Marcus Rutherford is about to hit the big time with a lead role in the Amazon Prime blockbusting TV series The Wheel of Time.
However his true love has a bit less sorcery and a lot more singing.
"I’ve got a real soft spot for musicals!" Rutherford tells us. "Growing up my sister and mum were obsessed with them so I kind of found myself always having them on in the house."
A keen West Side Story fan, Rutherford will doubtless be anticipating Steven Spielberg's upcoming remake of the old Jets vs Sharks rivalry.
Hopefully he'll have the chance to showcase his own vocal skills in the future – although with Robert Jordan's book series spanning 14 volumes, Rutherford may be tied up for some time. Best get that wheel turning...
Life
What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?
The Wheel Of Time is a project I’ve been working on for quite some time now and I’m very excited for people to see it.
Due to the pandemic it’s taken especially long for the release so I’m extremely excited for that.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
I think joining the cast of The Wheel Of Time. Working alongside young talented actors from around the world whilst also starting this journey off with the likes of Rosamund Pike was an incredibly proud moment.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
I wouldn’t want to linger in the past too much, but perhaps more theatre experience or training. I hope it’s something I can achieve in the future.
I also feel I could’ve committed a lot earlier to acting but I also feel that in that time I gained a lot of life experience which is also invaluable.
What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?
I would love to have something I’ve written produced. I have a few writing projects that are incredibly rough and not solid ideas yet, but I hope in the future one of them could be created in to a film or tv show.
Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?
My closest friend is a huge inspiration to me. We work in completely different lines of work but his drive to constantly prove himself whilst striving to be more knowledgeable and experienced in his work is a huge inspiration.
Seeing where the education system planned him to be by now to where he is, is full credit to his ambition, hard work and talent.
Tell us something nobody knows about you…
I’ve got a real soft spot for musicals haha! Growing up my sister and mum were obsessed with them so I kind of found myself always having them on in the house.
West Side Story for me is the ultimate and for me can’t really be topped.
Style
What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?
I have an Adidas fleece that isn’t particularly fancy but is something I wear almost every winter. I’ve had it for a while so it holds different memories.
I’ve worn it to raves as a student, to football practice and now on location whilst I film outdoors in the cold.
It’s a cool design but most of all it’s comfortable and practical so I’m reluctant to get rid of it.
Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?
I have a golden chain that my mum got me for my birthday. After seeing Normal People I realise my mum was probably heavily influenced by that.
I’m not one for wearing much jewellery but this particular chain is a favourite and I feel always spruces up an outfit
What items do you take on holiday and why?
A speaker is a must, going to new places and playing music for me always creates a soundtrack for that specific holiday and a very visceral memory to look back on.
Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?
I remember having a T-shirt with Craig David’s face on a twenty pound note, sounds completely random but I have no idea where it went and I think about it from time to time.
What’s next on your shopping list?
I’ve recently realised my wardrobe is quite lacking in the smart casual attire, so I definitely need to up the levels on that front.
I recently did a shoot where the clothes were perfectly made for someone of my height and I truly appreciated rocking well made clothes.
What would you buy if money was no object?
I do often think about how nice it would be to live somewhere with the sun.
A few years back I visited some family in Jamaica and I couldn’t get over the peaceful lifestyle out there. If money was no object I’d love to perhaps have a place out there.
I would feel connected to my heritage but also relish in the idyllic chilled out lifestyle that the island allows.
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The Wheel of Time is available on Amazon Prime from 19 November
