ACTOR IAN QUINLAN'S JOURNEY TO JUPITER
Photography: Carl Chisolm Grooming: Ron Desnoyers Makeup: Elyssa Marie Styling: Jamie Tonge
There are but so many ways to bring a character to life through the big screen, the small, or even to the stage. But for actor Ian Quinlan, the effortless ability to tell an authentic yet vulnerable story through any character is indeed a pure talent that is certainly undeniable for the Queens native. Playing a rebel in one of Netlfix latest and popular superhero series, Jupiter’s Legacy, Ian transports us into his character’s world of going against the norm by debunking old world politics and finding the true definition of good and evil all while doing some soul searching on his own. We were able to catch up with the born-bred New Yorker and got a little more insight to what it’s like growing up as a preacher’s kid in the “City That Never Sleeps”, discovering the true meaning of acting and his thoughts on super hero flicks.
(DH) You are a native New Yorker through and through from Queens (which you know I am a fan of) but what are some of your most favorite times growing up there aside from our favorite spot, Queens Center Mall (haha) and on top of that being a PK (Preachers’ kid) what was all of that like?
(IQ) Let me start off by saying Queens Center Mall will always have a special place in my heart. As will the chicken teriyaki at the food court haha. I had so much fun there growing up. Apart from the fact that going there is one of the major past times for any Queens tween and/or teen, I especially loved going there during the holidays. It was like the whole borough was there. Queens is very diverse, so it was awesome seeing everyone there shopping for their families. They also did a great job decorating the space. There’s one section that’s a multi level cylinder where you can see every level. It was like Whoville, in The Grinch movie. Another fond memory I have is watching the fourth of July fireworks in Queensbridge park where my mom’s side of the family is from. Back then, when Macy’s would do their annual celebration on the East River not many people from Manhattan would cross the bridge. So I got a front row seat.
My parents actually fell in love doing ministry together, out in Queensbridge. Back then my dad was working for an organization called Promise Keepers. Super corny name but they funded a lot of great initiatives. My mom submitted a proposal to them to fund a program granting kids from the hood a chance to go to sleep away camps and get into nature. Growing up there herself, she wanted to give them a different perspective and imagine new possibilities for themselves. Growing up in the church and being the son of a preacher man (haha) was a pretty great experience (though I didn’t always feel that way, especially on Sunday mornings). Like I said, Queens is pretty diverse, and my father’s spiritual path led him and us as a family to connect with many different communities. We started at Calvary Baptist Church located in midtown Manhattan which is predominantly Black and Caribbean. Then he became the youth Pastor for a Taiwanese church in Sunnyside. What they saw in my White Irish American father still eludes me haha. My dad also speaks fluent Spanish, so from there he became the head pastor of an all Latinx congregation. Finally, he returned to Calvary where he’s now the head of discipleship and family ministry. Basically that means he trains leaders how to lead well. He and my mom also do marital counseling for couples who are getting married and for those who want their marriage to flourish.
They’re pretty inspiring. I know this interview is supposed to be about me haha. But I wanted to share that context as their work has had a great impact on my life namely; teaching me what it means to truly love your neighbor. You cannot love someone if you do not know them. You cannot know them if you do not see them or their humanity. You cannot get to know them unless you are proximate and engage with them be it by breaking bread or listening to their experience. Growing up in the church and alongside these different communities gave me a deeper appreciation for diversity as well. Diversity is not just being nice to people who are different from you because it’s nice to be nice. It’s about recognizing and cherishing the unique beauty we each bring to our collective shared humanity. We are each a piece of grand puzzle, without even one we’re incomplete.
Sweater: Desigual x Esteban Cortazar, Necklace: Degs & Sal, Ring: Ian’s own, Swim Trunks: Vilebrequin
(DH) You got the acting bug pretty early on by doing some TV commercials, but then landing a role in the forever iconic Broadway show Lion King. Did you receive any sort of special treatment (positive or negative) from your fellow peers and/or teachers?
(IQ) Well it got me out of gym every Wednesday thanks to the matinee show. I would not say my math teacher, Dr. Mason—the only black teacher at my middle school, who also happened to be from Queensbridge—gave me special treatment so much as invested in me. I had to miss his class once a week as well on account of the matinee. But I was also struggling in his class (I’m terrible at math). He met with me, one on one, every Monday for an hour that whole year to teach me what I missed as well as tutor me so I didn’t fall further behind. Very grateful to that man.
(DH) Most child actors usually opt to say networks like Nickelodeon or Disney. Was that a direction you thought about as a kid?
(IQ) I always wanted to be on “All That” haha. It looked like so much fun. But other than that, not really. Even back then I felt the acting was over the top and not my style. I did a movie called “Music of the Heart” back then where I had the opportunity to act opposite Meryl Streep which I definitely did not fully appreciate at that age haha. Wes Craven, horror film pioneer, directed it which was also super cool. And as it was a movie involving classical music I got to meet and play at Carnegie Hall with Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman (who are like the LeBron and Jordan of violin). To me, these kinds of acting experiences were cooler than getting “slimed”.
Jacket + shorts: Fila, Ring: Ian’s own
(DH) You went on to continue your studies at Fordham University for writing, directing and acting. How was college life for you and what did you discover about yourself?
(IQ) At Fordham I learned the difference between being an actor and an artist. It’s funny you bring up my child acting career because it was at Fordham that I had to relearn how to act. As a child actor they teach you to smile and be cute. That looks really weird on a 20 year old man. I had to learn what acting is actually all about which for me is empathy. Learning to see and be an advocate for another’s perspective, regardless of whether you agree with them or not. Simultaneously, I learned that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’m an artist meaning I create art. I can act in one thing, direct another, be a part of a writers room, doesn’t matter. The point is to create and to contribute to the lexicon of work that ultimately allows us to experience our shared humanity.
(DH) You’ve starred and appeared in some notable works from the Carrie Diaries to The Long Road Home to popular Emmy award-winning show Gotham. How did these roles prepare you for your most recent project as Hutch in Netflix’s Jupiter’s Legacy?
(IQ) Each one of those characters is so unique in their own right. That gave me the gift to develop a wide range as an actor. As well as sharpen my skills and build Hutch.
Surfboard: Station RBNY , Jewelry: Degs & Sal
(DH) Jupiter’s Legacy is not your average “superhero” story. It seemed more authentic with lots more real-life relatable content that dealt with family dynamics, self-discovery, relationships with friends, etc. What did you enjoy about the script and filming this series?
(IQ) What I loved most about Jupiter’s Legacy was this in depth look at the humanity and personal lives of superheroes. You get to see that the line between good and bad is not always clearly defined. In that sense playing Hutch was an absolute dream! Here comes this rebel who challenges the authority of the most powerful human being and his ideologies with a punk rock like flare.
(DH) Tell us about your character Hutch and what you found the most relatable to this character and his journey throughout the series?
(IQ) Hutch like me is a challenger. He sees the flaws in both the political system as well as the establishment of The Union and their code and chooses to live outside of them all. He also has a big heart which not many get to see. But he’s fiercely loyal and protects those he loves. Throughout the series you see him navigate the world by operating in peoples blindspots. To him The Union have turned their backs on him, his father Skyfox, and their own sense of morality…which is why they never see him coming.
(DH) Now given there are countless superhero movies and series, do you feel there are a few approaches and angles that some directors or writers haven’t tackled yet?
(IQ) I can’t think of an angle off the top of my head but I think superhero shows are like Shakespeare. We will always find new takes on these stories because superhero shows explore the idea that we can collectively be something greater than ourselves.
Shirt: Desigual x Esteban Cortazar, Sunglasses, Stylist’s Own, Jewelry: Degs & Sal, Jeans: Levi, Sneakers: Converse
(DH) We learned that you’ve taken up surfing and have become quite the skateboarded during quarantine. What are some things you enjoy the most to do in the city?
(IQ) Yes I have! I’m not great at surfing (yet) but I love taking the ferry to Rockaway beach and hitting the waves. Also bring my board so I can cruise the boardwalk. Always a great time. Apart from that, I think this city has a beautiful romance to it and I love having a night on the town. Pre-covd I often would go to a jazz club or a speakeasy and do some writing with a cocktail. I miss live music and dancing like crazy too. And I routinely hit up comedy clubs around the city as well.
(DH) What’s next for Ian? We know you’re a writer and director? Can we expect something from you that’s more behind the scenes in the future?
(IQ) I am currently writing a couple passion projects which are starting to get some attention. I have to keep them under wraps for now but definitely keep a look out for them. One of them I’ll say is my own personal love letter to New York.
