Dan Stevens Talks Eurovision, Stand-Up Comedy, James Bond, and Narrating Audiobooks [The Fourth Wall #22]

Most actors wouldn't consider leaving a role as one of the most popular and beloved characters on one of the most acclaimed BBC costume dramas in it's prime. However, most actors aren't Dan Stevens. To avoid being typecast, the "Downton Abby" alum boldly exited the series in 2012 to pursue a career in American cinema. Since then, Stevens has strived to diversify his filmography. He's had great success in genre films such as "The Guest" and "Colossal" and even lent his musical talents to Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" as The Beast. He also helped challenge cable television and the comic book genre with his titular role in Noah Hawley's thought-provoking series "Legion." All of this is to say that Dan Stevens is a performer with range and someone who's imagination knows no bounds. This summer, Stevens not only returns to the paranoia driven psychological thrillers he's so fond of but lends his charisma and charm to the first-ever Eurovision movie.

In Dave Franco's directorial debut, "The Rental," Stevens stars opposite Allison Brie in this timely thriller following two couples who rent an Airbnb for a weekend getaway. Shortly after arriving, they suspect the owner is spying on them. What follows will make audiences reconsider before booking their next Airbnb (if COVID-19 hasn't already).

"Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga," sees Will Ferrell reteam with "Wedding Crashers" director David Dobkin and former SNL writing partner Andrew Steele. The film tells the story of an Icelandic duo (Ferrell and Rachel McAdams) competing in the world's largest international song competition. While the movie is full of entertaining performances, Stevens steals the show with his turn as the suave and eccentric Russian billionaire Alexander Lemtov.

Stevens has an attuned ear when it comes to dialect. In fact, the 37-year-old actor revealed that if he converses with someone for long enough, he'll start unintentionally adopting their speech pattern. More often than not, Stevens' entry point into a character is in how they speak, and his attraction to dialect has informed some of his other career decisions.

Many may be unaware, but Dan Stevens is a rather accomplished audiobook narrator with credits ranging from Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express," to "The Illiad" and "The Odyssey," to "Frankenstein," "War Horse," and Ian Fleming's "Casino Royale." Perhaps much of his fascination with audiobooks stems from his love and degree in literature. However, there's something to be said about how Stevens is drawn to words and the endless creativity they inspire when a camera isn't around.

Over the course of our conversation with Dan Stevens, we discussed Eurovision, ambitions of pursuing more voice acting, his time doing stand-up comedy, collaborating with a first-time actor turned director on "The Rental," and more.