We Speak Actors
Writer-director Leonid Andronov on his post-pandemic pivot to writing books
Leonid Andronov, who was born in Russia but now lives in LA, knows the film industry inside out, having worked in almost every role from sound recording to production. Best known for writing and directing, his first feature film was ‘29th Kilometer’ – based on his experiences of being in a rock band – which was followed by several short films shot and produced in Los Angeles. Since the pandemic, Leonid has been writing books, but he’s also looking forward to directing a horror movie later this year. He talks about telling stories, staying resilient, and how he gets his ideas…
Tell us about your latest projects?
“There are several projects. One of my books has just been published in Russia. It’s the story of a war reporter who has to come back to London after being injured in Africa. His rich grandfather, who hasn’t talked to him for years, hires him to conduct a private investigation into a stolen precious stone that their family owned for a century. Also, I’m finishing another novel in English now. It’s a thriller about a father and daughter going to Burning Man before her wedding. The daughter is bipolar and the father is a priest. Yes, that’s how crazy I am! And finally, when I was at the Cannes Film Festival, I got an offer to write and direct a small horror movie. We’re going to have a location-scouting in June and hopefully start shooting in September.”
With such a wide range of talents, how do you describe what you do?
“I always think of myself as a writer-director. In the 11 years since I moved to Los Angeles, I’ve worked in many positions. I recorded sound, drew storyboards, was a set dresser, a production designer, a driver, a first assistant director, I produced a little, and I’ve been writing, writing, and writing. But I came to the US after my first feature film was released in Russia. I started with a feature-length film, which not many people do! So I’m always working on a new thing. Now, since Covid, when everything changed and so many projects fell apart, I started turning some of my scripts into books. First, I published a two-volume fantasy novel in Russia in 2020-2021, now we are working on the English translation. Meanwhile, I’ve produced an audiobook for it, and besides I wrote a script for a comedy that was released in cinemas in 4 countries in 2022. After all, I’m still working on getting funds for my next films.”

What was it like being at Cannes this year?
“It has such a unique atmosphere. I don’t know any other place like it; people are so excited and full of energy. And ideas pop up. For example, the horror-movie project was born when I was sitting with my executive producer Igor Yisark and a distributor at the Producers’ Lounge in the Palais talking about completely different things. Suddenly we started to talk about abandoned mines and towns in California. Igor is a big fan of off-road rides and he knows so many interesting places that nobody has ever seen. We began to talk about how cool it would be to shoot a movie, so… basically we are going to do it now!”
And you’re working on a French project?
“There was another idea that we discussed with my good friend Marianne Bourg, a well-known actress who lives between LA and Luxembourg. We want to take one of my theatre plays, translate the script into French (Marianne will help me with that) and shoot it in Luxembourg. Why not? It will be a challenge, and I’m very excited to try something new. It’s a universal story about a family – a grandmother, mother and son with troubled relationships based on their love and hate for each other. Can love kill? Sometimes.”
You’ve also won a few awards in the entertainment industry…
“Yes, but I’m more interested in getting my projects to the audience. I’m focused on making each of them valuable for a viewer or a reader. I must make my stories intriguing and interesting – that’s my job. If I’m going to get an award for my work, great. But the audience response is more valuable to me.”
We Speak Actors
Marvel Actor Sebastián Capitán Viveros (‘Capi’) Stars as Series Regular in ‘Fightland’
Sebastián Capitán Viveros, better known as ‘Capi,’ has quietly built an impressive international career, appearing in major productions including Marvel Studios’ ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ and ‘Eternals,’ alongside acclaimed series such as ‘Halo,’ ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth,’ and the thriller ‘9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue.’ He now stars as series regular Lazaro in the action crime drama ‘Fightland,’ now streaming in the U.S. on STARZ, with a UK release on Sky Atlantic and NOW planned soon. Executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the series marks another major milestone for one of the industry’s most exciting rising international talents.
Having grown up between Mexico, the United States and Switzerland before establishing himself in the UK after graduating from the prestigious Drama Centre London, Capi brings authenticity, emotional depth and remarkable versatility to every performance. In this exclusive interview, he reflects on his multicultural upbringing, working on blockbuster productions, landing the role he believes he was born to play, and why ‘Fightland’ represents the most exciting chapter of his career so far.
For readers discovering your work for the first time, could you tell us a little about your acting journey? Having grown up between Mexico, the USA and Switzerland before building your career in the UK, how has your multicultural background shaped you both personally and professionally?
The universe chose me to be an actor; there is nothing else that would sit right in my soul than living through the expression of my art. Growing up across different countries and learning several languages allowed me to see both the world and myself from different perspectives. Being away from my home country since I was five years old, theatre became my refuge. It gave me the freedom to discover who I truly was alongside my twin sister and soulmate, Ilse. We both found a sense of security on stage. My first acting coach, Judith Hall, taught me what it truly means to be a professional actor and helped me earn my place at Drama Centre London. That experience shaped me into the man I always dreamed—and knew—I was meant to become.

Throughout your career you’ve appeared in productions including ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home,’ ‘Eternals,’ ‘Halo,’ ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth,’ ‘9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue’ and now ‘Fightland.’ Looking back, which projects are you most proud of to date, and why?
“I went from serving Malaysian food in Camden Town to standing on a boat with Tom Holland and Zendaya in Venice while filming a Marvel production.”
That was my very first screen role in ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home,’ and it completely changed my life. It connected me to my higher self and made me feel aligned with my destiny. ‘9 Bodies in a Mexican Morgue’ was another unforgettable milestone because it was my first leading role. Filming alongside one of my closest friends from Drama Centre while portraying a Mexican lieutenant inspired by my grandfather—who was an admiral in the Mexican Navy—was incredibly meaningful. But ‘Fightland’ is on another level. The filmmaking, the people, the experience… It was one of the most profound, joyful, and unforgettable experiences of my career.
In ‘Fightland,’ you play Lazaro, a series regular. What attracted you to the role, what can audiences expect from your character without giving too much away, and what was it like working alongside such a talented cast?
The moment I read the audition scenes, I knew I was born to play Lazaro. An actor’s responsibility is to tell the truth, and Lazaro is my truth—apart from the criminal side! He’s a Mexican raised in the United States, and I connected deeply with him. Audiences can expect violence, strength, emotional depth and plenty of authentic Mexican swagger. Working with such an exceptional cast was a gift. Great actors elevate one another, and every scene became an opportunity to feed off each other’s performances. The showrunners, Damione and Raphael, as well as directors Otto and Seb, created an environment where I learned and grew in ways I can’t fully describe.

Your role includes action and physically demanding scenes. How did you prepare for them, and what was the most rewarding or challenging part of bringing Lázaro to life?
The most challenging—and enjoyable—part was training with legendary stunt coordinator Will Mackay. We spent countless hours practising fight choreography, gun handling and knife work.
“Audiences should prepare for intense action that will genuinely keep them on the edge of their seats.”
For me, preparation comes down to repetition. You rehearse until everything becomes instinct. Then, once you’re on set, you let go of all that preparation and simply live truthfully in the moment.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next chapter of your career, and what do you hope audiences take away from your performance in ‘Fightland’?
What excites me most is seeing a future where I can continue doing what I love—telling stories through art. I hope ‘Fightland’ introduces audiences to my commitment as an actor and demonstrates my versatility. While I’m proud of my Latino heritage, I don’t want to be defined solely by it. I’m an artist, a human being, ready to play any role—to be vulnerable or strong, funny or serious—and I’m hungry for every life I get the chance to live through acting.
Featured photo credit: Courtesy of STARZ
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