IN CONVERSATION WITH
FALY RAKOTOHAVANA
Actor and UnPrisoned star Faly Rakotohavana is currently starring in the critically acclaimed hit Hulu series ‘UnPrisoned’ as Kerry Washington’s son, which premiered its second season on 17th July.
Faly, we’re able to watch you in the second season of ‘UnPrisoned’ this Summer. How would you sum up the second season?
Lots of therapy, a bigger cast, and more drama.
How did the second season pick up from where the first ended?
The first season ended in a pretty heavy place and season 2 picked up right where it left off. There are quite a few loose ends that needed some fixing, and John Stamos is here.
Tell us more about how you personally connect with your character, Finn.
Finn is a teenager that is growing up. Who can’t connect with Finn? He’s learning to think for himself and that stage of your life is always scary and awkward. It was interesting getting to go back and live through that point of my life again, learning who you are or who you want to be, talking to people and learning how to make friends. He’s making some serious changes and I can’t wait for people to see it.
How do you think Finn has developed since the first time we’ve seen him in the series?
In Season 1, we kind of see Finn more from Paige and Edwin’s perspective. But this season, we get to live in Finn’s head a little. He’s growing up and is starting to think more for himself, and we get to watch it happen in real time.
Getting to work with Kerry Washington must be really exciting for you. How nervous were you the first time coming on set, working with her?
I was just trying to hold it together because you have to stay professional, but I was definitely freaking out. The first day was the hardest for me, but after that, the nerves slowly started to settle in.
How did you get into acting? What fueled your passion for it?
I’ve always wanted to act and be on TV. I’ve grown up watching ‘Spiderman’ and ‘Harry Potter’, so I would always re-enact all of my favorite scenes.
Is there a role you’ve done so far you could say truly stands out to you, and why?
Definitely ‘UnPrisoned’ This project has always just felt so massive to me. Probably because I’m just a little guy, but our audience interactions have been so authentic and honest. I didn’t realize how many people really related to the show until it came out.
What kind of roles are you most excited to portray in the future of your career?
Honestly, I have no idea which roles would most excite me. I will literally take anything and everything. I would love to do some horror movies though. Horror is my favorite genre ever, so I would love to do more of that someday.
How do you enjoy spending your free days?
Rock climbing, shopping and watching movies. I have an AMC A-list account, so I’m at the movies all the time. I’m a big shopper and it’s actually a huge problem, but I am working on it. And rock climbing is just awesome.
What can you share with us about your upcoming projects?
I’m not able to share anything right now, but hopefully the road is long and fruitful.
TEAM CREDITS:
photographer LINDSEY RUTH
stylist ALEX CLOUGH
grooming JESSICA ROBERTSON