Freddie Stroma, best known to
Harry Potter fans as portraying Gryffindor Cormac McLaggen in
Half-Blood Prince and
Deathly Hallows: Part 2, spoke recently to
Da Man magazine about how he got the role as the Hogwarts student in the series, and his upcoming drama,
The Philosophers, costarring Bonnie Wright. Those highlights, as well as a new photo shoot with Freddie, who is currently starring in the musical comedy
Pitch Perfect, can be found below.
DA MAN: When did you first decide to seriously pursue acting as a career?
Freddie Stroma: Well, I managed to get an agent at the age of 18, the summer before I started university. I was juggling my degree and different acting jobs and once I graduated, I decided to carry on full time.
DA: How did you snag the role of Cormac Mclaggen in Harry Potter series? Did getting that role change your life?
Freddie: It was a standard call from my agent for an audition. I auditioned with the casting director and the tape was sent to the director David Yates. About three weeks later, I was told I had a callback at the studio. I went for the read with David and then once the scene was over, he told me in the room that he wanted me to do it. I was completely shocked, also because I didn’t know what I was going to do about the final year of me degree. Harry Potter was a much bigger project than my previous jobs. So it was a big step in the right direction. Personally it didn’t affect me too much. Some attention on the internet was about the most of it.
DA: If you could learn one spell from Harry Potter and use it in real life, which would you choose?
Freddie: I think it would probably be “accio”. I would love to be able to summon objects. Although, I would probably end up using it to just get my phone when it rings or to get the TV remote. With great power comes great responsibility.
DA: We are very excited to see The Philosphers since it takes place in our hometown! Can you tell us a little about the story and the character you play?
Freddie: I had a great time filming in Indonesia. The story is set in an International School and takes place in the last philosophy class of the year. And the characters slowly discover more about themselves, their friends and their values. I play a character who is a bit of a jock but only in the sense that he likes sports. He’s pretty playful and confident.
DA: You’ve demonstrated your chops as a singer on screen in the movies Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song and the upcoming Pitch Perfect. Are you a trained vocalist?
Freddie: I play guitar and sing but am not trained. I would perform at school and it was something else that I liked doing. So once I started acting and I occasionally had to sing in auditions, it was useful to have.
DA: Which actors’ careers do you most admire and would like to emulate?
Freddie: My list of actors that I like constantly changes. I feel like there are also many that I admire but don’t think I could emulate. Actors that inspire me and most actors I would think are Marlon Brando, De Niro, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Daniel Day Lewis. More recently I’ve enjoyed watching Michael Shannon, John Hawkes and Sam Rockwell.
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Freddie Stroma talks Harry Potter, The Philosophers, acting with Da Man magazine 
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