We Speak Actors
Chi Lewis-Parry takes on the role of Phoebus in Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’
Chi Lewis-Parry, actor and accomplished stunt performer, steps into the arena as Phoebus in Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated ‘Gladiator II’. Opposite acclaimed actor Paul Mescal, Lewis-Perry joins an impressive cast, including the legendary Denzel Washington and the esteemed Derek Jacobi. As he brings the mythological figure of Phoebus to life on the big screen, Lewis-Perry shares a glimpse into the demanding process, the intensity of the role, and what it’s like to work alongside cinematic icons in this monumental sequel.
Can you walk us through the journey of landing the role in ‘Gladiator II’? What was that experience like for you?
“Absolutely, I’ll never forget it. My agent called me in for an audition, only hinting that it was a Ridley Scott film and advising me to prepare for a physically demanding day with the stunt team—which was music to my ears. The audition was intense; we filmed various fight sequences and pre-visualizations that were sent to Ridley. As fate would have it, the fight choreographer for ‘Gladiator II’ was my close friend, Cali Nelle. A few days later, he reached out to let me know Ridley had seen my tape and was considering me for a specific role. The whole experience was unforgettable, right down to the bruises and exhaustion afterwards (laughs). The rest is history.”
In ‘Gladiator II’, you play the role of Phoebus. What specific training or research did you undergo to bring this character to life?
“After landing the role, I went straight into character exploration, eager to bring depth and authenticity to Phoebus. In Greek mythology, Phoebus is another name for Apollo, the god of the sun, light, and truth, symbolising both divine strength and enlightenment. He’s also associated with music, poetry, and healing—a complex figure embodying qualities of beauty, power, and even a sense of justice. I spent time researching these facets of Apollo, looking at classical art and sculpture to understand how he was portrayed across centuries.
At first, I focused on his physicality—his stance, his posture, even subtle gestures that might convey his god-like nature—but ultimately, I realised that overanalysing wasn’t helping. When I finally set foot in the very arena where Maximus (Russell Crowe) once fought Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), I felt an indescribable energy, almost as if the legacy of the first film was imprinted in the sand.
“That ancient atmosphere brought an electricity to my performance, making me feel connected to something greater.”
“It was in that moment that Phoebus truly came to life, not just as a mythical figure but as a warrior who understood both the beauty and brutality of his world.”
Who were your main scene partners in the film, and how did you work together to bring out the story’s intensity?
“Most of my scenes were with the lead, Paul Mescal, which was an incredible experience. I also had the privilege of sharing the space with the legendary Denzel Washington and the remarkable Derek Jacobi. It was surreal working alongside such icons.”
How would you describe your overall experience working on this film, especially considering its scale and historical legacy?
“This experience is something truly rare—there’s only been one Gladiator before, and that was 24 years ago, so stepping into this sequel feels historic. To be the right age and the right person for this second instalment, alongside such incredible talent, is such a privilege. It’s humbling beyond words to be part of a project with this kind of legacy, and I say that with the deepest respect and gratitude for everyone who made it possible.”
Do you have any upcoming projects on the horizon that you’re particularly excited about?
“Gladiator II has prepared me in so many ways for what’s on the horizon, particularly by pushing me to new limits physically and creatively.”
“I’m especially thrilled about reuniting with Danny Boyle soon; he’s someone I deeply respect as both an artist and a visionary director. He has an incredible eye for storytelling, and working with him feels like a masterclass. There are a few things I can’t reveal just yet, but let’s just say, I’m very excited for what’s next, and I think the audience will be too!”
Featured photo credit: Full Frame Atelier
Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth interview with renowned actor, writer & producer, Dan Lauria.
Dan Lauria is a highly popular and beloved actor, writer and producer who became a household name for his portrayal of “Jack Arnold”, the stern, gruff but loving father of “Kevin”, played by Fred Savage, on the hit TV series “The Wonder Years”, for which he was nominated for an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV series.
You also remember him as “Jack Sullivan”, Steve Byrne’s father in another great sitcom, “Sullivan & Son”. And of course, he played “Al Luongo”, manager of the San Diego Padres, in the best TV series ever made about major league baseball, “Pitch”. And he played “Leonard Fero” the angry head coach of the New England Knights basketball team, in yet another TV series about professional sports, “The Hoop Life”.
But beyond those iconic roles, Dan Lauria has brought us countless memorable performances on the stage and screen. You’ve seen him in many great movies including “Without a Trace”, “9 ½ Weeks”, “Stakeout”, “Another Stakeout”, “Independence Day”, “Wide Awake”, “Total Stranger”, “The Signs of the Cross”, “Miranda’s Victim”, and most recently, he played Tipp O’Neill in “Reagan”.
On television, in addition to the TV shows already mentioned, he’s appeared in dozens of classic series including “Hill Street Blues”, “L.A. Law”, “Cagney & Lacey”, “NYPD Blue”, “Touched by an Angel”, “ER”, “Law and Order”, “JAG”, “The Good Wife”, “Shameless”, “This is Us” and many more.
Dan Lauria also starred in a number of terrific TV movies and miniseries including “At Mother’s Request”, “David”, “Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story”, “The Great Los Angeles Earthquake”, “Overexposed”, “Terror in the Family”, and “From the Earth to the Moon”, to name only a few.
And on the stage, he’s appeared on Broadway in “Lombardi” and “A Christmas Story: The Musical”. And off-Broadway, he’s appeared in many shows including “Game Plan”, “Dinner with the Boys” and “Just Another Day”, ALL of which he also wrote.
And if all of that weren’t enough, Dan Lauria has also written 3 children’s books in a series called “The Godfather Tales”.
Harvey Brownstone is a retired judge of the Ontario Court of Justice and was the first openly gay judge in Canada. He is also the bestselling author of “Tug of War: A Judge’s Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the Bitter Realities of Family Court” and hosted “Family Matters with Justice Harvey Brownstone,” a television talk show on matters involving the family justice system.
After a distinguished legal career, Harvey was appointed a judge at the age of 38 in 1995. He has presided in family and criminal courts. He has been a trailblazer in several ways. He was the first openly gay judge in Canada. He was the first sitting judge in the world to write a national best seller and to host a TV talk show.
Harvey has been a role model and icon in the LGBTQ community. When same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada in 2003, he was the only judge to make himself publicly available to officiate at weddings for lesbian and gay couples travelling to Toronto from all over the world to get married. In 2007, he officiated at the wedding of Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer, the American couple whose marriage triggered the 2013 United States Supreme Court decision overturning the definition of “spouse” in the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
In February 2021, Harvey launched his online talk show “Harvey Brownstone Interviews” on his own YouTube channel. He saw this as an interesting hobby. Within several months, the show attracted hundreds of thousands – and then eventually, millions – of viewers. Because of the overwhelming success of the show, Harvey decided to retire from the judiciary on December 31, 2021 after having presided as a full-time judge for 26 1/2 years. Free from the constraints imposed upon judges regarding the expression of opinions and the endorsement of private enterprise, Harvey now happily devotes his full-time attention to hosting “Harvey Brownstone Interviews” as a regular member of the public – albeit one with a rather illustrious and unique career history.
Watch Dan Lauria on Harvey Brownstone Interviews on Youtube here:
The official website for Harvey Brownstone Interviews may be found at https://www.harveybrownstoneinterviews.com
Get “The Talk Show Blend” – Coffee For The Modern Day Trailblazer! By Harvey Brownstone from Breakfast At Dominique’s available at https://www.HollywoodBlends.com
For more information about Harvey Brownstone, here’s his Wikipedia page:
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