Luther Ford is the Star of DSCENE Magazine’s January 2024 Cover Story

British actor Luther Ford makes a striking entrance in the world of television with his portrayal of Prince Harry in Netflix’s acclaimed series ‘The Crown’. Featured on DSCENE Magazine‘s January 2024 Digital cover, Ford shares his extraordinary journey from attending an open casting call on a whim to landing a role in the show’s sixth and final season. His performance, alongside Ed McVey, Meg Bellamy, and Elizabeth Debicki, marks a significant debut in his acting career, showcasing a natural talent that belies his newcomer status.

EXCLUSIVE

Gracing the DSCENE January 2024 Digital cover story, Luther Ford shines in a photoshoot by Josh Upton, set against the elegant backdrop of the Hart Shoreditch hotel. Styled by Alexandria Field, assisted by Kayla-Elaine Sanchez Gomez, the look is completed with the artistic touches of beauty artist Charlie Cullen.

In an intimate conversation with DSCENE’s editor Katarina Doric, Ford opens up about the challenges and triumphs of portraying a modern royal figure, his unique background in producing and directing, and his personal artistic journey. He reflects on his on-set experiences, the impact of his role on his personal style, and his aspirations for future projects in both acting and directing. This interview provides an intriguing window into the journey of an artist at a critical turning point, ready to make a significant impact in the ever-evolving landscape of film and television.

Luther, congratulations on your television debut as Prince Harry in ‘The Crown’. What were your initial thoughts when you first learned you got the role? – Thank you. I think when I first got the role I was just stunned. I couldn’t believe that I’d actually reached that point and it caught me off guard. I remember putting on an episode of The Crown and thinking ‘Wow, I’m going to be a part of that’. That quickly transitioned, to ‘Oh my god. I’m going to be a part of that’. It was pretty terrifying.

Your casting story is quite remarkable. Can you tell us more about your experience attending the open casting call? – My brother’s wife sent the open casting to our family group chat. I think she quite literally said, ‘Doesn’t hurt to try’ and I thought I suppose it doesn’t. It was a surprisingly quick process, three weeks; three self-tapes and two in person auditions along with Ed McVey. It felt natural between us. It’s been a real whirlwind – still is. I never truly thought I’d get this far, I think in some ways my naivety was my strength, I wasn’t scared because it really felt like I’d succeeded just by being in the audition room.

I remember putting on an episode of The Crown and thinking ‘Wow, I’m going to be a part of that’. That quickly transitioned, to ‘Oh my god. I’m going to be a part of that’. It was pretty terrifying.

You’re working alongside an incredible cast, including Ed McVey, Meg Bellamy, Dominic West, and Elizabeth Debicki. How has the experience been working with them, and how have they influenced your performance? – I was probably most influenced by Ed. I pretty much had all my scenes with him. He’s only a little older than me, but we slotted into that younger – older sibling dynamic so easily. I looked up to him because he had some experience and I thought well he’ll be able to help, ha! It was important to feel that you’re in this together, it can be a uniquely isolating experience I think. Me, Meg and Ed often wonder what this would all be like if we just didn’t quite get on. It’s so lucky that we have fun and are very close. As for the titans of this cast, you get so much from just being there, just watching them. Imelda Staunton taught me to appreciate each moment. Her professionalism is next level, it’s something to aspire to.

Could you share any memorable moments or experiences from the set of ‘The Crown’? – There’s a fair few. Walking into Lancaster House for the first time, in my eyes the most royal of all locations as it’s located a five-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. The King lives next door. Dancing with Olivia Williams after the final take of the final shot of The Crown; there were crowds, a brass band, it was a wedding scene. Unreal! Shooting rifles from the roof of a stately home. Probably the most immersive experiences, were the sequences where you really felt the scale of the production. For instance, there was a scene in which we arrive to a hotel in Canada, which in fact was shot in Canary Wharf. There were 300 supporting artists lining the streets, cars from that period, Canadian police officers, it really felt for a moment like you were there. Truly bizarre.

How did you approach the task of portraying such a well-known and often scrutinized public figure like Prince Harry? Were there any aspects of his life or personality that you particularly focused on? – Well the production team definitely put you through your paces, it’s definitely not a ‘see you in 3 months, have a good crack at it!’ kind of job. The research team provide you with extensive books, documentaries, articles and documents. I worked with a movement coach (Polly Bennett) and a dialect coach (William Conacher). I was set up with a Marine who taught me how to march, that was purely to grasp a sense of posture and duty I think. I feel like instinctually you first turn to the voice, that feels important, like once you have a grasp on that – the rest will fall into place. But I definitely struggled with the line between an impression and an essence. It becomes quite obsessive and I think it’s easy to lose trace of the fact that there’s also something within you that they saw and want you to draw upon. It’s scary, but you do have to put down the research and trust that you’re good to go, that you’ve gained some kind of insight that is going to be useful. I most closely looked at his relationship with his brother and what the backdrop to the time period we were covering was.

I never truly thought I’d get this far, I think in some ways my naivety was my strength, I wasn’t scared because it really felt like I’d succeeded just by being in the audition room.

Is there any aspect of Prince Harry’s life or personality that you personally relate to or find particularly intriguing? – I suppose firstly it’s worth noting that it was all dictated by Peter Morgan’s scripts and the angle he was exploring. But I think ultimately, the dynamic of the heir and the spare is fascinating. It’s something we’ve seen before in The Crown, between Elizabeth and Margaret. Being siblings within a system, an institution. What that does to relationships, how that changes a family. I think the idea of ‘the black sheep’, was something I could strangely relate to in terms of joining this cast of actors, ha. I mean they’re legends! It didn’t take a huge effort to feel out of place and I leaned into that, it was useful. Plus, I just tried to keep a cheeky edge at all times, and somewhere between those two places I found something. Not sure what it was, but something.

It didn’t take a huge effort to feel out of place and I leaned into that, it was useful. Plus, I just tried to keep a cheeky edge at all times, and somewhere between those two places I found something. Not sure what it was, but something.

You’ve recently completed your studies in directing and have a background in producing and editing. How do you think these skills have helped you in your acting career, and how do you plan to integrate directing into your future projects? – I’d be cautious to call it a career just yet. But I think given that I had no significant acting experience, it was useful in terms of navigating a set. There’s a lot of people around and I think that can be overwhelming. Once you understand however that they all have their own, very detailed, complicated jobs – it kind of takes the pressure off. They’re all there to ultimately elevate you and the world of the story, they want you to succeed, it’s very reassuring. It also just added another layer of excitement (as if that was needed), I got to work with three directors, including Stephen Daldry, three different styles, three different ways of delivering notes. It was so interesting. I couldn’t have ever got close to that kind of experience. I’m going to keep making short films, keep experimenting and go from there.

Given the iconic fashion moments associated with the royal family, how has stepping into the role of Prince Harry influenced your personal style and your perspective on fashion? – Not much haha. It’s probably taught me that the nineties are definitely back. Although I’m not sure I’m in a hurry to be taking anything from his wardrobe specifically. Actually, a tailored suit or two wouldn’t go amiss. There’s a scene where me and Ed wear black tuxedos as we smoke on a balcony. I’ll have that one please. Not that you’re asking or they’re giving.

What would be your dream project to work on, and why? – Probably a Mubi film, 10 weeks somewhere sunny, working with Céline Sciamma. I’d like to work with legendary film directors. Wouldn’t that be nice.

When you’re not on set or behind the camera, what are your favorite ways to unwind and recharge? – I like cooking. I’m not a particularly good cook, but it’s relaxing. Drawing also, not so much now, but in the past that’s been very therapeutic. I’m big into documentaries at the moment. Last night I watched The Work, 2017, it’s about therapy in prison. I recommend.

Aside from ‘The Crown’, what are your upcoming projects? What are some of your long-term goals in the industry, both as an actor and a director? – Well, nothing I can disclose at this point in time. AKA, I don’t have a job. No, there’s things on the simmer… We’ll see. I think my ambitions as a director are more straightforward than ambitions as an actor. I want to keep making short films, keep exploring and begin working within bigger productions. There’s a very specific kind of film that I want to make. I do think that this experience has blown me out of the water a little bit creatively. I think it’s just been such an excess of adrenaline and new exciting challenges, that my mind has been consumed. Makes sense. As an actor ambition wise, I’m not so sure. It’s such an unpredictable industry. I guess I’d love to keep working with good people. I’d love to do both, doesn’t that sound nice. The two feed into each other so well. But ay, we’ll see what’s down the road.

I do think that this experience has blown me out of the water a little bit creatively. I think it’s just been such an excess of adrenaline and new exciting challenges, that my mind has been consumed.

Photographer: Josh Upton – @josh_upton_
Stylist Alexandria Field – @alexangelfield
Grooming Charlie Cullen – @charlieculleneducation
Talent Luther Ford – @luther3ford
Stylist’s assistant: Kayla-Elaine Sanchez Gomez
Interview Katarina Doric – @katarina.djoric
Location Hart Shoreditch – @hartshoreditch