Man About Town, Autumn/Winter 2024/25

Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, he sits down with his former Years and Years co-star to talk navigating such a vast TV arena, the hopeful escapism of Tolkien’s universe, the childhood move from Russia to England that has influenced the roles that resonate with him today, how he juggles his skyrocketing acting career with life in a band, still getting recognised for his noughties turn in Mr. Bean’s Holiday and how Russell, himself, almost bagged a role in The Hobbit.

HARRY LAWTY

“[Staring shootingJoker] was terrifying. I was absolutely bricking it for months in advance. I’m a fairly neurotic actor to some degree and always second-guessing everything, and that’s always been the way. It was very much like that building up toJoker. Then I had this strange, really lovely, moment the night before my first day. I was sat outside and I ended up having this thought of, ‘You know what, this is too big to be nervous.’ I look back on making the film as so much fun and I never expected it to be that much fun, but everyone, Gaga and Joaquin included, were unbelievably kind to me and didn’t make me feel like the imposter that I surely am. It was a special kind of episode for me, in that sense.”

Rocking up to set on one of 2024’s most eagerly anticipated sequels and films – Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux –could be a tall order for many an actor. Let alone when your co-stars are giants of the trade, Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix. But if there’s any ascendant screen star who’s proven he’s got the mettle to thrive in whichever environment his talents lead him to, it’s Industrybreakout, Harry Lawtey. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, the 27-year-old sits down with friend and colleague Kit Harington, to talk the magnitude of stepping into the role of Harvey Dent, whether the film is officially a musical or not and the lessons for the fictional finance grads in the unforgiving realm ofIndustrySeason 3.

JEFF GOLDBLUM

“I said to somebody, ‘I don’t know if I’m up for [the industry] anymore’, and it was that day that [my agent] said, ‘Hey, I think they might be interested in you for this part in Wicked.’ And, I started to jump up and down and go, ‘Yay, I’m in show business. I’m still in show business!’”

Jeff Goldblum is decidedly still in show business. The linchpin of Hollywood has worked with some of film’s most venerated names – from Stephen Spielberg to Wes Anderson – and been at the heart of some of its most cherished franchises – from Jurassic Park to the Marvel multiverse. His latest endeavour sees him amongst Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey in one of 2024’s most anticipated film releases, the live-action musical adaptation of Wicked. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, the 71-year-old connects with the film’s director, Jon M. Chu for a gloriously frantic tête-à-tête, talking the vitality he gained from the role, fatherhood, friendship and that, sometimes forgotten, time he was the voice of the iMac.

NLE CHOPPA

“I live and love, so I appreciate all walks of life that just appreciate my art, rather than who you are. If you’re a fan of me, I’m a fan of you.”

NLE Choppa is in a new space, and everyone is welcome to join him. The Memphis-hailing 21-year-old rapper has been a mainstay trap and drill presence since 2019 breakout single, “Shotta Flow”, but this year has found his most expansive fanbase to date. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, he talks embracing new audiences, fatherhood, negotiating his relationship with God when his music lacks “righteousness”, the Caribbean culinary staple that killed his Veganism and bringing the NLE charm to the fashion world.

HIMESH PATEL 

“I find myself drawn to projects focused on real-life issues and satire. It’s just who I am. It’s what I like. I also like when it’s just stupid fun, like a crazy sci-fi idea. But, inevitably, a lot of the best stuff, whether intentionally or not, reflects the world back to us.”

From Station Eleven and Don’t Look Up to Tenet and Yesterday –  since charming a generation of British audiences as Tamwar Masood in soap opera Eastenders, Himesh Patel has cultivated a home in some of the most head-turning, prescient screen offerings of our time. And now comes The Franchise – HBO’s movie-making satire helmed by a triad of film and TV titans (Armando Iannucci, Sam Mendes and Jon Brown) – with Patel as it’s lead, playing embattled first assistant director, Dan.

Among Britain’s blossoming crop of international-facing, nascent leading men, the 34-year-old’s performances are powered by an unmistakably everyman, understated touch, but his rise continues to be anything but ordinary. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, he talks satirising the industry’s inner-workings in The Franchise, gaining new insight into the value of his art, what working with some of the world’s most lauded directors has taught him and the advice he’d give his sixteen-year-old self on the infamous Albert Square.

ONDREJ MOKOS

Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, Ondrej Mokoš features in this fashion story “Well-Tied”, shot by James Anastasi and styled by Man About Town Fashion Director Luke Day. “A well tied tie is the first serious step in life,” said the worldly-wise Oscar Wilde. And, in this 15+ fashion story, we celebrate the humble accessory in all its multitudes.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS (BOTH COVERS)

Since the 1990s, one of the world’s greatest entertainers has always lifted us up when we needed a little encouragement: Mr Robbie Williams. But as the legend of British music enters the “third act” of his life, he’s determined to share the reality of a life under the spotlight with an all-new intimate biopic, Better Man. And, in true Williams style, there’s an element of surprise – naturally, his life is portrayed through the eyes of a CGI monkey. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, he talks the healing process of creating Better Man, navigating fame and how, through it all, he’ll always strive to be the entertainer. Head to manabouttown.tv to pre-order the issue now!

JONATHAN DAVISS 

At the heart of Netflix’s young-adult powerhouse Outer Banks for four seasons now, 24-year-old Jonathan Daviss has millions of teen fans captivated. Onscreen, his character Pope is evolving, and off it, the actor’s heterogeneous creative profile is blooming. If the current direction of travel persists – we might just have a new Hollywood all-rounder on our hands. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, he talks Season 4, exploring new ground for his character Pope, branching out into music and his aspirations of turning his hand to fashion, too.

PETER DAMAS 

Peter Demas covers Man About Town, in “Way Out West”, a fashion story celebrating the Autumn/Winter 2024 men’s collection by Louis Vuitton.

DAVIDO

From Atlanta to Lagos, music to fashion – as one of Afrobeats’ most commanding stars of all time, Davido traverses creative media and geographical barriers with ease. Covering our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue, as he prepares to release his fifth album, the platinum-certified hit magnet talks cultivating joy, his indelible cultural impact, Puma collaboration, experience of child loss and the lifeblood power he’s gained via his artistry.

MAMUOR MAJENG

Wearing the Dior Icons collection, Mamuor Majeng covers our Autumn/Winter 2024 issue.