EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

DENNIS ANDRES:

The Fighter Behind the Frame

Conducted by Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

1. In Juliet and Romeo, you play Lord Paris alongside stars like Rebel Wilson and Jason Isaacs. What drew you to this bold, musical reimagining of the Shakespearean classic?

The draw, of course, was Shakespeare and what sold me was Tim’s (Bogart) vision. He had a big, bold, exciting reimagining for the story and characters in mind. The idea of being part of that was wild. Plus Jason and Rebel REALLY wanted to work with me… sooooo naturally… I had to say yes, haha.

2. The film is described as a “pop opera.” Can you give us a glimpse of what the atmosphere was like on set and how the music influenced your portrayal of Lord Paris?

Busy! There were a lot of moving parts for the team to navigate. Big dance numbers with a lot of bodies and sweeping camera moves. The music, choreography, and camera moves all had to happen simultaneously, so you can imagine how beautifully chaotic that was. Wild to watch. I think my job as Paris was to simply not get in the way!
No, I believe that Paris was more of the counterweight to all the music and dance that was going on to propel the severity of the situation forward.

3. Before acting, you had an impressive background in martial arts and served in the Canadian Armed Forces. How do those disciplines shape your approach to acting?

Everything you go through ends up in the work, one way or another. Some things just hit harder. I still remember the feeling after a fight — nose smashed up, head pounding, standing in front of the mirror asking, “Now what?” Or getting your cot flipped by a screaming officer at 4 a.m. to “GET THE F%&* UP.” Those moments shape how you carry yourself, how you react under pressure. I don’t think about it when I’m working, but it comes out subconsciously.
That grit, that edge — it shows up when it needs to.

From martial arts rings and military discipline to film sets and red carpets, Dennis Andres has carved a singular path through the entertainment industry. Born in Berlin and raised in Toronto, the actor, writer, and director is best known to audiences for his role in the acclaimed series Workin’ Moms, as well as Netflix’s Feel the Beat and Apple TV+’s The Changeling. With a black belt, a military past, and a creative mind that doesn’t shy away from bold choices, Andres brings both edge and depth to every performance.
In 2025, he takes on the role of Lord Paris in Juliet and Romeo—a daring “pop opera” adaptation of the Shakespearean classic, starring alongside Rebel Wilson and Jason Isaacs. Off screen, Andres continues to expand his artistic reach through his production company Half-a-Plan, and his latest project The Ferryman’s Coin, a psychological thriller, promises to challenge and entertain in equal measure.
But beyond the action and accolades lies a grounded storyteller with a passion for purpose — particularly through his philanthropic work with Resilient Kids Canada and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
As his star continues to rise, Éclair Magazine sat down with Dennis Andres for an exclusive conversation about art, fatherhood, and forging your own road.

INTERVIEW

4. Your journey is unique — from Berlin to Toronto, from the ring to the screen. How have those cultural and physical experiences shaped your artistic identity?

Long story short and a short story long — my artistic identity, I believe, is just a big old cardboard box full of all that crap — immigrating into a new culture, lost fights… fights won, living in my car, 821 different jobs to get by etc. — and it’s been sitting in the rain and snow and shit for like 38 years. I'm good with it though. That’s the way I think it should be! I mean, how boring if it weren't? My artistic identity is just a big, old, nasty, beat-up box of who I am.

5. Many fans discovered you through Workin’ Moms, but you’ve also starred in Feel the Beat and The Changeling. Which role has been the most transformative for you as an actor?

Honestly, as an actor, at this point, none. Matter of fact, what changed me most as an actor is actually writing and directing. Which, in hindsight, actually makes a lot of sense but caught me a bit off guard. It changed my outlook on the process, and my approach to it. It has been a kind of reinvention process, I suppose. And I dig it.

6. You launched your own production company, Half-a-Plan. What inspired you to move behind the camera, and what can you tell us about The Ferryman’s Coin?

I heard someone say, “If you’re complaining about bad scripts, you better be writing.” That hit me. So, I started writing — first as therapy or just as a way to try to figure out what I was looking for, then as a way to take control of my creative future. I realized that, for better or worse, I’d rather bet on myself than wait around for someone else’s yes or no. Win or fail — it’s on me. And that works for me.
The Ferryman’s Coin is a cheeky psychological thriller that puts foot-to-ass on the questions around identity, morality, and what it means to try and cheat the inevitable. So make sure to check it out. It’ll be a pretty fun ride. Winks

7. With your stunt training and black belt, do you dream of playing a superhero or a more physically demanding action role on the big screen?

I mean, maybe? I wouldn't say no if the right offer came through. I definitely would have said yes in the past! But I really just want to tell great stories at this point. In answering this question, I am kind of realizing that even the stuff I am currently working on isn't action-packed but instead more story- or character-driven… funnily enough.

8. As a new dad, how do you balance your intense career with family life? Has parenthood changed the way you approach your roles or the stories you want to tell?

Great question. I’m still figuring that out, to be honest. So far, anything work-related has been manageable, but I’m sure the real test will come down the line when routines and school and all that kick in. Right now, I’m just trying to be present when I’m home and focused when I’m working.
Has it changed how I approach roles? Absolutely. There’s more weight to everything now. I’m thinking more about what I’m putting into the world, and the kind of stories that actually matter to me. That shift’s been real.

9. You're also involved in philanthropic initiatives like Resilient Kids. Why is this cause important to you and how do you stay connected to that mission?

I’ve always wanted to get involved in something meaningful, but it took a while to find a cause that really aligned with what I believe in. When I connected with Resilient Kids Canada and saw their mission, it just clicked.
We also teamed up with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to get a book into the hands of kids — from birth to five years old — every month. That early literacy piece is huge, but it’s really about more than reading. It’s about giving kids the tools to build confidence and resilience during those formative years. And honestly, I think that’s something we can all get behind.

10. With a rising career and a passion for storytelling, what message would you like to share with young artists carving out their own path — especially those taking unconventional routes like you did?

There is so much great advice out there.
I guess what worked best for me was — take control of your creative output by creating. Knowing that if I don’t quit, I can’t fail. Always, always, always bet on you! And try not to compare yourself or your journey to anyone else’s.
It’s a cold world out there. Bring a sweater.

Known for his roles in Netflix’s Feel the Beat, Apple TV+’s The Changeling, and CBC’s Workin’ Moms, Denis Andres blends physical strength and emotional precision into every role he touches.

Credit: Dzesika Devic