Jun 27
EDGE Interview: Out Actor Ryan Ali Just Started his Career in Hollywood and it's Going to be Big
Timothy Rawles READ TIME: 6 MIN.
Source: Courtesy of Stefanie Nakamura
"And at the same time, I'm making my mark as an actor for the first time, like really sinking my teeth into that, and she just tried to shield me against like anything else that might come up for obstacles or things that might get in my way, and just hearing that tells you everything about the kind of person she is..." Ali says before pausing. "She was a trailblazer, and she still is and it inspires us younger actors with voices that haven't been heard as much yet in this industry to be able to keep going and, you know, do our thing as well."
Moving on from independent moviemaking to full-fledged studio work, Ali was cast as Reese in "SkyMed," an air rescue procedural for the Canadian television network CBC, which in America can be streamed through Paramount+.
He had a walk-on in the first season of "SkyMed" before "Queen Tut" but that turned into a prominent role throughout Season 2. Obviously, it's a different experience when production works on a much higher budget than a shoestring indie.
That was evident on the very first day of filming as Ali was broadsided by the experience. He began a scene thinking he was warming up or that he'd have to do multiple takes for different angles and close-ups. "It turned out they were filming with three cameras at the same time and they got all the shots they needed. I was like, 'So we're moving on?'"
As for the future, the 29-year-old actor says he is single and laser-focused on his acting career, making room for his big ambitions. He has only been in Los Angeles for a year and there is no time for relationships except for the ones he is making professionally. That seems to be working because he has a few big things in the works.
"I had so much passion for 'Queen Tut' even though the character is very different from who I am today and that range is something else that I'm really excited to be able to show," he says. "I'm thinking, how do I follow up 'Queen Tut' with something even more exciting? I think we're there so we'll hear about it."
"Queen Tut" is now available to rent on VOD.
