“My first love came from just people watching and being fascinated by how people move and act in situations,” actor Spike Fearn shares, his voice tinged with nostalgia. Situated on a couch in London, the 20-something-year-old actor—who stars in Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus, the newest film from the horror-thriller science-fiction franchise—takes my video call as night falls on his new home city.

After a fraught few moments of bad connection at the beginning of the call, Fearn’s voice crackles through the wire: “Is that a Brain Dead ring?” he says. I smile. Fearn is, after all, a Gen Z British kid. The rising star’s genuine curiosity and assiduousness—qualities that undoubtedly serve him well as he steps into the iconic Alien universe—prove he’s eager to pay homage to the things that formed him and set the tone for the rest of our conversation.

Born in Coalville, Leicestershire, a conversation about a burgeoning acting career and an upcoming editorial feature might seem worlds apart from the countryside Fearn once knew. “Where I grew up was a small village surrounded by a few towns, with no real creative subject or vision anywhere,” he notes. Despite the quaint, lush backdrop of greater England, acting wasn’t an obvious path for him. Yet Fearn’s inner circle nurtured his early aspirations. “My teachers would say, ‘You should have a crack at acting,’” Fearn reflects, “and my friend’s parents, along with my mom, would always try to push me into it.”

After diving into this curiosity, Fearn landed his debut film role as Elvis in Marley Morrison’s 2021 film Sweetheart and later appeared as Louis in ITV2’s series Tell Me Everything. These roles marked his entry into the industry and set the stage for a string of projects that would propel him to new heights over the next three years. Now based in London, Fearn has taken on increasingly dynamic roles on both the big and small screens, further cementing his presence in the industry and showcasing his versatility to audiences.

Fearn credits his expanding catalog with his love for the hit show Skins. “I was really into the character of Cook because he sounded a little bit like where I was from, and I’d never heard that on the telly or on anything before” he gladly notes. Inspired by the realism of the 2007 British series and its close resemblance to his identity, there weren’t many programs that dealt with the nuanced—and often uncomfortable themes that were explored—while also bringing together a group of dynamic aspiring actors of the time, most of whom would eventually became household names: Daniel Kaluuya. Nicholas Hoult. Dev Patel.

Fearn remained attracted to the art of acting as he began to take on more ambitious projects himself. “I enjoyed watching actors’ catalogs and seeing what actors were doing at [the age I was at] and being inspired by how they were choosing really smart roles and playing people very different from themselves,” the blue-eyed actor notes as he repositions himself in the frame. “I enjoyed the acting more than the films, and then my love of film came afterward. It took me a while to get over just watching actors in films and instead try to enjoy the films themselves.”

Continuously immersing himself in the world of cinema, while also working alongside seasoned actors and crews, has provided Fearn with an insight and discipline that many receive in formal education. “Getting the chance to do the films I’ve done, especially watching Paul [Mescal] in Aftersun, and observing talented actors at work has been incredible,” Fearn shares. “I try to learn as much as possible because I didn’t go to drama school. The projects I’ve been involved in have served as my drama school. At the start of each project, I tell myself, ‘I need to watch everyone closely because this might be my only chance to see these great actors in action.’”

Carrying this intention from one set to the next, Fearn’s commitment to evolving as an actor is evident in the characters he inhabits, where the emotions he conveys resonate powerfully through the screen, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. “Every time I step in front of the camera, I want to bring something new and something fresh,” he affirms.

Despite his roots in realism and more independent work, he was offered new challenges and uncovered insights among the company of the crew of Alien: Romulus. Fede Álvarez, the project’s director, often had to point out to him the location of the cameras.

“I usually work in realism, where you can sometimes forget about the cameras while focusing on staying in the moment,” he goes on. “But Fede [Álvarez] taught me on Alien, saying, ‘There are certain ways you can look at the camera that make it work better for cinema.’” This relentless curiosity and drive to deepen his craft continue to establish Fearn as an actor to watch, and have already landed him a spot on Screen Daily’s “Stars of Tomorrow” list.

In the upcoming James L. Brooks comedy Ella McCay, which features an unparalleled ensemble cast including Emma Mackey, Woody Harrelson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ayo Edebiri, Fearn reflects on the immense privilege of working on such a high-caliber production and the invaluable advice he received in the process of staying true to himself and persevering in the industry. “The experience on Ella McCay is something I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life,” he admits with admiration.

As we exchange farewells, I ask the actor what he hopes to achieve in the career he’s so passionately building. His enthusiasm is palpable. He pauses thoughtfully: “I’m just focused on moving forward and chasing the feelings I have when I’m on set, working on great projects.” Fearn’s words and his journey are not just about the roles or the recognition; they’re about the experience, the learning, and the pure, unfiltered joy of doing what he loves—driven by a deep, unwavering commitment.

Photographed by Selah Tennberg

Styled by Madeleine Kennedy

Written by Michael Anthony Hall

Grooming: Kristen Shaw at The Wall Group

Flaunt Film: Cooper Davis

Production Assistant: Ella Brignoni