Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Tiny Pretty Things’ Alexander Eling

Alexander Eling has emerged as one of the most exciting young actors of his generation. He first burst onto the scene and caught the attention of the industry with his breakout performance as Teen Alec in Freeform’s Shadowhunters.

Since then, he’s gone on to star in projects including Pretty Cheaters, Deadly Lies, Another Life, and Heavy.

Currently, he can be seen in Netflix’s newest drama, Tiny Pretty Things, where he plays the flirtatious Matteo Marchetti.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Alexander to learn more about his career, Tiny Pretty Things, and his mysterious character.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Alexander: I went to Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in my hometown in Scarborough, Toronto, without a performing background. I went there on a whim because my older step-sibling went there. Honestly, it was luck. It was complete luck that I found my passion for it in about tenth grade. It felt so natural and what I was meant to do. Since tenth grade, I’ve never thought about doing anything else. I fell in love with it. I went to a theater school. All four years, I was enveloped in learning everything I possibly could. That never stopped.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Alexander: Of course, watching the greats. That’s always big. But I surround myself with a lot of friends who are creative individuals. I wouldn’t have fallen into performing if I didn’t go to that school. It was such a foreign thing prior to high school. So I would say my school and everyone that I met at the start of it all.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Alexander: That’s a great question. One moment that stands out in particular was one of my first-ever acting jobs. It was Shadowhunters. I was on set for maybe two or three days. It wasn’t a huge thing, but I remember I had this incredibly long day. I remember we finished around two thirty in the morning. When we were done, I was like, “I’m really doing this.”

The show has a cult following and fan base. I feel like I got the approval from them because I was playing a young version of one of the lead characters. That’s a lot to live up to!

That was the first time that I was being paid to be a professional actor.

Tiny Pretty Things

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PC: Tell us about Tiny Pretty Things, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Alexander: Tiny Pretty Things is based off of a book series of the same name. The book is set in New York, but the show is set in Chicago, the Archer School of Ballet. It’s an elite ballet academy. It’s about the length that the young people who attend the school will go to achieve their dreams. It’s how dark and twisted the world of elite ballet is that many people probably don’t know.

As far as my character, I can’t say too much. There’s a lot of characters that weren’t in the books that were added to the show. But I’ll say I have a guitar and that’s all I can say. [laughs] You’ll have to tune in and find out.

What drew me to the project was the character. I remember the moment that I read the script, I was like, “This is right up my alley.” We filmed in Toronto, where I’m from. It felt good right from the jump. The guitar stuff was cool because I didn’t play guitar before, so getting to learn an instrument was really cool. I still play guitar to this day. I’m obsessed with it.

It had so much, man. It had so much substance, was a great challenge to face, which you’ll see when you watch the show. That’s a great question because there’s so many things that I love about it.

PC: How familiar were you with the source material?
Alexander: I actually hadn’t heard of it. I remember the moment I got the email for my self-tape auditions, I immediately went on Google to see what I could find. I was really excited because when there’s a book out that means it already has followers and fans.

We learned a lot more going into it and as we filmed. Because my character isn’t in the books, a majority of my research was chatting with the writers and creators about what they wanted and what I wanted to do with it.

PC: Like you just said, the book has a dedicated fan base. Did being a part of Shadowhunters help ease that pressure?
Alexander: When I did Shadowhunters, I was excited. But then I remember before the episode was about to air, I started getting really nervous because the fan base loves the character. I was like, “Man, if I don’t do good, I’m going to get some slack for it.” So I don’t know about easing the pressure. It kind of makes you recognize it more. [laughs] Anytime a movie or TV series is created from a book, people have a real connection to it and their own expectations. The same goes for the writers of the book. There’s so much you have to consider.

PC: Is there anything you can tease about your character’s arc in Season 1?
Alexander: I can say that I cause some trouble with a lady with a guitar in my hand. [laughs]

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Alexander: I watch so much stuff. Damn, that’s a tough question. I can watch Breaking Bad over and over again. I was obsessed with that show when it first came out. It’s one of the best shows ever. I also love SpongeBob.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Alexander: Maybe Twilight?

PC: Favorite book?
Alexander: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. It doesn’t sound interesting on paper. It’s a memoir by the CEO of Nike and how the company became the Goliath that it is now. It’s filled with crazy stories that you wouldn’t expect. The book is so damn good.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Alexander: Hamilton. I know every damn word.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Alexander: I listen to a lot of music. I guess Jorja Smith. She’s great. I love her.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Alexander: Oscar Isaac.

To keep up with Alexander, follow him on Instagram. Binge-watch Season 1 of Tiny Pretty Things on Netflix.

Photo Credit: Lane Dorsey