Will Harrison: Rising Star of Stage and Screen
Will Harrison’s first two years in the entertainment industry have been nothing short of a whirlwind. Since his breakthrough role in the 2023 series Daisy Jones & The Six, an evocative portrayal of the tumultuous lives of rock musicians akin to Fleetwood Mac, Harrison has quickly made a name for himself. Following this initial success, he has embraced a diverse array of characters, from the historical John Wilkes Booth accomplice David Herold in Manhunt, to the folk singer Bobby Neuwirth in A Complete Unknown, culminating in his recent portrayal of Jacob Dunne in the Broadway play Punch. Here, he brings to life the tragic story of a young man involved in a fatal bar fight, further solidifying his reputation as a serious talent.
The Importance of Real-Life Characters
In a recent Zoom interview from New York, Harrison discussed the unique pressures of portraying real people on stage and screen. “When you play real people, the question of whether they want the thing to be made or not… becomes a weird part of the process,” he shared. However, with Punch, the creative team had input from Dunne himself, alleviating some of the pressure to honor a complex truth. The play, set in Nottingham, England—where the tragic event occurred in 2011—offers an intimate exploration of restorative justice as it follows Dunne’s relationship with the parents of the victim, James Hodgkinson.
Harrison’s preparation for the role was both personal and intensive. He had the opportunity to meet Jacob Dunne before the show’s Broadway run, allowing him deeper insight into the character’s psyche and motivations. He reflected, "Getting that time with him gave me the freedom to really go for it onstage."
Navigating Complex Narratives
The emotional landscape of Punch complicates the often visceral world of violent crime by asking audiences to confront the humanity behind the act. Harrison relates this depth to his experience in portraying Buster Murdaugh in Murdaugh: Death in the Family. Murdaugh is a character whose story carries the weight of tragedy, privilege, and moral conflict. Harrison emphasized the importance of understanding the motivations behind a character’s actions, stating, “To develop empathy, you have to understand why they did things.” This exploration of “why” is central to Harrison’s method as he walks the fine line between understanding a character’s choices and distancing himself from their misdeeds.
The Challenge of Performance
Navigating the demands of a Broadway run, particularly in a physically demanding role like Dunne’s, is no simple feat. Harrison admitted that he came into the rehearsal process “in less than ideal shape” and had to focus on energy conservation in order to perform effectively. The daily routine became one of managing his physical stamina while delivering a gripping performance night after night, with “at least two full hours to wind down” after each show.
The accent work specific to Nottingham proved another challenge, yet Harrison embraced it with enthusiasm. Growing up immersed in British media, he found joy in embodying the dialect. "I was really excited to get into that dialect," he recounted, underscoring how the culture and expertise of the local cast and crew aided his immersion.
Relationships on Set
Throughout his journey, Harrison has had the opportunity to work with many esteemed actors, with one standout being Patricia Arquette in Murdaugh: Death in the Family. “It was really trippy,” he said, reflecting on the dynamic between their characters. His time on set was made more special by seeing Arquette and her co-star Jason Clarke take their roles seriously, often blurring the lines between their on-screen personas and true identities.
When recalling the experience, he mentioned the unique nature of their interactions, “I never really knew if I was talking to Jason or Dad… It was a surreal experience.” Such moments underline the vibrant tapestry of collaboration in acting, where reality often intertwines with fiction.
A Bright Future Ahead
As Will Harrison continues his ascent in the world of theater and television, his ability to delve into the nuances of human behavior and the complexities of real-life narratives keeps audiences engaged and eager for more. Harrison’s journey—rooted in empathy, deep character study, and physicality—ensures that he stands out as one of the most promising talents emerging in the entertainment industry today. As he navigates roles inspired by real-life figures, it becomes evident that Harrison is not just an actor but a storyteller deeply committed to capturing the essence of the human experience.
