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Ahead of the release of his new film The Long Walk, Industry and Alien: Romulus breakout star David Jonsson sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast about approaching deeply American stories as an Englishman, keeping his characters with him, the sequel to Alien: Romulus and getting to play two-characters-in-one with Andy, starring alongside Sydney Sweeney what music he’d listen to on his own “long walk,” and more.
It’s rare that I interview someone close to my age. At 32, I’m about average for someone working the Hollywood junkets, maybe a bit on the young side. I certainly was when I started half a decade ago — funny how time works.
David Jonsson certainly knows how quickly things can change in just five years: back in 2020, he hadn’t even starred in a feature film yet. Now, he’s lined up to star as the iconic Sammy Davis Jr. alongside mega-star Sydney Sweeney as Kim Novak. And when you speak with him, it’s easy to see why.
Jonsson, 31, is simultaneously quiet and reflective, but also assured and poignant. This is a lethal combination for a hopeful movie star, as it makes them just equally compelling whether they’re silent or speaking. In a recent interview for GQ, Jonsson’s co-star Cooper Hoffman declared he may be the most charismatic person he’s ever met, and having experienced that aura first hand — that ability to be both quiet and heard, subtle and commanding — it’s as hard as their walk was long to disagree.
The up-and-coming Brit isn’t all charm, though. In our 20-minute chat, Jonsson made it clear — perhaps more so than any actor I’ve spoken with, but still in a relatable, What’s the point of all this? way and not in a stereotypical high-brow snobby actor way — that through his acting and his art, he’s searching for something.
I did my best to find out what that is.
David Jonsson on The Long Walk, Alien: Romulus sequel, working with Sydney Sweeney, and searching for something through his art
Editor’s Note: This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
ERIC ITALIANO, BROBIBLE (EI): Folks, today I’m joined by David Jonsson, an actor you know from projects such as HBO’s Industry, Alien: Romulus, and his new film The Long Walk, hitting theaters September 12th. Thanks for your time.
DAVID JONSSON (DJ): Thank you for having me.
EI: The Long Walk an intensely American story. It’s a Stephen King book, it’s about capitalism, it literally takes place in the center of the U.S. The wardrobe is very classic 1950s America. I’m curious how you related to that story as an Englishman. Was it harder to wrap your mind around? Was it easier? What was your way into the story?
DJ: No, man. I’m an actor. Look, you’re absolutely right, but those are all externals. What I love about this particular story is that it’s about brotherhood. It’s about the things we do for each other — for the people we love, even the people we’re competing against. Do you make a friend or a foe? That’s what I really related to. Beyond that, man, it’s all part of the fun and game for me.
EI: That’s interesting to hear. I was thinking about all the themes and social commentary, but for you, it’s just a story about the guys on the walk.
DJ: Yeah, totally.
EI: You mentioned brotherhood. How did acting such intense and physically demanding scenes change the bond between you and your co-star? On Alien, you weren’t really in space, weren’t really being chased by a Xenomorph. But in The Long Walk, you guys were grinding every day, walking. Did that lived-in experience create a different bond than you’ve had on past work?
DJ: Yeah, absolutely, man. What I really loved about this project was the physical demand it put on us. We were walking a minimum of 12 miles a day—the most was about 22. What that does is force you to surrender. You forget some of the things you’ve fought for in the film or the character—you just give in. And those are the kinds of projects I love.
Even Alien, in a weird way, had the same kind of demand. I didn’t always know half the things that were around me on set. You have to surrender, do your work, and trust that the rest will be truthful. With The Long Walk, the physicality meant you had to give in, and hopefully that’s evident on screen.
EI: You come from the stage, where breathing and stamina are so important. How did walking and acting affect your performance in ways you didn’t expect? Did you train — literally do cardio—to prepare?
DJ: Yeah. Stage is where I come from, and it requires an insane amount of stamina. Eight shows a week, leaving it all on the floor every single time. You also have to put your attention into something else—your fellow actor, or the audience.
It was the same here. I had to focus on the people around me while also walking. As actors, we’re always juggling, always thinking about things other than “acting.” Because acting itself isn’t interesting. You’re just searching for the truth. And when you find it, you shouldn’t even realize it—you just know it’s true.
EI: Your character’s speech about being optimistic is hard work really stuck with me. But I also felt he was a realist. Do you learn from your characters? Do they rub off on you, or do you leave them behind?
DJ: Thank you, man — that means a lot. The character I play in The Long Walk definitely taught me something. He’s a man who’s been through tough times, and we all have. But he wears it in a way that benefits other people. When he shares something about himself, it’s so someone else can find something in themselves. That’s what real people do.
And in this film, we’re talking about young men who may not be able to talk about their feelings or their past. I learned a lot from him—maybe I need to talk more, maybe share more so others can heal. That’s a big theme of the film.
EI: Without giving too much away, there’s a late scene with a supporting character that really touched me. When you perform something so emotional, is it the same internal process each time, or does it vary depending on the character?
DJ: I totally get what you’re asking. And not to sound enigmatic, but I always say: what you use as an actor is no one’s business. The only kind of acting in my book is the truth. In that scenario, it was: tell the truth, or say nothing at all. That’s what I looked for. Hopefully it came across.
EI: It did. And what’s amazing is that it’s a short film with little backstory, but the bond between the characters feels so real by the end.
DJ: Thank you.
What would David Jonsson wear and listen to on his own “long walk”
EI: Okay, lighter one: if you had to go on your own “long walk,” what shoes would you wear, and what one album would you bring?
DJ: That’s a good one. I’d probably wear a tough pair of boots—the kind you know you’re about to do some real stuff in. And album? Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. I’d get through some stuff listening to that, for sure.
David Jonsson on playing Andy in Alien: Romulus and when the sequel starts filming
EI: Big Stepper — literally. Let’s talk Alien. It’s my favorite franchise of all time. I thought you were the standout of the film. Talk to me about playing slightly different versions of the same character in one film.
DJ: It was a gift. As a young actor, you want to create a body of work, which means different characters. In Alien, joining such a rich universe created by Ridley Scott, Andy was fascinating because he had different sides. That let me explore what it means to be a synthetic human being. And Fede, our director, gave me free rein to run with it. I loved that.
EI: How much fun was it going from wimpy to terrifying in a split second?
DJ: Loved every second. In a film like Alien, you’re dealing with so many intangibles. But if you throw yourself in, there’s joy. I really enjoyed it.
EI: There are reports you guys might film again this year. Anything you can say?
DJ: Not much I can share. But you’re not far off. Your sources might be onto something.
Working with Sydney Sweeney on Colman Domingo’s Scandalous!
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EI: Ha—fair enough. Switching gears: Coleman Domingo’s Scandalous!. It’s his first feature film. Sydney Sweeney produced. How did you land the role of Sammy Davis Jr.? Did you read with them?
DJ: No readings. We just met and talked for a long time about what we wanted to do. Playing Sammy Davis Jr. is no small feat. Sydney’s playing Kim Novak. We talked about these roles through our own experiences, making our way in Hollywood, and found parallels. For me, it’s all about trust. Once I trust someone, I can do my best work.
EI: If you could see one Black British artist get their own film, who would it be?
DJ: That’s tough. Probably Jimi Hendrix. He had so much to him.
EI: Playing Sammy carries weight — once again, telling a very American story from an outsider’s perspective. Did you feel pressure?
DJ: I don’t put that pressure on myself. My whole job is about finding truth. The Black experience is vast. Sammy had to keep up a certain performance—I understand that as a young actor. Anyone can do an accent. What matters is authenticity, connection, and truth. That’s all I search for.
What is David Jonsson searching for in his art?
EI: You’ve said “truth” a lot. Finding truth for who? Yourself, people, communities?
DJ: Fantastic question. But I’ll keep that one to myself. Some things you’ve got to hold close. It’s the journey, not the destination.
EI: Fair enough. David, I’m so excited about your work. Honestly, as soon as I saw you in Alien: Romulus, I thought, “This guy’s a star.” I’m rooting for you, and I can’t wait to speak again.
DJ: Thank you, brother. That means the world. Wonderful talking to you—I can’t wait to meet you in person.
EI: Take care, man.
DJ: Big love. Thank you.
The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence and co-starring Cooper Hoffman, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill alongside Jonsson, hits theaters on Friday, September 12.