Actor Fra Fee talks to us about self-taping, auditioning for Marvel’s ‘Hawkeye’, managing a professional agent relationship and more.
From the West End to Marvel, Netflix and the BBC, Fra Fee has had a varied and successful career across stage, film and television. Most recently, he played ‘Andy’ in Lost Boys and Fairies – a moving drama about gay adoption – and he will next be appearing in Prime Target and Out of the Dust.
We were delighted that Fra was one of our stage judges for the Spotlight Prize 2024, alongside actors Danny Sapani and Louisa Hardland, and helped select winner Alyssa Thabisile Sibanda from amongst all the talented performances on the night.
During the showcase, we had the chance to talk to Fra about auditioning for Marvel’s Hawkeye and BBC’s Lost Boys and Fairies, maintaining a good relationship with your agent and his top acting tips. Here’s what he shared:
Hi Fra! Which other performers have inspired you?
I tend to be primarily inspired by really good writing. I’m very jealous and inspired of the actors that end up getting to do that really good bit of writing. I’ve always been a huge fan of Andrew Scott and Cillian Murphy, which sounds very biased as a fellow Irish actor. And Ciarán Hinds, who’s also Irish, is a big hero.
But I’m constantly inspired by talent. When I’m moved by something and if it happens to be a talent that I haven’t come across, then it’s more exciting. It’s an exciting time to be an actor. The talent is extraordinary. The diversity of the talent and the diversity of styles and the diversity of writing and storytelling is just brilliant.
What was the audition process like for Lost Boys and Fairies?
The audition process was quite straightforward and, like so much stuff now, I got a self-tape request through. We’re in an era of self-taping, which is I think a really good thing because it means that you can throw your hat in the ring from the comfort of your own bedroom and give yourself the time to do the best work that you can in a comfortable environment.
So, I did the self-tape and I actually got offered it the following day, which doesn’t usually happen quite so quickly. I think they had cast Sion Daniel Young, who’s my superb scene partner. I’m such a fan of Sion, he’s amazing. And when they saw my tape, I think they could just see that this would work from a physical and emotional level together. So it was quite straightforward, thankfully, because I fell in love with the story so quickly, so I’m thrilled.
How did you come to audition for Marvel’s Hawkeye?
A self-tape came through from America – because I have an American agent, which was at that time, a very recent change to my team. When things like that come on to the table, you just sort of think, “Well, this is an impossibility,” but you just do the tape.
It was a good few months because it was during COVID. I got a call saying that the director, who’s actually a Welsh guy, wanted to have a chat on Zoom and then I got offered it. So again, all done remotely. Even for things that are of very large scale like that, decisions can be made over the internet, which is mad! But it makes the world a little bit smaller. It feels as though it’s more attainable, these big dreams and that one was certainly a very big dream, so I had a lot of fun.
How important is it for performers to have a good relationship with their agent?
I don’t think an actor necessarily needs to be best friends with their agent. I’m very close with my agent and we are very good friends, but I don’t think that that’s a requirement. Everyone has to be respectful to the type of person that they are as individuals and perhaps to the agent themselves. We’re talking about personable relationships, but what’s important is the professional relationship and professionalism is key.
If you have a good friendly relationship with your agent, that’s great. I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be better or worse than if you didn’t have a friendly relationship with your agent, but you [have] a professional relationship. So, I don’t think it’s a big deal.
How do you deal with social media and being recognised in public?
Social media is a funny one. I wouldn’t even say it’s a necessary evil because it’s totally unnecessary. I guess I’ve always found it quite useful as a singer and a musician. If I had a gig on, it’s a very easy way for me to promote that gig, but as an actor, I’m not sure if it’s particularly useful one way or the other. I’m sure there are circumstances in which it is very useful.
When it comes to being recognised, it doesn’t happen a terrible amount, but it’s nice to be courteous and say thank you because people tend to say, “I recognised you because I enjoyed the show that you just did,” or whatever. It’s all just about being nice, isn’t it?
What is the best acting advice you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of audition advice I got was at drama school from George Hall and he said, “Give yourself the amount of time it takes to drink a beer, to wallow, consider and stress out over the audition that you’ve just had.”
And I’m the first person to admit that it often takes a lot longer than that, but if you can just allow yourself that time. In terms of a piece of acting advice, I think just be real. Just be real to yourself.
What has been your favourite role so far?
Well, I’ll tell you what, that’s Danny Sapani there [points off camera to Danny Sapani], and we just did a wonderful production of King Lear. I was playing ‘Edmund’ and that was a really fab part to play. Playing the ‘bastard illegitimate son’ of Gloucester is really fun and a brilliant production. I’ve had lots of favourites, but I’m going to say that one because it was the last time I was on stage.
Thank you Fra Fee for taking the time to chat with us!
Read more interviews with actors or take a look at our audition tips to help you land your next role.
Fra Fee can be seen in Lost Boys and Fairies, available to watch on BBC iPlayer until June 2025.
