Luke Baines is a multi-faceted actor with extremely diverse credits. Brought up in Australia, born in the UK, and living in the US, he is captured by celebrity photographer Maxwell Poth in this Fucking Young exclusive.
Best known for his role in the Netflix series Shadowhunters, we caught up with the talented actor to discuss the different forms of art from on to off-screen in this wide-ranging chat. With his new film, No Tears in Hell, slated to come out later this year, rest assured, Luke is nothing like his scream king status, and if anything is a real delight that brings a fearless energy to every project he touches.
We first spoke when you starred in Wes Craven’s The Girl in the Photographs and were also juggling a modeling career. It’s been nearly ten years since we asked “Where do you want to be in 10 years?” You told us, “On a beach somewhere with my wife by my side watching our kids play in the ocean.” That didn’t happen. We have SO much to catch up on!
Yeah, still alone—thank you for the reminder. My mother will appreciate the nudge!
You aren’t the only one! You have been quietly amassing one of the most exciting filmographies out there for the last 10 years. Since 2015, one of my favorite films you worked on was Under the Silver Lake. What have been the most significant milestones in your journey?
It’s one of my favorites, too. David Robert Mitchell is a genius, and shooting that film was definitely a highlight. Andrew Garfield’s such an incredible actor, getting to watch him work up close was a masterclass.
Milestone-wise, I’d say shooting the show Shadowhunters was a game-changer as it introduced me to one of the most passionate fandoms. I also got to shoot in Paris, which was pinch-me cool.
You are known for your film and TV work, but you have stage credits as well. What were you like as a child and when did you get the stage bug?
Personally, I think I was a great kid, but my three older sisters would probably say I was obnoxious—always performing, eager for attention and never understanding when to quit. So not much has changed.
I did plays and musical theatre right up until I graduated from performing arts college, but I didn’t really fall in love with theatre until I went to Broadway for the first time. I saw Spring Awakening, Wicked and Rent over two days, and it blew my mind.
A new milestone is as a published author having published with In Scientia, a young adult fantasy romance that came out last year. Let’s imagine the Desert Island book edition. We are already giving you the complete works of Shakespeare and the Bible. Which eight books would you bring?
The Alchemist (never gets old), Catcher in the Rye (but don’t worry, I’m not a sociopath), Pride & Prejudice (I am a sap, though), Love Story by Erich Segal (a real sap), A Million Little Pieces (so sharp it doesn’t feel like reading), A New Earth (sanity purposes), The Year of Magical Thinking (to fight the self-pity and loneliness), and Anna Karenina (cause I never finished it during Oprah’s Book Club, and on a desert island, would be all out of excuses).
During the COVID-19 Pandemic your co-wrote Untitled Horror Movie, what drew you to writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but I began working on scripts when I moved to LA 13 years ago. Untitled Horror Movie just happened to be the first script that went into production. I have more on the way, and while they don’t seem to follow any specific genre, sassy characters are a staple.
This year you have a new movie coming out, No Tears in Hell, inspired by the true story of Alexander Spesivtsev, the notorious ‘Siberian Ripper,’ who terrorized Russia in the 1990s. It is an incredibly dark and gruesome film, how did you make the character your own and prepare?
Fortunately—or unfortunately—I’ve had a lot of experience playing bad guys. Though cannibalism was certainly a new level of depravity. For obvious reasons, it was challenging to get my head around, and while I always try to find common ground with the characters I play, I found the most helpful thing I could do for this project was to disassociate from myself as much as possible. I had to focus less on the why because I knew I’d never understand it, and instead build the character from the actions that were in front of me.
Was it important for you to identify with your character?
Not this one. The importance was making sure I could sleep at night.
On a lighter note, any good memories or funny stories from the set?
I was fortunate to work with a team of brilliant people, including fellow Aussie Tatjana Marjanovic, who became a grounding force. One day though, my character had to cut out her tongue, which involved me sticking my fingers in her mouth to pull it out (gently, so it didn’t hurt or injure her, but with the appearance of brutality). It was difficult not to laugh—the surrealist absurdity too comical—and even harder to actually grip her tongue. Turns out tongues are slippery little suckers, especially when the person is screaming.
What characters would you like to play going forward?
People who don’t cut out tongues would be great. Or just a project that doesn’t require fake blood?
Would you want to do a musical?
Yes. It would be a dream. I just have to work up the courage / find the talent.
You decided to come out as part of the LGBTQ+ community in 2022, why was it important to you to make it public?
I was dating a guy at the time and it felt important for our relationship to publicly acknowledge it. Even though I’m more of a private person, especially when it comes to dating, it was the first same-sex relationship I’d been in so I wanted to make sure I didn’t have any internal shame surrounding it. I had no idea it would be covered by the media the way it was, but I don’t regret it. Whether consciously or subconsciously, I’d never want to stop myself from finding happiness—in whatever package that comes in—and now I have accountability from the internet.
Outside of your creative projects, you are a dedicated supporter of Oxfam. Can you tell us a bit about your work with them?
I’ve been a supporter of Oxfam for over a decade now, and I’m so proud of the work they do. Whether it’s providing entrepreneurial programs to women in Central America, fighting famine and hunger in Africa, or lobbying politicians in Washington D.C. to create seismic change, their programs aim to end the injustices that perpetuate poverty. Every interaction I’ve had with them deepens my dedication and commitment to their cause, and reminds me that with enough hard work, change is entirely possible.
Let’s have some fun! We love fashion, so I have to ask, what was the worst trend you ever sported?
Skinny jeans, an emo swoop fringe, and skater clothes when I’ve never owned a board… so actually the period from 2000 to… last week?
If you could live in any fashion decade, what would it be?
1920s.
If you could see one movie again for the first time, what would it be?
The Sixth Sense.
Finally, where do you want to be in 10 years?
Happy.