When D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai sat down to discuss his Wonderland feature he had one request: that a Native accessory be included. While it may have been a requisition that doesn’t come our way so often, representing his Native culture with pride is standard procedure for the breakthrough actor. When it came to making his debut in a feature film, Mohawk-Canadian filmmaker Tracey Deer’s semi-autobiographical Beans was the 22-year-old’s pick. Recounting the somber tale of the Oka Crisis in Canada – which saw the town of Oka in Quebec in tense conflict over land with a group of Mohawk civilians in July 1990 – D’Pharaoh played a pivotal role in spotlighting the hardships Indigenous groups have faced throughout history.

After throwing himself into a portrayal of Native history, the actor then set his sights on making it. Joining creators Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi for the first American series to feature an all-Indigenous writing and directing crew, D’Pharaoh starred in the comedy-drama Reservation Dogs as the chaos-prone Bear Smallhill – one of four Indigenous teens navigating their way out of their isolated reservation by any means necessary. And, naturally, that Indigenous excellence throughout the three seasons of the show transpired into awards buzz, with the show receiving Emmy Award, Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice nominations in its wake.

D’Pharaoh’s movements are more than just a race towards the top – they’re made with the intention of celebrating a core component of his identity. Perhaps it is this dedication that caught the eye of his latest collaborator, revered screenwriter and director, Alex Garland. Joining Alex’s cast of what can be best described as Hollywood’s answer to the ultimate boyband – which includes the likes of Kit Connor, Will Poulter, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn and Cosmo Jarvis – D’Pharaoh’s currently taking his talents across the pond for work on A24’s Warfare, which is currently filming in the UK.

No release date is in sight just yet, meaning you may be waiting a little while for the rising actor’s face to take over your screen once more. But just know, when he reappears, you’ll be getting the full D’Pharaoh experience.

At the age of just 22, you already have an impressive roster of projects under your belt. Was acting a passion you wanted to build on from an early age?

D’Pharoah Woon-A-Tai: No, honestly, I had no clue what I would do with my life, let alone pursue acting. It never even crossed my mind as a possibility.

Who would you say has been the most important person in your journey that’s helped you to get to where you are now?

DW: That’s tough because so many people believed in me throughout my career. It’s hard to pick just one, but being mentored by the great actor Graham Greene was a highlight. In a short time, he taught me the right way to do things and showed me the ropes.

You requested to have a Native piece included in your Wonderland shoot. Why is it important to have a physical representation of your culture in editorial projects you undertake?

DW: I’m passionate about providing a platform for diverse artists to showcase their work. It’s about showing that our art is just as significant as any other designer, and I want to highlight the diversity within our communities through my work and the press.

Your project Reservation Dogs was the first American series to feature all indigenous writers and directors. How did it feel to be a part of a project that is not only history-making but also one that is a beautiful celebration of your culture?

DW: It’s about time this happened. I feel ashamed that the film industry took so long to reach this point. Finally, being able to tell our story our way, as the first Native writers and directors to make a comedy, speaks volumes about how we perceive our communities versus how others see us.

To read the full interview, pre-order the issue here.