Alex Tarrant has joined the “NCIS” series, in its new version anchored in Hawaii, just released in Argentina. photo AXN
Alessio Tarrant is part of a long list of New Zealand actors and directors who have tried to make their way into Hollywood and follow in the footsteps of Russell Crowe, Taika Waititi, Sam Neil and the recent Academy Award for Best Director, Jane Campion.
Away from those kiwi stars who have already made their mark, Tarrant received his first mainstream role in a large and long-running franchise such as NCISwhich just premiered its new version anchored in Hawaii in Argentina and It can be seen on AXN, every Tuesday at 10:05 pm..
“Getting into such a big franchise is a little scary. I don’t know if I’ve worked out how popular the series is yet. I think he’s getting more success as the season progresses, ”says this actor who grew up in the small coastal town of Raglan on the north island of New Zealand, which has Maori, Samoan and Niuan ancestry.
“I don’t know if I’ve worked out how popular the series is yet,” actor Alex Tarrant told Clarín. photo AXN
While the parent series is in its nineteenth season, the franchise continues to expand with this new action story – and touches of humor – centered around the United States Navy’s Criminal Investigation Service based on Peaceful Island.
Tarrant plays Kai Holman, the fledgling local agent on the team led by Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey), the first female lieutenant in charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor.
“Right now we are discovering how big it is in Latin America. So I’m a little shocked, ”adds Tarrant in a video conference with Clarione and various media across the continent.
The take-off of the Tarrant pandemic
“In the past two years, my career has taken off,” the New Zealand actor is honest. Photo AXN
Tarrant’s career exploded in the midst of the pandemic. In addition to this role, Alex worked The rings of powerthe series inspired by the universe of The Lord of the Rings and which will debut on September 2 on Amazon Prime Video.
“My career has taken off in the past two years. I spent about eight years working in the New Zealand television industry. My big break was during the pandemic: I was chosen to do it Lord of the Rings and now inside NCIS: Hawaii”Says Alessio.
“I am very happy with what is happening to me and I don’t think much about the future, because right now I feel I have everything I want. So we’ll see what happens “, he muses. He adds:” I’m grateful and very lucky to live in Hawaii, where the weather is always very hot. “
“Playing a native Hawaiian is intimidating, because even though it’s a similar culture to ours, there are some differences,” says Tarrant. photo AXN
-What do you remember when they told you you were in “NCIS: Hawaii”?
-I am from New Zealand. And playing a native Hawaiian is intimidating, because even though it’s a similar culture to ours, there are some differences. I had the impostor syndrome. At first I thought he didn’t fit in. But as the show went on, it was nice to feel accepted by Hawaiians and their culture.
-What happened to you when you found out that a woman would become the leader of the NCIS team and how did Kai, your character, help her?
-The main character is Vanessa Lachey, who plays Jane Tennant. And it’s very easy for Kai to find her place on the team because Tennant has a lot of energy, he’s very precise in her decisions. For Kai Holman, regardless of gender, it is an honor to have someone with such a strong moral compass, that she knows exactly how to manage a team and makes it easy for everyone to find their place.
The “Rings of Power” series was filmed in Auckland, New Zealand, the home of Tarrant. photo AXN
-What was your first approach to the “NCIS” world?
– Honestly, I’m still trying to get drenched. I don’t quite understand what’s happening now. I feel lucky to be a part of the show, and I pinch myself sometimes, especially when I feel that in Mexico and other countries it’s such a big program. I don’t finish calculating what’s going on in my life.
Local credit for “The Rings of Power”
Even if the focus of this virtual round table is on NCIS: Hawaiiinevitably comes the question about the rings of powerJRR Tolkien’s first universe series, set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit Y The Lord of the Rings.
Just as the film saga had a strong New Zealand footprint, from the locations to its director, Peter Jackson, the new production will also have a kiwi setting, since it was shot in Auckland.
Similarities. “Kai is a serious guy and I think I am too,” he says of his character in the series, which airs on Tuesdays. photo AXN
Tarrant, one of the few main actors in the cast to play the role of the venue, was blown away by his character The Rings…. “I’m not really sure what I can say. The only thing I can tell you is that my experience on the show has been incredible,” he said.
“I’ve learned a lot, I’ve met amazing people and I’m very excited to see the results. Because there are a lot of expectations. I, as an actor and as a fan of the Tolkien world, am waiting for it to be released,” he just said.
The rookie in an expanding franchise
NCIS It has been on the air for 19 uninterrupted years and has given birth to two other spin-offs: NCIS: Los Angeles Y NCIS: New Orleans, which had its final episode last year. The franchise is said to have its first international offshoot NCIS: Sydney.
Hawaii is the third spin-off series, the first to be led by a woman. She is Special Agent Jane Tennant, in charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, who has grown equally confident and strategic in a system that has rejected her at every step.
“NCIS: Hawaii” is the third spin-off in the long series.
Along with Kai Holman, Jesse Boone (Noah Mills), Lucy Tara (Yasmine Al-Bustami), part of her steadfast team, she balances duty to family and country as she investigates high-risk crimes involving military personnel, the national security and the mysteries of the sun-kissed island paradise itself.
Tarrant talked about the differences and similarities with Kai, his character; about his adaptation to the series and how his life has changed since he joined the franchise.
“Kai is a serious guy and I think I am too. He’s a focused guy, he doesn’t like distractions, he likes to focus on one thing at a time. And for me, as an actor, he forces me to be more connected, with down to earth, because he’s a down-to-earth character and I tend to be more ethereal, lighter. So it’s a big challenge for me. “
Vanessa Lachey plays Jane Tennant, the first woman to lead an NCIS team.
-What have you learned since joining the series?
-When I get to Hawaii, what I had to learn the most was the American accent, because it was terrible. Over time I think it has improved a bit. I’m waiting for the second season, so I’m still working on this aspect. As for Kai, he is the rookie. And I’m late for the show, so I really feel like I’m the new guy. But as the season and I as an actor have evolved, I feel like we’re united as a team.
-How much has your life changed with the series? Have your social networks grown?
I don’t touch my social networks. My dear and lovely wife – he is married to New Zealand actress Lucinda Hare, with whom he has a son – is the person who takes care of him. I am far from that world, also because I am not a super technological person. I love acting, but that part of the industry isn’t very interesting to me. It seems crazy to me to talk to all of you. I am not very comfortable now, but in time I will be able to enjoy it. It’s all happening so fast and I’m trying to figure it out.
POS
Source: Clarin
