Pop-Culturalist.com

Over the past twenty years, William Moseley has consistently captivated audiences with his intricate and deeply layered performances in renowned projects such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Royals, Saving Paradise, and Friend Request.

His latest feature, Murder Company, tells the untold story of unsung heroes of the Second World War. Set against the backdrop of the D-Day invasion, it follows a group of U.S. soldiers tasked with smuggling a French resistance member behind enemy lines to eliminate a high-value Nazi target.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with William about Murder Company, immersing himself into his character, building that brotherhood with the cast and creative team, and more.

PC: Murder Company is based on a true story. Film and television are such powerful mediums to bring awareness to these stories that may have otherwise never been told. How much does that play a factor in you wanting to be a part of a project? Does that bring a different sense of responsibility?
William: It’s very important to work on something that’s true. Most of what I work on is fiction, so I was very grateful to make a film based on a true story. Also, it’s the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. It’s a really good way to raise awareness for people out there who may not know what it is. Even for me, it can be confusing—which one was Dunkirk? Which one was D-Day? What happened here? What happened there? It’s important to bring it back into people’s minds and for us to all remember how lucky we are to have the freedom we have today because of the people who sacrificed their lives eighty years ago.

PC: Beautifully said. The last time we spoke was for On the Line, and you mentioned that before a scene, you would do 100 pushups or 50 jumping jacks. Did you develop any new techniques to find your way into this character whose journey is so nuanced and about becoming this reluctant leader?
William: For this character, it was very important for me to collaborate with the guys and work as a team. I made sure I was there with them the whole way, and that we were really committed to each other, not just on set, but off set as well. We went to the gym together, watched Band of Brothers, and went out to dinners. We did a lot together. It was very important for me that we had chemistry on screen. I really enjoyed working with Pooch [Hall], Jilon [VanOver], Joe [Anderson], and Gilles [Marini]. We had a great time together.

PC: You were also really in the trenches in this film, battling a chest infection and food poisoning. You’ve spoken about how the cast and crew showed up and held space for you, which is such an interesting parallel to these characters and their journeys. How did these series of unfortunate events help build that bond and allow you to push each other as collaborators?
William: Filming out in Bulgaria, which is still a developing Eastern European country, was rough, and we were ready for it. We shot the entire movie in twelve days. I have a pretty strict workout routine, so I tried to go to the gym in the evening, but at some point, I realized I couldn’t anymore because I was getting really sick. I had to take care of my body. Everyone was very understanding and kind to one another. We all had difficult things to battle through on that film. It gives you an idea of what it’s like to go to war. I thought, I never want to go to an actual war if I can help it.

PC: I love the friendship between your character and Pooch’s character and how they hold space for each other. Who are the people in your own life who have done something similar for you?
William: I’m so grateful that came through. My best friend growing up—his sister just had her wedding this weekend. They have this beautiful house and tried to keep the costs as low as possible. At one point, my friend and I were kicking down height-level grass so that people could walk through it from the church back to the house. It was one of those moments where we were together, almost like we were children again. He’s always been a great friend to me. Friendships like that have helped me play characters who have those kinds of relationships.

PC: The film is so immersive. It’s one that truly needs to be seen on a big screen, from the costumes to shooting on location. How do all of those elements help elevate your own performance, and how different is that experience compared to maybe shooting something on a soundstage?
William: I’m very grateful that we shot this in the woods. I have a funny story. There’s a scene where Pooch and I see each other for the first time in a long time. I was getting ready for the scene and just talking with Pooch. Then I suddenly see his eyes go wide. I’m like, “What is he doing?” Then he slaps me across the face. [laughs] I was like, “What is going on, man?” He said, “You had a scorpion on you!” I looked back at the footage, and I literally had a scorpion crawling up my shoulder, onto my chinstrap, and onto my mouth. It was stuck there. It was pretty big. He slapped it off me. So we were really out in the wilderness. This was not cushy. That plays into your character. It makes you more believable as the person you’re meant to be portraying. We’re meant to be soldiers, so let’s keep it real.

PC: I don’t think you’ve ever been better. Shane [Dax Taylor] has such a deep connection to this story. What was it like getting to collaborate with him and bring this to life?
William: Shane is an amazing person. He’s very strong and dedicated. Shane did not stop the whole shoot. He would work sixteen-hour days, always looking at three monitors and figuring out how to direct two scenes at once while cutting the time down but still getting something good on camera. I was in awe of Shane, to be honest with you. Sometimes directors feel like they’re on one side of the line and you as the actor are on the other. But it never felt like that. It felt like we were all part of the same team, working as hard as each other. Shane’s a sports guy. He worked at ESPN before the movie, so he understood that type of camaraderie.

PC: You’re such a student of your craft and you have such an appreciation for the work and the process. When you look back at this experience, what did you learn about your own artistry and what will you remember the most?
William: What I will remember the most is that I made a film that I’m proud of. My grandparents went through an experience like this, and I didn’t break. I never complained. I never missed a shot. I was never out of sync with anyone. I held myself together very well. That’s very important as a person and an actor. You need to have a lot of self-control and inner strength to get through films like this.

PC: Yeah, I don’t know how you did that with a chest infection and food poisoning. Knowing everything that you had to battle with, what is the scene that you’re most proud of in this film?
William: Working with Kelsey Grammer was a dream. I’ve always loved him and his work. It was a similar feeling to working with Mel Gibson. You feel starstruck when you work with guys like that, and you want to pick their brains about how to be better, how to do your job better, and ask them what they know that you don’t. I tried to ask Kelsey a few questions. It was really fantastic to work with him. I’m very grateful to be on screen with him.

PC: You have such an affinity for this industry. Could we potentially see you direct or write in the future? Outside of this project, what’s next for you?
William: Thank you so much. I appreciate that. I would love to write and direct. Whatever part of this medium I can be a part of, I would happily accept and be honored. I do write. It’s very important for actors to write because it helps you understand how stories are crafted and created and how screenplays work. I always advise every actor to learn to write. I do that in my downtime.

I have a film coming out that’s going to premiere in Bangkok and be released in America in the fall. It’s called Home Sweet Home Rebirth. It’s a really fun science fiction/action movie. I play a police officer in that, so it’s not too dissimilar from the action characters I’ve played before. I’m very, very grateful that I was brought onto that film, and I’m looking forward to seeing it soon.

To keep up with William, follow him on X and Instagram. Murder Company is out in select theaters, On Demand, and digitally.

Photo Credit: Maverick Film & Complex Corp