Jesse, thanks for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Growing up in Calgary, how did your surroundings influence your path to acting?
The small market meant the acting community was much more accessible. There were only a few casting directors at the time, so it was easy to cold-call and build personal relationships with them. Due to a lack of a “star system,” many of the working actors in Calgary—whom I grew up idolizing—still performed in small theatre shows. This gave me the chance to rub elbows with them in my first onstage roles. Trevor Leigh, who I’d consider Calgary theatre royalty, was someone I admired for years, and I eventually got the chance to work with him in a little black box play—and even dog-sit his pup!
Calgary’s awe-inspiring landscapes are world-renowned and have attracted prestige projects like Interstellar, Inception, The Revenant, Fargo, and Brokeback Mountain. These productions elevated local crews to some of the best in the industry, creating an exceptional environment for learning and growth in film.
Despite being a smaller market, Calgary provides abundant opportunities for high-quality independent projects—whether web series, feature films, or Christmas movies. These smaller-scale productions allowed me to take on larger roles earlier in my career, which was invaluable for my development as a performer.
What was it about “Law & Order” that made you think, “I want to do that for a living”?
Growing up, my bedroom was in the basement, so I’d often sneakily stay up late watching TV. A&E marathons of Law & Order were a favorite. Like most kids, I went through a phase of wanting to be a cop, then a lawyer, before realizing I could become an actor and do both—without the years of law school!
One of my Grade 5 teachers, who was quite progressive, replaced book reports with mock trials. We had to prove “beyond a shadow of a doubt” that we’d read the assigned book. Thanks to my late-night Law & Order “research,” I won my fair share of court cases. Little did I know, those late nights were preparing me for a career in acting.
What I appreciated most about Law & Order was how specialized the world felt. The characters were deeply immersed in their jobs, especially when the stakes were so high. To do it well, the actors needed preparation and research to effortlessly make it look like they’d been doing those jobs their entire fictitious careers.
Plus, I loved how Law & Order let its characters evolve over time while keeping episodic storytelling as the focus. It’s long been a dream of mine to take on a role like that —a character with both professional and personal stakes that evolves over multiple seasons.
Can you take us back to that moment in Grade 7 with your drama teacher? How did that experience light the fire for your acting passion?
The moment it all clicked for me was in Grade 7, when my drama teacher, Mr. Blaxley, stopped me in the hallway and said, “You’re auditioning for the play after school.” I hemmed and hawed, telling him I was too busy, but he just said, “I’m telling you. I’m not asking.” One audition and a lead role later, I was hooked.
I’m incredibly grateful to Mr. Blaxley (and all my drama teachers in school) for seeing something in me worth nurturing. It gave me the confidence I hadn’t felt before and ignited my love for storytelling, which has only grown since.
How did your time at the University of Victoria shape your skills and prepare you for the acting world?
The UVic program was an amazing liberal arts program that filled my toolbox with skills, many of which I didn’t necessarily realize I had learned until years later.
I remember a particular exercise around breathing that, at the time, seemed quite silly. But since then, I’ve used it numerous times to connect emotionally to a character, often with powerful results.
I was also exposed to technical theatre and stagecraft, theatre history (including Canadian theatre history, which was fascinating—I ended up learning about many Canadian actors who are now peers and clients), and practical marketing skills. The university ran a full season of public plays, like a professional theatre company, which gave me valuable, hands-on experience in all sorts of different areas of production.
One of the most valuable lessons I took from UVic was the importance of versatility and collaboration. Whether I was building sets or performing monologues, it taught me to approach every part of a production with respect and curiosity. Shooting a TV show or film takes a village, and UVic instilled in me an appreciation for the value of every contribution on set.
What was it like diving into the acting scene in Calgary? Any memorable moments from those early days?
Diving into the Calgary acting scene was an incredible mix of opportunity and challenge. It often meant long days outside in freezing temperatures—it’s practically a rite of passage in Alberta! Those experiences taught me resilience and gave me a deep appreciation for the collaborative nature of filmmaking. Some of my favourite moments on set involved cast and crew huddled around a propane heater, swapping stories, and doing whatever we could to stay warm. I’ve probably gone through more hand warmers than I can count.
One standout Alberta project was The Revenant. Working on such an ambitious production gave me a firsthand view of extraordinary talent and creativity under high expectations and tough conditions. It taught me the importance of staying focused and always being prepared to deliver your best, no matter the challenges—whether it’s the biting cold or long, grueling days.
Those lessons came full circle on The Recruit, where some of the big set pieces demanded everything we had as performers. One scene, in particular, brought me back to those Alberta days—being outside in freezing temperatures, doing whatever it took to get the shot. Drawing on those early experiences in Calgary helped me stay sharp, adaptable, and fully present under pressure.
Landing a role in “Fargo” must have been huge! How did that change things for you?
Fargo was a pivotal moment in my career. Though my role was credited in only one episode, I filmed scenes across multiple episodes and had the privilege of working alongside Patrick Wilson, Kirsten Dunst, Ted Danson, and Nick Offerman. Watching how they carried the responsibility of being series regulars was an incredible learning experience. Patrick Wilson, in particular, stood out as the captain of the ship—his work ethic, professionalism, and care for others set the tone for the entire production. Seeing that firsthand was inspiring, and I see a lot of those same leadership qualities in Noah Centineo on The Recruit.
Before Fargo, I debated splitting my time between Calgary and Vancouver, but a well-known Vancouver agent advised me that breaking into that market would be challenging without a major credit. Staying in Calgary for one more year turned out to be the right call—it became my most successful year yet. Fargo wasn’t just another credit; it gave me the confidence to take a bigger leap.
That experience ultimately pushed me to move to Toronto and say, “I belong here.” Signing with my agent—whom I’ve now been with for nearly a decade—was a direct result of that milestone. It’s a moment in my career I’ll always be grateful for.
What inspired your move to Toronto, and how has the city influenced your career journey?
My move to Toronto was driven by both necessity and ambition. I had been balancing a 9-to-5 job in Calgary while acting but was running out of opportunities after booking many of the long-standing TV shows, like Hell on Wheels. When I was suddenly laid off, it felt like the push I needed. It came right after my best professional year—booking significant credits like Fargo and Hell on Wheels—and it felt like a now-or-never moment.
I debated between Vancouver and Toronto but ultimately chose Toronto because it felt like a bigger leap of faith. I didn’t want the safety net of being able to drive home overnight if things didn’t work out.
Toronto forces you to level up—it’s a city where coasting isn’t an option. The industry here is incredibly competitive: you either have a show on CBC, or you don’t. There’s no room for faking it, and that pressure has pushed me to grow both as an actor and a professional.
Toronto shaped not just my craft, but how I approach the business—from building relationships to creating opportunities like The Craft Self Tape Studio. It’s where I learned to seize opportunities, adapt, and innovate.
The move was risky, but it taught me the value of going all in. I truly believe you define your own success. If your goal is to win an Oscar, you can! People win them every year. But you need to set your life up to make that goal realistic. For me, Toronto was the next logical step in making my ambitions a reality.
Out of all the characters you’ve played, which one challenged you the most, and what did you learn from it?
It’s definitely Dodge. Returning to a show and a cast brought a unique set of challenges, especially knowing the writers were crafting something specifically for me rather than me finding my way into an already-defined character. It meant rising to the occasion and proving that I deserved the trust of Alexi (Hawley, The Recruit creator and showrunner) and the producers by taking on more narrative responsibility.
I didn’t want to give them any reason to minimize the character or replace me. I committed to the work — I spent a lot of time in the gym to prepare for the season, familiarizing myself with firearms, and researching factual accounts of covert ops, making sure that Dodge was ready and capable, for whatever was asked.
One of the highlights across both season 1 and season 2 was working alongside the stunningly talented Angel Parker. She’s someone who has regularly worked in major productions her entire career. Watching her navigate the business of acting and her role on set taught me so much. She’s an incredible example of how to take up space on set in the best way possible—creating room to do your very best work.
Tell us about The Craft Self Tape Studio. What inspired you to start it, and how does it help other actors?
When I moved to Toronto in 2015, I found myself in a brand-new city without any “employable skills.” I couldn’t serve, I couldn’t bartend, and, as a typical entitled Millennial, I didn’t believe in doing work I didn’t love. I’d always been a hobbyist photographer, so as self-taping became more common, I started shooting my own auditions using my equipment and technical expertise. Friends began asking for help with their tapes, and eventually, I realized there was enough demand to turn it into a business. So, I took the leap.
The Craft Self Tape Studio was born out of my own journey as an actor. I wanted to create a space where actors could not only produce professional-quality self-tapes but also leave feeling more confident, prepared, and better at their craft. We do way more than press the record button—we actively collaborate with actors to bring out their best. Whether it’s breaking down a script, uncovering subtext, or fine-tuning a performance, we’re there to guide, challenge, and support them every step of the way.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see our clients book roles, but more than that, we’re proud to help them grow into confident, capable performers. The Craft Self Tape Studio has become a trusted space where actors feel supported, inspired, and empowered to push their boundaries—and that’s what keeps us going.
We’re excited about your return as Dodge in “The Recruit.” What can fans look forward to this season?
Everything has been dialed up this season—more action, more laughs, and, of course, more Noah Centineo charm. It’s bigger and bolder in every way.
I’m going to have to keep things tight-lipped, but Dawn and Dodge really get up to some fun this season. You’ll see what makes them such an effective duo, and we get to learn more about their shared history. Dodge proves again why Dawn has made him her right hand—he’s quick, resourceful, and the guy you want by your side in a crisis. This season also tests their partnership in ways it never has before, adding new layers to their dynamic. #Dawdge—I’m really trying to make that hashtag happen!
The shift to a Korean setting brings fresh energy to the show. Working with the Korean cast additions and their translators was incredibly special. We had great conversations about the differences in our industries, and they generously shared their culture—especially their amazing food. Our cultural exchange? Watching the Super Bowl together for the second season in a row!
For those wanting to keep up with your work, where’s the best place to follow your journey?
@jessecollin.actor is the best place for updates. You’ll find coffee photos, cocktail bar adventures, kayaking, behind-the-scenes looks at The Recruit, and more.
You can also follow @torontoselftape
Ever thought about stepping behind the camera? Any dreams of directing or producing in the future?
I’ve definitely seen enough Christmas movie scripts through The Craft Self Tape Studio to know I’d love to direct one someday. Other actors often ask me if stepping behind the camera is on the horizon, and the truth is, it’s something I’ve been thinking about more and more.
Directing or producing will absolutely be in my future—it’s just a matter of finding the right story and the right opportunity. The Recruit Season 3, perhaps? Or maybe a Dawn and Dodge spin-off? You never know!
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