endlings, and ‘Designated Survivor, with Kiefer Sutherland. What now attracts you to a role?
I like roles that are equally challenging as they are easy. It really depends on the project and the people for me. The set has to be well-run, kind, and full of energy and fun. We have to be able to laugh, as what we get to do is so so privileged and so unique that I don’t ever want to take it for granted. And so I hope whomever I work with also creates that kind of environment.
I’m really looking forward to expanding my comedy chops in upcoming roles as well as moving into more action-oriented roles. I haven’t had a chance to show off that side of me, but I’m fairly athletic and with a bit of training think I would love to cross off an action role from my bucket list. But – life has a way of giving you what you need, not necessarily what you want so I’m open.
What three traits define you?
Light-hearted and funny. Just smart enough to know he’s not that smart.
Please tell us about your latest projects Desi Standard Time Travel and Fat Lady Sriracha
Desi Standard is a heartwarming story that will leave you hugging your loved ones by the end. And FLS was an opportunity to play a character I rarely get to play (the jerk!).
What other projects are in the pipeline?
I just wrapped a short film with some great names attached. It was a passion project and I can’t wait for everyone to see it. I’m also finished my children’s book and am looking to publish it – it’s a story that talks about mental health without talking about mental health for children and I think, like DSTT, it’s a story that will leave you hugging as well.
Where can our readers find out more about you?
Insta: adolynhd or my IMDB: Adolyn H. Dar
Images by ElanaEmer provided by Amira de Vera
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