We Speak Actors
Natalya Tsvetkova starring opposite Ed Westwick in upcoming “DarkGame’

Natalya Tsvetkova is a Russian born actress and producer who plays one of the lead roles in the upcoming movie ‘DarkGame’. She is acting opposite well known ‘Gossip Girl’ TV series star Ed Westwick. DarkGame is a dark thriller. DarkGame is out in the US on Feb 20th on all major VOD platforms like Apple, Amazon, and is being released in the UK in late March (date TBC), with other countries following on or around then too.
Natalya, can you please tell us about your beginnings in the film industry and best projects to date?
I am an actress and producer based in the UK. Originally from Yekaterinburg in Russia, I spent 10 years in Moscow pursuing my career ambitions, prior to making the move to England.
My love for film began at an early age. Even as a child I was experimenting with video cameras and making short movies with my sisters.
“Even though I went on to study Law at University, it was clear to me that cinema, and especially acting, was my true calling.”
I also knew I wanted to develop my acting and language skills so I could eventually work on English language films. I grew up watching all these amazing films that fired my imagination, and I knew I wanted to achieve something similar for my life.
During my time in Moscow, I kept building on my experience, attending acting classes and splitting my time working as an actress with producing commercials and helping organise an annual film festival in Rostov. While in Moscow, I was cast in numerous TV commercials, I also had a lead role in an eight-episode TV series, Moscow Decameron, and appeared in the award-winning feature film Conference, as well as producing and taking lead roles in short films such as Texting Life, Theatre Not For Everyone, Never Believe.

Pursuing my dream to work in English language film and TV, I spent some time in the US, attending acting classes there and appearing in short films (The Enforcer, Shadow). This led to opportunities to work behind the scenes on some English language projects, the feature film “Becoming” and TV series “The Pact”, which also led to me being cast in a role in that series.
More recently, I appear as one of the leads in Brief Encounters, a multinational feature film that weaves four stories together. I produced the Russian set part of the story, and am one of the leads, playing opposite Louis Mandylor. The final chapter is being filmed this spring and the film will be released towards the end of 2024.
You are one of the lead actresses of the upcoming film ‘DarkGame’. Can you tell us more about your work and behind the scenes experience?
In “Darkgame,” I play a Russian woman, Katya, who moved to America with her son, having escaped an abusive relationship, only to find herself in a worse situation. She is one of several people abducted and placed into a deadly reality game show.
“As one of the producers of the film, I was involved in the development of the story, so I could inject elements into the character that I wanted to explore. “
My nephew was inspiration for the character having a son of that age. It was interesting for me to play a character that had everything to live for, not just for herself but because her son had no one else. She had been through a lot but because of what she had been through she turns out to be one of the best placed to cope with the situation they are in.
The shoot was exhilarating,…and cold! The DarkGame set was as chilling as it appears on screen. The crew were amazing, bringing hot water bottles to the cast inbetween takes.
What was your experience working on set with Ed Westwick?
Ed was wonderful to work with. He was so well prepared, and he is an extremely focused actor. I was a little nervous before my first scene with him, but he’s such a professional and so relaxed that I was very at ease working with him.

Tell us about your work and projects as an executive producer?
I’ve always enjoyed producing as well as acting, I especially enjoy having input on the story and helping organise the financial part of the process, on projects that I have helped develop. Of course, being part of the producing team at this stage allows me to develop the kind of roles and characters that I think I will also enjoy playing.
Separately, I also sometimes work behind the scenes to help other films get financed, as an Executive Producer.
Who do you suggest to see the film ‘DarkGame’ and where can the audience watch the film?
DarkGame is a dark thriller rather than a horror. The film has several layers and strands to it. On the surface it is a gripping and tense thriller. Ed is the detective on the case, racing against time to uncover where these people are being held, whilst my character is the audiences viewpoint on being in the game.
But the film is also making a comment on society’s fascination with reality TV, and how social media can also sometimes be used to propagate and share peoples suffering. So I feel it has a wide audience – from fans of Squid Game to detective thrillers such as Seven.0.
Featured photo credit: Happy Hour Productions
We Speak Actors
Born in Tehran, Raised on the UK Stage: How Mohsen Ghaffari’s Dual Vision and Multilingual Craft Define His Acting Identity

With a career spanning theatre, television, and award-winning international productions, Iranian-British actor Mohsen Ghaffari is quietly carving out a name as one of the most compelling emerging talents of his generation. Born in Tehran and having built his career in the UK, Ghaffari brings a uniquely global perspective to every role—comfortable working in Farsi, English, Kurdish, Dari, Turkish and Arabic, and equally at home on a classical stage or a high-stakes international drama set.
Fresh off his breakout performance in The Deal—a powerful political series that earned acclaim and multiple awards at Series Mania—Mohsen is now starring in The Government Inspector at Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by the legendary Gregory Doran. From embodying multilingual characters in complex geopolitical narratives to championing cross-cultural stories with emotional resonance, his work is defined by depth, nuance, and a fierce commitment to authenticity.
In this conversation, Mohsen reflects on the power of language, cultural duality, and what it means to bring your full self to the stage and screen.
1. The Deal has received fantastic reception and even won multiple awards at Series Mania. Can you share what the experience has been like for you as an actor, and how the success of the show has influenced your career?
The success of The Deal is really down to the incredible team behind it, especially Jean-Stéphane Bron, our director. Jean dedicated over five years of his life to this story, and it shows in every frame of the show. His rich background in documentary filmmaking brought a unique, almost raw authenticity to the production that pushed us all to dig deeper into our characters and the narrative. It was an experience that felt real in a way I hadn’t anticipated, and it was Jean-Stéphane’s vision and relentless dedication that gave the project such a powerful heartbeat.
For me as an actor, working on this show was a journey of growth. The accolades it received—particularly at Series Mania—are humbling, but ultimately, it’s the experience of collaborating with such a talented team that I’ll always treasure. The success of the show has opened up new doors and opportunities, which I’m really grateful for, but it’s not just about the recognition. It’s the chance to continue working on projects that excite me and challenge me creatively that really fuels my passion.

2. You’re currently working on a new theatre project at Chichester Festival Theatre, directed by Gregory Doran. How has this collaboration with such a legendary director shaped your approach to the production? What can audiences expect from the show?
Believe it or not, working with Gregory Doran has been a dream come true. For years, I’ve wanted to collaborate with him, especially when he was at the RSC, so it’s incredibly special to finally have that opportunity. Gregory has this incredible ability to give actors the freedom to explore their roles. He makes you feel so comfortable, in fact, that you somehow end up bringing a bit of yourself, your culture, your accent, your unique perspective, into the performance in ways you didn’t even expect. It’s truly magical how he creates a space where you feel empowered to take those risks while also grounding you with a solid foundation.
His direction is graceful and intuitive, and somehow he allows you to take ownership of your character while remaining true to the story’s core. I honestly don’t know how he does it, but it’s one of the rare qualities in a director that really makes you feel seen and heard.
As for what audiences can expect from The Government Inspector, it’s a brilliant, satirical show with a sharp wit and biting social commentary. It’s funny but layered with deeper meaning, exploring themes of bureaucracy and human nature.
“The energy in the room is electric, and I believe the audience will truly connect with both the humor and the more poignant moments in the story.”
And, if we do justice to the play, I hope the audience can see a bit of themselves reflected on stage or find elements that resonate with them.

3. As an Iranian-British actor, your background likely gives you a unique perspective on the roles you take on. How has your heritage influenced your work in both theatre and television?
Being Iranian-British has certainly shaped how I approach acting, especially when it comes to roles that involve cultural depth and authenticity. Growing up in Iran and then moving to the UK, I’ve had the opportunity to experience life through both perspectives. It gives me a kind of “dual vision” when I’m preparing for a role, seeing it from both a Western and Middle Eastern viewpoint. It also means I’m attuned to how characters might experience life in two worlds, which adds layers to their stories.
I think a lot of the roles I’ve taken on reflect that: whether it’s portraying an Iranian-Kurdish character in Ostan, or an Iranian officer in Flight 422, there’s a richness that comes from understanding both sides of the cultural experience. My heritage allows me to approach roles with that level of detail, ensuring I’m capturing the right elements of the character’s identity and personal journey.
Ultimately, it’s about telling more authentic and grounded stories. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to bring this perspective to both the stage and screen, and I’m excited for more opportunities to explore those roles moving forward.
4. Your multilingual abilities are a distinctive part of your career. How have they helped you connect with a wider range of roles and audiences, and how do you see this skill shaping your future projects?
Being a native Farsi speaker definitely gives me a solid foundation to connect with other Middle Eastern languages, like Dari, Arabic, Sorani, and Kurmanji, and even different dialects, like Moroccan Arabic. I’ve always felt that understanding the culture and language makes a huge difference when playing characters. It’s not just about speaking the words; it’s about capturing the emotion, the context, and really living in the character’s world.
For example, in Phaedra at the National Theatre, I understudied one of the characters when the original cast member got hit by COVID. I had to step in and perform in Moroccan Arabic, and even though I hadn’t done that before, my familiarity with Arabic really helped me feel comfortable with the language. And in The Syrian Baker at Farnham Maltings, there weren’t many Arabic lines, but just having that cultural understanding was so helpful in adding authenticity to the role.
“From playing an Iranian-Kurdish character in Ostan, where I was juggling five languages (English, Farsi, Arabic, Kurdish, and Kurmanji), to playing Iranian army officers in Flight 422 and The Deal, I feel like my multilingualism really opens doors. It lets me connect with a broader range of characters and makes it easier to bring those roles to life authentically.”
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep using this skill to tackle even more diverse roles and share stories that reflect different cultures. It’s something that I hope will continue to shape my career, giving me the chance to tell even more stories from all over the world.

5. Looking to the future, what types of stories are you most passionate about telling, and what are you excited about in the next chapter of your career?
I’m drawn to stories that centre real, complicated people, especially those who exist between cultures, or who are navigating systems bigger than themselves. I love character-driven screen work that carries emotional depth and political or social weight , but I also enjoy projects that surprise me formally or tonally. The Deal really opened that door further for me, and I’d love to keep working across international productions that challenge and inspire.
At the same time, I have a real love for classical theatre, especially Shakespeare. Working with Gregory Doran, who ran the RSC for years, felt like being one step away from the big Shakespearean leagues. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time now, I’ve waited patiently, surely it’s my turn! (laughs) I’d love the chance to bring my own perspective to those stages, whether at the Royal Shakespeare Company or Shakespeare’s Globe.
Ultimately, I’m excited by collaboration, with bold directors, writers, and teams who want to tell human, resonant stories. And I’m beginning to develop some of my own work too, which feels like a natural next step.
Fetured photo by Oscar Davidson
-
We Speak Football1 week ago
Eagle Rising: Freshman Linebacker Kaden Lewis Ready To Make Immediate Impact For North Clayton High School
-
We Speak Volleyball2 days ago
Serving Up Power and Positivity: Spotlight on Volleyball Standout Hannah Edgeworth
-
We Speak Football6 days ago
Grinding For Greatness: Inside Hudson Schneegold Elite 7v7 Journey
-
We Speak Football1 day ago
Driven by Purpose: Damari’aee Barrington Prepares to Dominate as a Freshman and Inspire Others