Adventures of Shazad Latif

The British actor plays Captain Nemo in new Amazon Prime series Nautilus based on Jules Verne’s 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas

• Asjad Nazir
• 25 October, 2024

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By: Asjad Nazir

WHETHER exploring outer space, playing a romantic lead, or tackling dramatic roles, Shazad Latif has built a reputation for versatility.

The British star further expands his range with the new big-budget adventure series Nautilus, now streaming on Amazon Prime. This 10-part period series reimagines Jules Verne’s 1870 novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, presenting the origin story of Captain Nemo – an Indian prince-turned-crusading scientist.

Much like Latif’s career, the swashbuckling series offers a bit of everything: adventure, drama, comedy, emotion, unexpected twists, action, and sci-fi.

Eastern Eye caught up with the actor to discuss Nautilus, his iconic character, inspirations, and role as a positive influence.

As an actor, you’ve done everything from outer space to romance and drama. Now, with Nautilus you have gone back in time and underwater. How inspiring is that?

I think that’s the joy of it. You want to do the most varied things you can, whether by choice or what comes your way. It’s amazing to be all over the globe and even in space.

Did you feel pressure taking on the iconic role of Captain Nemo in such a high-profile project?

Not really. It was a gradual process. I had been in talks with Anand Tucker, the executive producer, for about seven or eight months before filming even began. That gave me plenty of preparation time, so it wasn’t overwhelming. It was an ongoing process and not like, hey, you got the role. I felt connected to the character and comfortable with it – I was just excited to get started.

You are known for taking on diverse roles. How do you approach each new project?

Initially, there’s excitement when you land a role, followed by a bit of panic about where to begin. What am I going to do? Where am I going to? Then, I slowly immerse myself in the world of the character, drawing on inspirations from past experiences, films, or genres. But ultimately, it’s all about the prep work.

Did you refer to previous adaptations of Captain Nemo, or did you rely solely on the source material?

We had a lot more freedom because this version hasn’t been done before, and we could essentially create the character from scratch since it’s an origin story. The book offers so much great material to draw from, as Captain Nemo is frequently described throughout the story.

There are detailed references to his posture, the way he folds his arms, and his voice, all of which I used. That really helped with the voice work. There was so much to take notes from and weave together into a complete portrayal.

This seems like the most authentic version of Captain Nemo yet. How did that feel?

It feels like progress. I love the James Mason version, but it’s been played by many others, like Patrick Stewart, Michael Caine, and Naseeruddin Shah in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. But in all those versions, like in the book, Nemo is a mysterious figure – you don’t really get to know him. He’s just this elusive, crazy leader. This series lets us explore who he is beneath the surface, and that’s been really exciting.

Nemo doesn’t start as a hero – he grows into that role. How did you approach his flaws?

I mean, yes, he’s fallible and has his own snobberies. As much as he hates that world, he was still raised in it. He’s a prince with major flaws and needs to learn how to be a leader. He shouts at people, gives orders, and is incredibly stubborn and rude. Slowly, through friendship and help, he realises that he needs others. But, at its core, it’s a straightforward revenge story, which is also great. He has this burning fire inside him – ‘I just want to destroy these people’ – and has to learn that might not be the right path.

How physically demanding was this project?

I had an amazing stunt guy called Gareth, and the stunt team was incredible. I worked with them a lot, and we tried to do some training every day to stay fit. But we had some issues with the boots early on, which gave me a bad back. I was getting massages every week. He’s constantly on the move – walking, running, jumping – but it was fun.

Do you have a favourite moment from filming?

There were so many moments across the 210-day shoot. We only took a few days off for Covid, and I think I only had around 10 days off myself, so I probably did about 190 days. Some days started in a dive suit in a water tank, while others were quiet, emotional scenes. I loved the variety. There was everything – from swashbuckling to drama. I loved the one-on-one drama scenes, which were a nice break on hectic days. Then, suddenly, you’d be learning a sword fight. The whole thing was mad, but I loved it.

Was it more challenging than fun?

It was a lot of fun, but not in the moment. After the first month, you realise you’ve got 10 more to go, and you think, ‘Oh God, I hope I stay fit and healthy.’ You need to stay on top of things – learn your lines, keep your energy up. Your brain never switches off. By the end, though, we had a good rhythm. We’d turn up, rehearse, and shoot. You get into a nice flow, and by then, you know the character so well.

How much does it help being surrounded by other colourful characters and great actors?

They make all the difference because Nemo has to interact with everyone. Every relationship needs to feel real. His relationship with Humility, for example, starts with them hating each other, and that’s also the love story. Then there’s his dynamic with every single person on the ship. The writers did a great job creating these relationships, and that’s what makes it fun to explore.

What inspires you as an actor?

I think you just go with the flow – things come along, and you can’t always predict them. It’s not like I pick specific roles; it’s more about what happens to come my way. Everything inspires me. I’ve always been a massive movie fan, ever since I was young, and I enjoy doing all types of genres and roles.

Do you have a dream role?

I don’t have a particular role in mind. I’d just like to work with great directors and interesting material.

You’re becoming a role model for many people. How does that feel?

If that’s happening, it’s amazing. I’ll just keep doing good work and hope that continues to inspire others. I think the most powerful thing an actor can do is represent. Growing up, I was inspired by people doing what I wanted to do, and I hope I can offer the same to others.

What do you enjoy watching as an audience?

I recently watched the Mr McMahon documentary and the Will & Harper documentary. But I watch a bit of everything – French art house films, comedies, dramas, old and new movies. If I had the time, I’d watch three or four films a day.

Why do you love being an actor?

There’s a sense of freedom in acting. It keeps you connected to that inner child. The world can be tough, but acting gives you a chance to play, explore emotions, and make people feel something. I love connecting with others and travelling the world. Meeting people from different places and experiencing new things is incredible. I feel very lucky to do what I love – it’s a special job, and I’m really grateful for it.

Nautilus as a series seems to appeal to all ages and cultures. Who are you hoping it resonates with?

It’s like Pirates of the Caribbean – there’s something for everyone. It’s got big set pieces, sci-fi creatures, adventure, swashbuckling scenes, emotional drama, and comedy between the crew. It’s a huge spectacle, so, yeah, grab some crisps or popcorn and enjoy it.