Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Branch.
Hi Zachary, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I first began my acting journey at the end of 2020 in Charleston, SC when I was notified that the popular Netflix show, Outer Banks, needed skateboarders for stunts in a few scenes in season 2. Immediately, I accepted the offer and was taking a COVID test with them the very next day. After working on that set and seeing the behind-the-scenes of how everything works along with being with such a great cast and crew, I was hooked.
On that set, I was given a reference for an acting studio out of Los Angeles, Zak Barnett Studios, and began to zoom acting classes in January of 2021. I learned the basics of acting as well as set etiquette and how to connect with people in the industry the correct way. After a few weeks of classes, I booked my first role as a Lead in a thriller short film called “No Return.” This was the second set I had ever worked on and to be cast as a lead was so crazy to me, I was incredibly stoked.
I remember being at my friend’s house in Charleston when I got the call that I had booked the role and I was at a loss for words. Following this project, I worked on the HBO MAX original series, “The Righteous Gemstones,” and ended up having a very featured role at the beginning of the very first episode of season 2. I then worked on a short film in Los Angeles, then a feature film in Atlanta that have yet to release.
That May, I worked on a beautiful completely improvised film with the insanely talented Tatianna Kantorowicz who directed a film starring Julia Garner. I was in Miami filming this when I learned that I had booked a series regular role as “Connor Davenport” in the Horror/Drama series, “No Rest For the Wicked,” which can be found on Amazon Prime Video.
I then worked in Savannah for two months on the Adam McKay produced, Mark Mylod directed a feature film, “The Menu,” starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, and Nicholas Hoult. I then moved to New York City for a bit to work on a couple of Showtime series and various commercials. As for now, I have just been cast in the Bo Mirhosseni and XYZ Films horror feature titled, “History of Evil,” starring Jackie Cruz and Paul Wesley.
Paul is also serving as a producer for the project. It is slated to be released on the Horror-based streaming series, Shudder. I cannot be more excited about this film. So, yeah, that’s about how I made it here, and cannot be more excited about what is next to come.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, I like to think I’ve gotten very lucky with where I am considering when, where and how I started. And that’s not to say I didn’t work hard and don’t deserve it, but I just feel that way sometimes. With that being said, life is never easy, everybody has their own personal struggles and I have dealt with things I never thought I’d be dealing with until I entered the industry.
I was super lucky to be cast on the first project I auditioned for, so after auditioning for seven projects in a row after that and hearing “no” every single time, I thought I wasn’t good enough and that “No Return” will be my first and only ever speaking role. I then realized that as an actor, you are going to hear the word “No” many more times than you will hear “Yes” and that is just the reality of it all.
It is so important as an artist to stay present and listen to yourself, understand your surroundings and keep a clear head, or at least do your personal best to get yourself to general comfortability. If you need a break, just take a break. Nothing is forced, you know? And if you try to force something, that thing will just simply not work the way you intended. I’ve learned that the hard way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Right, so I’m an actor and sometimes do stunts when necessary. Being able to work on film sets is such an honor within itself and to be genuinely acting on them is still so crazy to me. I started about a year and a half ago and could not be more excited about the projects I’ve worked on as well as the people I’ve worked alongside.
Playing different characters is truly something that’s very interesting to me. Stepping into a different character’s shoes and making that story your own is really rewarding. I started my little journey skateboarding onset of “Outer Banks,” so I had thought stunts were going to be all I was capable of.
After working on a few projects with lines and having to genuinely act, I realized acting was what I wanted to do. Luckily a lot of characters I’ve played actually skateboard, so having that is always nice. It’s great mixing things you love.
I think I’m most known for “No Rest For The Wicked” as Connor Davenport, “No Return” as Jeff, or “The Righteous Gemstones.” I’ve had people who watch these projects come up to me and that is something I never thought would happen. I guess every project has a fanbase, big or small.
The biggest project I was a part of was “The Menu,” which was filmed in Savannah and had a star-studded cast and crew. I met such amazing people on this set as a stunt performer, full-time stand-in for all of the cast (mainly John Leguizamo), and double for Arturo Castro. I’d like to think I’m most proud of my work in “No Rest For The Wicked” as Connor Davenport. Man, was that a difficult character to portray.
Only 2 of 11 episodes have been released, so I won’t spoil anything. But Connor was not easy to play considering his constant switch-up in emotions. I wish I could say more to make this make actual sense, but spoiling shows is never fun.
Being versatile as an actor is the most important thing, at least to me. I think it’s really important to know what you’re capable of and prioritize those things, while obviously still working on what you may not be so good at, little by little. Everything’s a work in progress to a certain degree, and that’s just how life is.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love Savannah so much, it’s such a beautiful city. Being here is always a treat, great food, great drinks, and great views. I always somehow find something new very often, whether it be a hidden gem in a restaurant or a good spot to read.
You meet so many great people, whether they are local or not, and having grown up near New York City, it’s a nice refresher. As much as it sounds like I’m just saying this, I honestly have nothing bad to say about Savannah, I love it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.zacharybranch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharybranch/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharybranch_
- Youtube: https://vimeo.com/user163955921
- Other: imdb.me/ZacharyBranch
