After appearing on the popular Netflix series, Another Life, as a genius internet hacker, Alexander Eling transitions into a new role as a flirtatious musician in Tiny Pretty Things, which released on December 14th.

Eling plays a “working-class guy” named Matteo, who stirs up trouble in the heart of Chicago, giving off bad boy vibes. However, the Toronto-native gives viewers the opportunity to warm up to his character as he transitions into a curious and caring boyfriend as he gets dragged into the competitive ballet world. The murder mystery is based on the novel written by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra.

Your Netflix series, Tiny Pretty Things, released on December 14th and its ranked #3 in the U.S. right now, congrats on that! For those who haven’t seen it, what would be your elevator pitch to convince someone to watch it?

“Ya, I try not to keep up with that stuff too much but, I didn’t expect it to be trending that much, to be honest.”

“It is based off of a crime-mystery book series, and it’s set at an elite ballet academy and it’s basically about how far all these people would go to achieve their dreams. The high’s and the low’s, and how they will stop at literally nothing to get what they want.”

You play a character named Matteo. What can you tell us about him, and your experience playing him. Could you relate to him in real life at all?

“Ya a bit. He’s one of the characters that wasn’t in the books prior. There’s many things that they added and expanded upon when they brought him to the series. He’s a working-class dude, who somehow gets mixed up in this crazy crazy world that the show is set in. Without giving away too much for people who haven’t watched it, I got to learn how to play guitar for the first time, which was really fun. I actually had no choice. It was just crazy jumping into it because for one, the way the writing team and I discussed him, was we wanted him to be the audience’s lens for maybe the people that don’t necessarily understand everything about ballet. I didn’t, going into it, I knew basics but, I learned a lot more when I finished filming. We looked at him as the way that people who don’t really understand a lot of these things will view and vicariously learn through what Matteo learns as he goes along because it’s a totally foreign world that he gets dropped right into. I have this line, later on in an episode, where I really just exclaim, ‘Who are you people?!’ But it perfectly capsulated because I’m just like, ‘What is going on?’ And it’s just all this crazy stuff.”

“In terms of relating to him, I can relate that he’s a hard worker, and does what he has to do, but there was a lot that was a stretch, if I’m being honest. He can be very close-minded and ignorant, but as the season goes on, he sheds that outer layer, and opens his mind, learns things, accepts things, and changes the way he thinks about a lot. So, it was a really fun role to play and dive into, especially when he’s the only one like him in the show since the rest of them are really crazy, horny dancers haha.”

The series is based on a book, but your character, Matteo, wasn’t in there already where you can easily refer to to learn how to reflect him in the show. Did you find it challenging to create this character from scratch? Or how did you go about preparing for your character?

“It was kind of challenging because I didn’t want to something that was out of pocket, even though he’s so different from everybody else. On paper, his storyline is a bit of a slow burn, but then towards the middle/end he becomes way more involved than I thought he would be or anyone thought he would be. But, ya it was tricky because you don’t want to do anything out of pocket that people are going to watch and be like, ‘Why is this character in the show?’ You have to find a way to make things fits even if the writing gives you something that’s so exclusive to that character. But the writing team was really cool with that, they answered any questions I had, told me about the backstory before certain episodes came out. They made it as easy as possible, and it wasn’t like it was really hard, but there were some challenges along the way, but I hope or I’d like to think we ended up doing okay with him! He’s an acquired taste. He has a rough intro, but I promise he comes around.”

Any idea on season 2?

“Well, we don’t know yet. Obviously everybody would love to jump back into the world if given a chance. I guess the way for people to help aid in that process is to watch the show!”

Besides acting, I heard that you’re a bit of a musician a well. Tell us more about your musical background. What do you do there?

“I started in the arts. My first artistic outlet as a child was playing the drums. I started really young, and I’ve been playing for a really long time. In high school, I got into musical theater, so then I got into singing a bit there, and started to expand on everything as I went on like guitar, I’m learning the keys a bit right now. It’s all these things that I juggle, but to be honest, I don’t know that I’d ever try to professionally try to jump into that world. If roles require me to do things, the absolutely, just like this one. It’s so fun, it’s just like an added element of expression that you get to add. It just feels like an extra weapon you have in your arsenal to get what you want out there, it’s cool. But, to be honest, for now, it’s just a hobby of mine, or more so a passion of mine. I love doing it, I like rolling out of bed in the morning and just picking up the guitar, and doing whatever comes into my head or playing whatever like folky-picky songs, it makes me happy, and that’s where I’m at with it.”

Lastly, What are some upcoming projects you’re currently working on? Anything else you’d like to add?

“We finished filming season 2 of Another Life on Netflix. We were filming earlier in the year and then we got shut down because of COVID, like everyone else did. Then we came back, and we finished it finally, so that should be coming out at so me point next year. Apparently, this is weird, because just yesterday, I was talking to the director of this movie I did years ago, called Heavy, Sophie Turner is in it, which is really cool, apparently that should be coming out next year. Other than that, if I’m being honest, it’s just the life of being a self-employed person, just out here trying to find the next thing.”

To wind down the interview, Eling had a special message that he wanted to share to those that might be struggling to get through these tough times:

“Just as a disclaimer, this year has been has been so rough. Please don’t beat yourself up if you’ve fallen out of a workout routine or whatever the case may be. Do whatever you have to do to get yourself through this year. Don’t be so harsh on yourself for getting out of shape or not feeling as productive as you could have been. Just take a breath. We have to bounce back at some point.”

Make sure to follow Alexander on his socials to see what else he has up his sleeve for the upcoming year and dailey shenanigans

https://www.instagram.com/alexandereling/?hl=en

Meet the Author

Bio: Pia Talwar is from NYC and works full time in marketing & operations in the music industry for live events. She continues her passion in the entertainment world doing freelance writing, PR & artist management for a pop-Rock/EDM duo. Outside of the music hustle, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, baking, discovering new music, and really amazing pizza and wine.
https://www.instagram.com/piatalwar/?hl=en

Meet Alexander Eling: A Bad Boy Turned Good in the Netflix Series, Tiny Pretty Things

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