Interview: David Fynn, Brit star of US sitcom ‘Undateable’
You might not know his name, but you probably recognise David Fynn’s face from roles in geek faves like Doctor Who, Game Of Thrones, Big Bad World and Banana. The talented chap has now found new success in Hollywood, having landed a role as gay barman Brett in successful NBC TV sitcom Undateable, which recently featured a guest appearance by our very own Ed Sheeran. aTEEN met up with David to talk about how he got his big Hollywood break…
David, what might we have seen you in?
Anything that attracts the geek community! Dr Who, Sherlock, Game of Thrones. Plus a few British comedies: The Inbetweeners, Peep Show, Pete vs Life, Big Bad World, The Job Lot, Banana.
Was going to Hollywood always the dream?
The dream was only ever to not have to do anything else. I worked in bars, restaurants and schools for years; which was an amazing experience, but the dream was to pay the rent with acting jobs. Moving to the States just kind of happened!
What was your first proper acting role?
My first paid acting job was an episode of Spooks on the BBC. I had one line; ‘Armed police! Don’t move!’. I told everyone about it. My family and friends all tuned in to watch it and then they only showed the back of my head. Dreams do come true.
What’s the dream role?
All the big roles Id like to play are a way off yet. Things like Titus Andronicus and Joe Keller in All My Sons by Arthur Miller are for the older gentlemen. Something to aspire to and look forward to though! I’d also love to do Book of Mormon and play max Bialystock in The Producers. That’s the musical theatre lush in me!
You appeared in Banana, Russell T Davies’ show which was critically acclaimed but divided its gay audience. What was that experience like?
It was great fun! Things like this will always divide people but at the end of the day, the stories and characters were interesting and that’s what really matters.
Now you’re playing a gay guy in the US sitcom Undateable. How did you get the part?
I came out to LA a couple of years ago for pilot season. And they remembered me after I’d auditioned for something else. I was actually on holiday in Dominican Republic and had to fly from there to LA for my final screen test. It took me 38 hours to travel back!
Gay characters seem to be all the rage at the moment. It wasn’t long ago that gay characters were the butt of many jokes. A lot has changed, hasn’t it?
I think it’s fantastic and it shows how far TV writing has come in the last ten years. Not so long ago a lot of gay characters on TV were defined by their sexuality. It’s nice to have the opportunity and the freedom to approach the character as just one of the guys who also just happens to be gay.
Living in Hollywood, do you feel a pressure to looks certain way? Will you you have a six pack by the end of the year?
I don’t feel that pressure at all as I’m not that type of actor. Although I have been eating a lot of kale since I arrived. I think it’s the law here.
What do you miss from home?
Theatre, friends and family, sarcasm and someone calling me a c**t every now and then.
Undateable is shown on NBC in the US. You can read the full interview with David in the latest issue of aTEEN, available digitally now from Pocketmags.com/aTEEN.