Bradley Bowen has worked with a plethora of Hollywood stars from Michelle Pfeiffer to George Clooney, and especially loves acting in dramas based on real events. He tells us about his recent projects, 'The First Lady' TV series appearance (powerful drama starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Viola Davis and Gillian Anderson), favourite experiences in acting and his ambitious new project based in the Himalayas.
Recent projects
Kate: Can you tell us more about your recent projects?
Bradley Bowen: One of my recent projects is "Out for Vengeance," a fast-paced action/thriller feature Film that we shot in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It’s full of martial arts, car chases and head-hunting! The cast consists of many international actors and martial artists; for instance kickboxer Michel Qissi is attached to the film. I play Victor Romanov, a powerful Russian cartel leader producing and distributing narcotics.
‘The First Lady’ TV series
And you appeared in the new TV series ‘The First Lady’?
Yes, the drama series is about how many of history's most impactful and world-changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America's charismatic, complex and dynamic first ladies. It’s a powerful drama starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Viola Davis and Gillian Anderson. My role is as a Secret Service agent of First Lady Betty Ford, portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer.
What other projects have you enjoyed recently?
I was in a couple of episodes of "The Right Stuff," about US fighter pilots who are recruited to test experimental aircraft and rockets to become the first astronauts to go to Mercury. It’s a TV adaptation of Tom Wolfe's book, and is produced by Leonardo DiCaprio. Being on set at NASA’s headquarters, the Kennedy Space Center, was an excellent history lesson.
And I play a scientist in "They Cloned Tyrone", an eerie mystery film about a government conspiracy, starring Jamie Foxx and directed by Juel Taylor. Jamie is always a pleasure to work with, a true entertainer. Being on set with him makes the long work days light. I also worked with him on "Sleepless."
Which film has been your favourite so far?
It would have to be a tie between "American Made" (starring Tom Cruise) and "The Birth Of A Nation" (written and directed by Nate Parker). The casts and crews were a real pleasure to work with. I enjoy working on projects that are based on true events as I like learning about and recreating history.
Acting
Who have you worked with in your acting career?
I’ve had the pleasure and opportunity to work with many well-known actors including George Clooney ("Tomorrow Land"), Tom Cruise ("American Made"), Willem Defoe ("The Florida Project"), Dwayne Johnson ("Ballers"), Michelle Pfeiffer ("The First Lady"), and Jamie Foxx ("They Cloned Tyrone").
Producing
You’re also now a producer – what projects have you been working on?
I’ve been working on a project called ‘The Flight’ for a few years now, and it’s currently in pre-production. When a retired WWI flying ace is sent to Germany in 1938 to spy on the Luftwaffe, he must choose between saving a planeload of Jewish children, and securing critical intelligence on the Nazis’ plans for launching all-out war on Europe. We’ll be filming in France and Germany and it’s my first endeavor as an executive producer. To my delight, the script was selected as one of the winners at the South by Southwest Film Festival. Another project I’m working on as a producer is ‘Sonam and Her Husbands’ written by Akash Adhikari, a story about Sonam, a girl from the High Himalayan region of Nepal, who is caught in the tradition of polyandry (where a group of brothers marry one wife), but decides to fight for her rights and for the future of the next generation.
Polyandry is still practiced in the Himalayan parts of Nepal. I was able to travel to Nepal and Europe, location-scouting where both films will be shot. The pandemic slowed progress and tested my endurance, but I’m pushing ahead now.
