Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with October Faction’s Praneet Akilla

Praneet Akilla is poised to become one of the breakout stars of 2020. A relative newcomer to the industry, Praneet can next be seen in his starring role as Phillip Mishra in Netflix’s adaptation of the graphic novels October Faction. His character undergoes a drastic transformation over the course of the first season, masterfully brought to life by Praneet. Pop Culturalist caught up with this rising star to chat about Season 1 of October Faction.

Career

PC: You’re an actor and producer. How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Praneet: I discovered my passion for storytelling at an early age. It started with my parents’ being from India and playing a ton of Bollywood movies at home. The noncynical, pour-your-heart-out type of storytelling from those movies really made an impact on me. It was also around then I discovered I could sing, so I started watching musicals because they combined storytelling with music but in a North American context. I fell in love with the idea that you could create something, introduce it to people, and they could instantaneously be affected by it. Artists had the ability to make people feel, and when I started performing, that’s always been my mantra—to induce empathy.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Praneet: My drama teachers or just teachers in general. In middle school, I was a shy, lonely kid who performed in the shower or in front of his mirror secretly. I just didn’t have the confidence to showcase it to the world. I was on autopilot, basically just doing my homework, trying to do well in school so I could one day go to a good university and work a stable job. It wasn’t until my middle school drama teacher—shoutout, Mr. D—convinced me to audition and play Aladdin in our school musical that I figured out that maybe this was something I was good at and could actually do. From then on, many teachers of mine always encouraged the actor/storyteller in me to come out and not be afraid. I owe them so much.

October Faction

PC: Tell us about October Faction, your character, and what attracted you to this project.
Praneet: October Faction is a fantasy/horror Netflix original series based on the graphic novels by Steve Niles and Damien Worm. It follows the adventures of a retired monster-hunter and his family moving back to their patriarch’s town to find out their idyllic surroundings aren’t quite what they seem. Pretty soon they have to deal with werewolves, warlocks, vampires, and all kinds of other monsters that are hidden in plain sight. I describe it as a Men in Black meets Supernatural.

My character is Phillip Mishra. He’s the alpha and star athlete in the high school that the Allen family kids attend.

I think what attracted me to the show was the script. On the outside, it’s incredibly fun, has lots of action and creepy horror elements. However, the writers of the show have created incredibly well-developed characters and storylines with poignant social commentary, which I absolutely loved.

PC: The series is being adapted from a widely popular comic book series. How familiar were you with the source material?
Praneet: I hadn’t heard of the source material before I auditioned, but as soon as I got the script, I did my research. The comics are incredible, and I love the creepy, gothic illustrations by Damien Worm. We didn’t necessarily follow the graphic novels explicitly, but we definitely retained the vibe of the comics, specifically the sardonic wit and dry humor of the characters in this world.

PC: Co-creators Damien Worm and Steve Niles are both a part of this adaptation. How helpful was it to have them involved with this project?
Praneet: They were a fantastic resource if we ever had any questions. I didn’t have a chance to interact with them much on the days that I was on set, unfortunately. I did meet Steve Niles briefly, and he was such a kind person. He was really appreciative of the artists taking on his material and supportive of them. That’s honestly all you can ask for from the creator of such a popular IP.

PC: This is your big television break. Were there any nerves heading into this project? What was the biggest takeaway?
Praneet: I was more excited than nervous! I’ve loved acting and movies/TV for as long as I can remember. I just couldn’t wait to finally tell a story with a bigger budget, a bigger set, and with a talented cast and crew. Luckily, I loved doing my homework to prep for the shoot, and my experience went smoothly.

I think the biggest takeaway for me as a young actor was to trust the directors. After some takes, they would move on and I would second-guess whether I was good enough or not. I hesitated to ask for a retake because I was so new to everything. It wasn’t until Megan Follows, who directed me in a few episodes, came up to me and said to let go and trust that the crew has your back. If they move on, it means they are happy.

PC: What can you tease about Phillip’s arc in Season 1?
Praneet: Phillip is the son of a prominent townsperson. He carries a heavy burden of high expectations from both his family and the society around him. On the surface, he very much tries to hide this stress and compensates by pushing his male bravado out to assert his dominance. Through the series, however, after meeting Geoff Allen, tensions arise. And the rest I can’t give away because of spoilers! All I’ll say is his arc is a beautiful one, and I’m excited for the fans to check it out.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Praneet: The Bachelor

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Praneet: The Notebook or The Day After Tomorrow

PC: Favorite book?
Praneet: The Kingkiller Chronicle series.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Praneet: In the Heights or Sunday in the Park with George

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Praneet: One Direction

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Praneet: Riz Ahmed

To keep up with Praneet, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch Season 1 of October Faction out now on Netflix.