Shane Ramdhany interviews Taylor Napier, star of Amazon’s hit show, "The Wheel of Time.”  Taylor discusses his experience on the set of this show as well as explores the development, successes and challenges of his acting career thus far.

Could you tell us about your experience working on The Wheel of Time and a bit about your character, Maksim?

Working on The Wheel of Time has been one of the most incredible adventures of my life. From living in Prague to shooting in Slovenia, Italy, Morocco and South Africa- the show has been a dream come true. Not all acting gigs are like this. It's been something special and I'm not sure if I'll get to do something like it ever again, so I hope it goes on for as long as possible!  This show has pushed me beyond my limits both as a performer and as a human. I've performed massive fight scenes with weapons I'd never used before, had fireballs go off around me and I get to act with the British accent- which is such a rare gift for an American actor at this level. Not to mention some of the friendships that will extend long beyond this show finishing its run.

Maksim is a warder, which if you aren't familiar with the show, basically means he is a knight or bodyguard to one of our Aes Sedai, Alanna. The Aes Sedai are an all female organisation that can do magic. They mean to protect the world and are basically the most powerful group of people on the planet. 

Maksim is a bit of an oddball for the warders- who are typically stoic warriors who never show emotion. He is quite the opposite. Always there with a joke and able to bring life to the group. He wears his heart on his sleeve. It doesn't make him any less of a warrior or a badass though- if I do say so myself. He's going to go through a whole hell of a lot in season 3 thanks to our talented writers and I'm excited for the audience to see him grow. It certainly was such an amazing opportunity to play.

What inspired you to pursue a career in acting?

I fell in love with acting when I was 9 or 10 and did my first play, a musical, which is shocking because I'm a horrific singer. I tried to do other things because I was so terrified it wouldn't work out, but always was drawn back to it. Like a moth to a flame. I'm stubborn to admit defeat, I just keep going. 

I think there's just something about it for me that when it's going right, it's this feeling that I wish I could describe in words. It is almost like you are doing magic. It's kind of a drug when you get in that space, almost like a flow state or even a high. It sounds corny, but after I got into that space for the first time there was no real looking back. 

What are some of the biggest challenges you have found with acting? Conversely, your biggest successes?

There are so many challenges I could write a book! I think for me, ultimately,  believing in myself- as cliche as that sounds.  My own insecurities about my abilities as a performer often act as my biggest barrier to success. As I've gotten older, I've been able to work more and gain more confidence but it's been a long road.  Your confidence in your own talent has to be pretty much unshakeable, because even and especially in success others will try to shake it out of you. . It's taken a lot of work, but learning to walk into a room and feel like I belong there has been a very hard thing.

I mean booking anything, especially now with all of the insane and shortsighted cutbacks is a huge success. Gone are the days in acting where you could support yourself without being a major star.  Much like in the rest of our economy ( at least in the States and in the UK)- the gap between those at the top and those of us trying to make a living grows wider and wider. 

If I were to name my biggest success so far artistically? This season of The Wheel of Time- having seen most of the episodes now- I think I accomplished telling the story I set out to tell with Maksim and hopefully delivered what the writers of the show envisioned when conceiving his storyline this season.  I'm pretty proud of it. 

How do you like to spend your time when you are not acting? 

Traveling, writing and going to the gym. Sleeping, lots of sleeping.  What I don't like that I do? Spending way too much time on social media, but sadly it's become a necessary evil for those in my line of work. Though it has been wonderful connecting with some of The Wheel of Time fan community. I mean- they made a full 12 year calendar off of my dumb thirsty instagram photos! How cool is that?

Can you tell us about any upcoming projects? 

I really wish that I could but I'm not sure I can announce a couple things yet- sadly. I've got some stuff coming up that's quite different from Wheel- and I've enjoyed doing some theatre between seasons that I hopefully will be able to continue doing. 

Lastly, if you had the opportunity to ReVamp anything in the world. What would it be and why?

I touched on it- but I think the ever widening income gap between our wealthiest and well everyone else is causing so many issues. And the strangest thing is somehow these massive corporations have convinced many of us that it's a good thing! Good government is by the people for the people...not by the rich for the rich.  I fear we are going to have to learn that the hard way, again. 

The Wheel of Time is now showing on Prime.