Noah Fearnley: "This is clearly a format that's here to stay."

British journalist Jen Cooper met with Noah Fearnley, one of the most recognizable faces in Western Duanju. Behind a presence now familiar to millions of viewers, the American actor offers a candid account of his career, his relationship to work, and how the vertical format has profoundly changed his life.

Noah Fearnley wasn't destined for acting. He grew up in Connecticut, moved between several American cities, and envisioned himself primarily in American football, with the stated goal of making it to the NFL. A knee injury abruptly ended that dream. "American football was my whole life. Then it was taken away from me." This rupture marked a turning point. Modeling came almost by default, then acting, not as a quest for visibility, but as an unexpected space for expression.

The relentless pace of vertical dramas then took hold with extreme intensity. Noah Fearnley filmed back-to-back series for very long periods, sometimes more than eighty consecutive days, accumulating over fifty shows. This rhythm became both an opportunity and a danger. "I started to lose myself. I no longer knew who I was." The constant work acted as a driving force, but also as a way to avoid feeling empty, to the point of blurring the line between the character and the man.

The audience then plays a central role. The actor emphasizes the direct connection with the spectators, which now influences his artistic choices. More than fame or the number of projects, it is the emotional reception that counts. Some roles become difficult to bear when they come too close to his own personality, because they end up encroaching on his personal life.

This individual trajectory reflects the broader evolution of vertical drama. Noah Fearnley has witnessed the format's transformation from a niche space, driven by a few actors and small crews, to a structured, international industry. "It's clearly a format that's here to stay." This rapid growth, he believes, also necessitates a rethinking of the actors' roles and their long-term stability.

Throughout the interview, one idea keeps recurring: behind the accumulation of roles, there remains a man in the process of rebuilding himself. Noah Fearnley speaks frankly about mental health, loneliness, and the difficulty of existing outside the characters he portrays. "I'm still working on myself." A simple sentence that sheds light on the behind-the-scenes reality of a format often perceived as lighthearted, but which is profoundly demanding for those who bring it to life.

Interview conducted by Jen Cooper, check out her YouTube channel.

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