Photography by Elisaveta Abrahall
Paul Eryk Atlas is known for his work on Wuthering Heights (2018), LOVE/HATE (2017) and Broken Strings (2016). We had an opportunity to interview him. Check out the interview below.
Hi, Paul! Thank you for granting the interview. We’re excited to chat about your body of work! Tell us about your latest production Wuthering Heights.
Hello there, I’m delighted that you’d ask. Yes, the body of work is steadily increasing which is always a good thing. Wuthering Heights, which is to be released in 2018 ( for Emily Brontë’s bicentenary year) is a full-length adaptation of the original book, spanning through all of the 30 or so years in the story. I was contacted by the producers and director in November 2015 and invited to audition in Stratford Upon Avon. This was my first screen audition, so I felt more nervous than I would have usually done; I was definitely not used to having cameras in an audition room with me. It was one of those auditions that were an absolute blur, I met and read with Catherine ( played by Sha’ori Morris) for four scenes. Upon leaving the audition, shaking the panels’ hands, I remember being absolutely dazed, so took myself off for a coffee, thinking, “Well, I tried!” Upon walking through the door when arriving home, I received an email saying that the company would like to offer me the part of Heathcliff. I read and reread the email several times and for a good reason. Unfortunately, I’d made the mistake before of misreading email rejections when actually I’d been accepted, so I wanted to make very VERY sure I was reading it right.
My mood shifted from utter delight to absolute terror within about five minutes! I was being asked to play Heathcliff, one of the most iconic characters in English literary history. Although amazing news, this was a lot of pressure and a pressure that has both helped and someone hindered the last year of filming. We are all our worst critics, after all. However, through filming, I feel that I have grown and matured as a performer and hopefully, audiences will find something really raw yet relatable about my version of Heathcliff.
You recently wrapped production on LOVE/HATE. You play Adam. Tell us more.
I did. Love/Hate has just had its online release and it is a piece of work I am immensely proud of. I play Adam, a love-struck and obsessive photographer who is living and working with his girlfriend. The film explores the demolition of a relationship in a very abstract and fluid way, something which I greatly admire about director Brad James. His visual storytelling is something that really attracted me to the project in the first place. The shoot was over two days, I got to work with the lovely Sally Smithson and the James Brothers, something which I am keen to do again in the future. The shoot contained a lot of improvisational work. My part actually was entirely improvised and you never actually hear anything of what Adam says, you just see it. I feel it makes it very powerful indeed especially with Sally’s glorious voice over.
Your career is off to a great start. How have the appearances shaped your career?
My career is definitely still in its infancy. In this industry, it seems the more you get yourself out there, the easier it is for other projects and employers can see what you can do. I know that it has been mostly through performance jobs that I have received offers of other work, so it’s a snowball effect. Wuthering Heights, of course, hasn’t been released just yet, but hopefully, when it does it may create more exciting opportunities to try for.
Your career is soaring. Are you happy with the direction it’s going in, thus far?
My career is certainly moving and moving very quickly, which I definitely prefer. I think most people like to be busy. I myself love getting onboard with creative on new projects. I have a background in design and illustration, so whenever I start a project I love to know all about the visual styles they’re going for. It has in some cases swayed me towards projects that I mightn’t have been in a hurry to consider right off the bat. So far I am very happy and humbled to have worked with some very talented people.
Is there a particular role you would love to play in a production?
What actor doesn’t want to kill a White Walker in Game of Thrones?! Haha. I am very fond of fantasy, period drama but also sci-fi genre aside, I think all role-wise, most roles all have their appeal and their challenges. I have been lucky with Heathcliff that’s for sure, as he is such an iconic character. Maybe another character adapted from a book? I’d love to play Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the entertainment industry?
Several things; I love that I get to work and meet with some truly amazing, creative and talented people.
I love getting up in a morning and getting to become someone else. Working with Elisaveta Abrahall over the past year on “Wuthering Heights” has been a joy and a challenge; her screenplay is stunning, and I have savored every moment that I have been Heathcliff. With Brad James with Love/Hate, we approached the film in a very visual and organic way, which was very refreshing for me. His film is beautiful and I’m honored to have been a part of it.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
That would be telling, wouldn’t it? I am in talks with a few directors in both film and theater at the moment about their projects so fingers crossed, and watch this space.
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
Exactly what I am doing now. I’d be developing my skills and keeping grinding at the grindstone. Unless I have to fight for it, work hard to achieve it, and have earned my right to be in that situation, job or audition, then where’s the satisfaction for me? In an ideal world, I’d love to do film or TV drama, something gritty and current; I am already putting in the groundwork to get there. That is my goal.
Featured Image: Photography by Elisaveta Abrahall.
Connect with Paul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/atlas_paul
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