Pop-Culturalist.com

Few projects at this year’s SXSW are likely to strike a chord quite like Mix Tape, a poignant and transportive story about love, music, and the weight of nostalgia. Featuring a stellar cast, including Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe, Cloud Atlas) and newcomer Rory Walton-Smith, who makes a striking debut, the series seamlessly weaves past and present. Alongside them, Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches, Hacksaw Ridge) and Florence Hunt (Bridgerton) bring depth and nuance to Alison across two timelines.

Set in Sheffield in 1989, Mix Tape follows teenagers Daniel (Walton-Smith) and Alison (Hunt), who meet at a house party and connect over their love of music. Daniel is outgoing, Alison is more reserved, but when they share a moment on the dance floor, everything changes. The bond they form lingers for decades, leaving them both questioning what might have been. Twenty years later, Daniel (Sturgess) remains in Sheffield while Alison (Palmer) has built a life in Sydney. Both are married, their children nearly grown, yet the past continues to pull at them. Unable to let go of the memory, Daniel reaches out, hoping to rekindle something that once felt unforgettable.P

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to sit down with Jim Sturgess and Rory Walton-Smith to discuss Mix Tape and the profound connection between music and memory that lies at the heart of the series. They opened up about the challenges of portraying the same character across different timelines, the impact of the show’s nostalgic soundtrack, and the collaborative process of bringing this emotional story to life. From curating the music that shapes their characters to exploring the weight of what-ifs, Sturgess and Walton-Smith offer a thoughtful look at how Mix Tape captures the songs that stay with us long after the final note fades.

PC: Jim, there’s such an interesting parallel between you and Daniel—his love for music led him to a career in writing, while for you, music is another creative outlet alongside acting. Do you find that one influences the other in shaping how you tell stories and express yourself creatively? And is that what initially drew you to this character?
Jim: I’ve always struggled to define the connection between music and acting in my life. They feel like two separate parts of my brain, yet they undeniably feed into each other. My entry into acting actually came through music—I was discovered because of it, and my first major role was in Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe, a musical. That was my introduction to the industry.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. When I read the script, I immediately connected with young Daniel on a musical level—I saw so much of myself in him. Though I wasn’t born in the same era, I grew up listening to bands from the north of England, especially Manchester—those defining ’80s bands. Even in the ’90s, I was obsessed with that sound. That immediate recognition made me feel an instant pull toward the character.

I think more than the music, though, because I’m playing the older Daniel, I was really drawn to the relationships that were being presented to me as the older versions of the characters. I understood that—I’ve been through that, and I’ve seen friends go through that. Relationships become much harder as you get older. You experience that first love, but then you have to find your way through life. You change so much over time, especially when you spend years with one person.

Daniel, in this story, is at a crossroads—his son has left for university. His focus has always been on raising this child, and now that his son has left the nest, he’s looking at himself, wondering who he is now, where he fits in the world, and how he feels about certain things. I saw a man who was very lost, and I found that heartbreaking and painful. The relationship between Daniel and Katelin, his wife, felt incredibly real—nuanced, complicated, and messy. That probably drew me in more than the music, actually.

PC: You feel that in your performance. Rory, there’s such a transportive quality to this limited series, particularly in your timeline showcasing Sheffield in the late ’80s and ’90s. Your performance is so layered and immersive. What was it like stepping into this world? Was there a particular detail—whether in the writing, production design, or costume pieces—that really helped elevate your performance? Because there’s such a commanding presence that you brought to the screen.
Rory: All of it, really! The costumes were key—they helped a lot. Daniel’s house was on a street that truly felt like it could have been from the ’80s. I remember seeing a vision board that Lucy Gaffy put together, and that tied everything together. The writing also felt authentic to the time. Every element played a big role, and for me, it was about being present in the scene—wearing those clothes, inhabiting that space, and letting all of it inform the performance.

PC: That Walkman really struck a chord with me. Jim, your debut album, Common Sense for the Animal, plays very much like a mixtape—free of genre constraints. You’re pulling from different influences, and like your work as an actor, you always put the message first. Is there a song from that album that you feel could be part of Daniel’s soundtrack?
Jim: That’s a great question. It would depend on which part of Daniel’s life you’re looking at. There’s a song on the record called “The Makeshift Numbers,” which is very much a broken-hearted song—a man left with longing and pain. That’s definitely where we find older Daniel.

Like you said, the record crosses a lot of genres. Growing up listening to all kinds of music, it was always important to me that, when I made a record, I threw everything in and saw what came out—something that felt genre-less yet, at the same time, full of genre.

What do you reckon young Daniel would have been into, Rory? There’s a track on there called “The Hollowman Come,” which has a very ’80s and ’90s Primal Scream feel. He might have been into that.

Rory: 100%. I actually had a whole playlist I could have talked about, but I completely forgot what was on it. He listened to all sorts of things.

PC: Rory, the show does a brilliant job exploring the connection between music and memory—how certain songs can instantly transport us back to a specific moment in time. How much did you lean on music to get into Daniel’s emotional headspace, given the contrast between him being this popular kid in school and the vulnerability and uncertainty he feels when he’s with Alison?
Rory: I listened to a lot of songs from that period. What I loved about his mixtape was how varied it was. He could go from listening to proper rock to something like “Stephanie Says,” which is actually in the show. A song like “Stephanie Says” is so sensitive—you wouldn’t expect a popular guy like Daniel to listen to that. But that’s what connects him and Alison. It didn’t matter whether the music was new or not; what mattered was that they could share their appreciation for it. That’s what stays with them in the future.

Jim: I love that, in the show, they’re teaching each other about music. They have bands they both love, which helps them connect, but they’re also introducing each other to new influences—expanding their horizons. Alison weaves her taste into their dynamic, and that really strikes a chord with Daniel. We loved that.

We actually made a big group Spotify playlist where everyone could throw in music and ideas—what they thought their characters would listen to, what excited them for the show. It was tricky because everyone has their own journey with music. It’s so personal and subjective. But it was fun exploring what these kids and these adults would be listening to, what felt nostalgic and romantic to them. Everyone had a different perspective, but I think we did a great job of letting each person have a say and take ownership of the music, shaping what felt right for their characters.

PC: You all should release that playlist before SXSW. Music has such a powerful way of expressing emotions that might otherwise go unsaid. Jim, I also love how this show seamlessly moves between the past and present without ever breaking that immersion. The two of you do such a phenomenal job of making these characters feel both familiar and distinct across the timelines. What was it like collaborating on that? Did the choices Rory made influence your own in the present day?
Jim: That’s a great question. More than anything, Lucy, our director, was incredibly inclusive—she made sure everyone felt involved and part of the process in such a beautiful way. I don’t know if Rory knows this, but I was able to watch all the auditions for young Daniel and young Alison. I felt really honored to have a say and to voice my opinion.

When I saw Rory’s audition, I instantly felt connected to his version of Daniel. I thought it would complement my version in an interesting way. What stood out to me in his interpretation was this kindness, gentleness, and vulnerability that I really resonated with. That was super helpful—it made me feel even more connected to the character through his audition scenes.

It was tricky because we were filming at different times. I shot most of my scenes first, so I didn’t get to see what Rory was doing in real-time. But I instinctively knew he had the qualities I wanted for my Daniel. Because of that, I was confident we’d bring a cohesive and connected quality to the character across the timelines.

PC: You feel that as audience members. Rory, this is the biggest project you’ve worked on. What was the most surprising part of the overall experience? What was your biggest takeaway?
Rory: Wow, it’s my first project, so it was a bit of a wild ride. I think the biggest thing I learned was just how many people are involved. The characters are only a small piece of the machine—everyone has their own role, and there are so many creative minds working together to bring it all to life.

What really stuck with me is that all you have to do is focus on your job and trust the process. It’s a massive collaboration, and I really, really enjoyed that. I can’t wait for people to see it.

Make sure to follow Jim (Instagram) and Rory (Instagram).

Mix Tape Screening at SXSW:

• Mix Tape at SXSW Film & TV Theater @ The Hyatt Regency – Mar 9, 2025 (6:15pm — 7:12pm)