With a breakout role in Netflix’s The Irregulars and an anticipated new album on the horizon, it’s clear the stars are aligning for the actor.
Jumper CELINE, necklace Amy Holden-Brown
Jumper CELINE, necklace Amy Holden-Brown
Jojo Macari laughs almost as much as he talks. And why the hell not? The actor has every reason to be happy. On the day of our call, the sun is shining in North London. Macari’s had a nourishing – albeit questionable – breakfast of jam spread on last night’s burger buns, and the release of his forthcoming Netflix series, The Irregulars, is only five days away. Much like the other half a million people who watched the trailer within two days of its initial release, Macari can’t wait for the show to hit Netflix. “I’m on the edge of my seat,” the 24-year-old actor says with a rush of excitement. “I’m like, ‘what are people going to think!’”
The Irregulars – which spotlights Sherlock Holmes’ gang of troubled misfits known as the ‘Baker Street Irregulars’ – is not your typical period series. “We’ve got this one character called the ‘Jigsaw Man’ who’s made up of sixteen different people sewn together. Turning up on set and having your breakfast next to him was a wild ride,” laughs Macari. Reporting to the elusive Holmes and Watson, Macari plays Billy, a tough and stolid young man helping save the world from a mysterious dark power. Fighting hellish monsters alongside his co-stars – Thaddea Graham, Darci Shaw, McKell David, and Harrison Osterfield – Billy is the gang’s own resident muscle. “Because Billy had such a difficult start in life, he’s very guarded, aggressive, and protective of the people around him,” explains Macari. “His solution to most problems is to see a problem and punch it. I suppose he’s the muscles of the group…which is kind of crazy if you see me!”
(LEFT) Knitted vest GUCCI, jeans WRANGLER, scarf DR NOKI, sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
(RIGHT) Shirt PAUL SMITH, necklace Amy Holden-Brown
Knitted vest GUCCI, jeans WRANGLER, scarf DR NOKI, sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
Shirt PAUL SMITH, necklace Amy Holden-Brown
“One of Billy’s first entrances into the series has a stage direction that says: ‘Billy enters. He is absolutely ripped.’ I remember reading that and thinking, bloomin’ ‘eck, I’m absolutely not ripped by any stretch of the imagination!” Much to his dismay, Macari couldn’t rely on the safety net of intricate prosthetics to transform him into this brawny character. Instead, he hit the gym in preparation for the role, and after only one sweaty session, Macari’s own superhuman strength began to show – or so he thought. “I went back the next day and my personal trainer said: ‘maybe today we can try it with some weights’. I’d gone through the whole day doing the machines with no weights on them, just thinking I was super strong!” He jokes.
But between nightmarish monsters and a rigorous training schedule, Jojo Macari has been pinching himself. In fact, he can hardly believe his luck. “When I think about my career, the number of stars that have had to align to get me to where I am today is slightly terrifying,” he admits. Starting his career on stage, Macari landed his first big role by being in the right place at the right time. Whilst working in his dad’s guitar shop in Soho, he sparked a conversation with a writer and schmoozed his way into the Jermyn Street Theatre production of A Level Playing Field. But of course, Macari’s slapdash ascension to stardom was more a product of fate than good fortune – it doesn’t take a lot to decipher that. A problem that took a lot longer to solve? The toss-up between actor and musician.
(LEFT) Shirt and tracksuit Y PROJECTS, shoes TODS, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
(MIDDLE) Shirt MOSCHINO, trousers COACH, shoes GUCCI, socks NIKE, sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
(RIGHT) Zip up DANIEL FLEETER, jeans MOSCHINO, shoes TODS, bag LOUIS VUITTON, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
Shirt and tracksuit Y PROJECTS, shoes TODS, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
(MIDDLE) Shirt MOSCHINO, trousers COACH, shoes GUCCI, socks NIKE, sunglasses GENTLE MONSTER, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
Zip up DANIEL FLEETER, jeans MOSCHINO, shoes TODS, bag LOUIS VUITTON, jewellery ALAN CROCETTI
“At that time in my life I was caught between the question: do I want to be an actor, or do I want to be a pop star? Obviously, my parents loved that – the two hardest careers to get successful in,” he laughs. You can’t help but think Macari’s parents must be happy now. After a few stints on stage, Macari’s on-screen career took off, working with the likes of Jim Sturgess on the BBC’s Hard Sun and subsequently joining the cast of Netflix’s widely adored Sex Education.
Now, after grafting for several years, Jojo Macari is ready for the spotlight. But he won’t be hopping on a plane to LAX anytime soon. For the moment, Macari’s just having fun with it, releasing new album Space and Time and Halloween and Paracetamol on the side. So what’s next for the industry’s new multi-hyphenate? “I’ve got a few things on the bucket list,” he muses. “I’d love to play a pop star, someone like Bowie or Jagger. A woke cowboy movie would be sick. Space! Take me to space!” Having already charmed his way into film and music’s glittering stratospheres, there’s no doubt the actor will be sweet-talking his way into another galaxy very soon.
(LEFT) Boilersuit and bag DIOR, hat GUCCI, shoes TODS, socks NIKE
(MIDDLE) Jumper, trousers, shoes and hat LOUIS VUITTON, rings ALAN CROCETTI
(RIGHT) Top, trousers and shoes BOTTEGA VENATA, rings ALAN CROCETTI
Boilersuit and bag DIOR, hat GUCCI, shoes TODS, socks NIKE
(MIDDLE) Jumper, trousers, shoes and hat LOUIS VUITTON, rings ALAN CROCETTI
Top, trousers and shoes BOTTEGA VENATA, rings ALAN CROCETTI