Pop-Culturalist.com

Mark Ricci is a dynamic and versatile young storyteller best known for his transformative performances in comedic and dramatic roles, including Free Refills, Fireman Sam, and more.

His latest project saw Mark joining the spinoff of The Boys, Gen V, a franchise beloved by many, Mark included.

Pop Culturalist was fortunate enough to speak with Mark about Gen V, showcasing another side of his artistry, and more.

PC: You’re a multifaceted talent. In addition to the work you’ve done as an actor, you’ve also written, directed, produced, and edited. How have your experiences behind the camera impacted the way you approach your work on screen, and vice versa?
Mark: Well first off, thank you! Directing other actors has helped my own acting, and vice versa, because it’s gotten me used to molding a performance from the ground up. Whether I’m working on someone else’s performance or my own, it’s the same process. It’s letting the story dictate how moments should be played and fine-tuning it over and over to get it to the right pace and tone.

PC: You’re known for your comedic timing and chops, but recently got to show off your dramatic work in Gen V. What was it about this script and character that resonated with you? How much fun has it been getting to showcase all these different sides of your versatility?
Mark: It’s a great feeling because at the end of the day, I want to be a part of telling stories. The genre doesn’t matter; that’s my passion. Am I maybe more naturally inclined to do comedy on my personal YouTube channel and on stage? Yes. But that doesn’t take away from my desire to sink my teeth into meaty dramatic roles as well. Rich is a bit of a hothead, but with a heart of gold. I also know what his intended powers are, but I shouldn’t say anything just in case!

PC: You shared on social media that you have quite the story about landing the role. What can you tell us about that experience?
Mark: A few years ago, I started to become more spiritual because I had been consistently seeing the time 11:11 every day. Hours would pass without me checking my phone, and then I’d glance at it, and it’s 11:11. It took me about four years to realize that I was born on June 11, so it might just be “my number.” At that moment, I decided to set an intention or a goal whenever I saw 11:11. Often, I would say I wanted to land an acting job that was perfect for me, especially since I love the superhero genre. While I had dabbled in it with Spider-Man fan films, I hadn’t ventured into it on a larger scale.

When I heard about Gen V, I began pestering my agent to secure me an audition. He mentioned they were already halfway through production and hadn’t reached out yet. Then, a couple of weeks later, boom, the tape request hit my inbox at 11:11 AM. I replied to my agent, “You might have just made my wish come true.” I promptly sent in the tape. A few days later, I received another request, this time for a different character in the same scene. It meant I’d be running late for hockey that night. Nevertheless, I recorded the audition and arrived at hockey about half an hour late.

As the game ended, still pondering over the audition, I glanced at the scoreboard to check the time—it was 11:11 again. So once more, I set the intention that the role was mine. And the following week, I got it. You can’t make this stuff up.

PC: What was your favorite moment from working on this project?
Mark: My favorite moment was simply living and breathing the scene over and over again. It never grew old. It did take me a couple of takes to get into it, and I didn’t even realize! The director pointed out that for a scene where I’m supposedly fighting for my life, I looked too happy. The truth was, I was just ecstatic to be there.

PC: Were you a fan of The Boys before landing the role? Did that bring an added level of pressure?
Mark: Yes, and yes! I was a huge fan of The Boys, and it added pressure because I’m a small part of what’s becoming a big universe. I wanted to blend in perfectly, especially for fans of the show who are also familiar with my online presence. At the same time, though, it also made things a little easier on the audition side because I was so familiar with the tone and was able to play into that without having to guess.

PC: Outside of Gen V, what’s next for you?
Mark: Aside from Spiderman: Final Swing launching, I have a couple of scripts that I really want to get off the ground. Getting one of my scripts moving is a goal of mine. And of course, subscribers of Movie Man Mark can expect further adventures with M3GAN, Princess Peach, Ariel, Moana, the Five Nights at Freddy’s characters, and more.

To keep up with Mark, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.