Meet Knyght Darius Jack: The Rising Star Redefining What a Young Actor Can Be
Photographer: Lorna Jones @lcjones_photography / Hair & Makeup: Ninozka Mua @ninozka_mua
Talent, ambition, and plenty of exciting projects are on the horizon for Canadian child actor Knyght Darius Jack, who is now sharing the story of how his journey in acting began, with the unwavering support of his mom.
We had the chance to sit down with the young actor, who opened up about what it was like to film for the iconic children’s series Blue’s Clues & You!. He also breaks down the plot of Grayson’s Encounter, a film that has opened many doors for him and earned him a nomination for the prestigious Young Artist Award, often referred to as the “youth Oscars,” among many other achievements.
Beyond acting, Knyght comes across as a curious and energetic kid, proud of his neurodivergent and BIPOC identity, something he hopes will inspire other kids like him. With new projects in the works, including the animated movie Julián, he promises to keep exploring his culture, his roots, and the boundaries of his artistic expression.
You started acting at a very young age. What inspired you to become an actor?
As a kid, I always liked to do drama scenes. My mom noticed that I loved doing this and noticed I had an awesome memory. So, she put me into acting classes to see if I liked it. Next thing you know, it took off from there. This was something I was just so natural at, and it’s been so much fun ever since. I’ve learned an incredible amount in this crazy industry, and it’s hard to believe how it all got started.
One of your first projects was the popular Nickelodeon series Blue’s Clues & You! How was the experience of working on such a beloved show for kids?
Wow, what an awesome experience! Being a Letter Kid on Blue’s Clues & You! felt like jumping right into a show I loved as a kid. I got to be a ring tosser at the carnival, and guess what? I didn’t miss a single toss the whole time we were filming! Hahaha! Everyone was super impressed and couldn’t stop laughing at how good I was. It felt like being part of a big, happy family, and we all just had a blast being creative and having fun. It’s definitely a memory I’ll never forget.
The coolest part? My little siblings watch Blue’s Clues & You! and they saw me in it, shocked. I can’t even describe how amazing it felt having them recognize me. We all had a good laugh.
Now, you're part of the film Grayson’s Encounter. Can you tell us a little about the story and your character in the movie?
Grayson’s Encounter is a beautiful feature film about an eight-year-old boy who desperately wants to visit his mother, but strange occurrences keep preventing him and his father from visiting. What are the strange occurrences? Well, you will need to watch the feature film to find out!
What was it like working with director Andre Colquhoun on this project? Were you familiar with his work beforehand? Did he give you any advice that really stuck with you?
My fondest memory on set was when I asked the director, Andre Colquhoun, a question about the type of lens they were using in the middle of setting up an important scene. Instead of Andre dismissing me or getting angry, especially because I’m a kid, he answered me and told me the type of lens with a smile on his face. This made me so happy. It was like this throughout the process of filming, as he always listened to my questions and even ideas for my character. I’m so happy that I got to help bring his amazing vision to life.
You were recently nominated for a Young Artist Award for your role in Grayson’s Encounter, a major recognition that has shaped the careers of many young actors. How does it feel to be included among such promising talent?
When I found out I was nominated for a Young Artist Award, I was SUPER excited and honored!!! It's an award that is known as the Oscars for youth. I can’t wait to meet all the talented nominees at the ceremony!
People think being an actor is all fun, but they don’t see the hard work behind the scenes. You have to miss out on things you love doing and go to auditions and filming, which can be tough at times. But winning these awards makes it all worth it. I feel super grateful and excited for what’s coming next!
Was there a particular scene in Grayson’s Encounter that was especially challenging for you? How did you prepare for it?
Not really a scene, but waiting for a scene to get set up was challenging. It was challenging because I hate waiting, haha. A lot of people don’t realize that 1 scene that lasts for 1 minute or seconds in a film or TV series can take a very long time to set up. But I’m proud to say I learned great patience, and it made me become a greater actor.
Besides acting, do you have any other interests or dreams you’d like to explore in the future?
For now, I’m just going to keep learning, practicing, and having a blast in the field of acting, and with every role I get. Acting is like the coolest adventure ever, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me next!
Photographer: Lorna Jones @lcjones_photography / Hair & Makeup: Ninozka Mua @ninozka_mua
As a young actor with a growing career, what advice would you give to other kids who dream of acting in film and television?
Never give up as an actor! There were times when I felt super discouraged when not booking an acting role. I even took some breaks from acting because it was tough. The biggest thing to remember is that it takes a lot of time to get to where you want to be. Some people zoom ahead, and for others, it takes time. Everyone’s on their own path. So, take it easy and enjoy the ride. If you really love what you do and keep at it, eventually opportunity will come.
If you could work with any actor or actress in a future project, who would it be and why?
Actors: Tom Holland and Timothée Chalamet. They are not only up-and-coming actors but also extremely talented with an array of depth, and I never feel like they are overacting. Tom Holland has done so many genre films, not just action-packed ones, and all of them reflect different styles of acting in the characters he portrays. Timothée Chalamet is someone to whom I can relate my acting style. I can see myself in him, being able to project the character the way he does, and I’m hoping to one day work with him.
Also, I’m already so blessed to have worked alongside one of the best actors in this industry, who has shown me how to act and how to project myself as an actor. So, in my books, he most definitely counts as one of my top favorites: Andre Colquhoun.
Your career is just beginning. Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to share with us?
Lots of great opportunities, whether film, TV, or voiceover. I recently finished working on an animated feature film called Julián, where I play the lead role. The feature film taught me a lot about my own culture and traditions, which is very important. I can’t wait to see everything finished! I also have more leading roles/projects in the works, but I can’t say.
Lastly, is there a message you’d like to share with your audience and those who follow your journey?
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for this incredible opportunity to be interviewed and share my thoughts with the world.
As a 10-year-old boy who is neurodivergent and BIPOC, being “seen” and “heard” is something truly special to me. I hope my words can inspire other child actors out there to chase their dreams fearlessly and believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Together, we can make a difference and show that every voice matters! Let’s continue to uplift each other and shine bright!
You can check out my official website at knyghtdariusjack.com to stay up to date with my career!