‘We often play the barista on U.S. TV’: How one Canadian actor is making the most of his breakout Netflix role

Graham Parkhurst was once a small-town boy with big dreams.

“I always had a need to be the loudest in the room,” said Parkhurst, who stars with Kim Cattrall in the buzzy new Netflix series “Glamorous.” “When I found acting, I had somewhere to put all that energy.”

Born in rural Belleville, Ont., Parkhurst fell in love with acting in high school. When he moved to Toronto, he started racking up TV and movie credits, including “Titans,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “The Umbrella Academy.”

Parkhurst describes “Glamorous” as “Ugly Betty” meets “The Devil Wears Prada.” He plays Parker, a love interest of the main character, Marco, a queer aspiring influencer who lands a job working for a legendary makeup mogul. Chaos, self-discovery and romantic challenges ensue. Parkhurst says the role is his greatest achievement to date.

“It’s a lot harder to book an American show as a Canadian. We often play smaller roles like the cop or the barista,” said Parkhurst. “It’s been the most humbling experience to achieve something that I didn’t know I could.”

Now that “Glamorous” is out in the world, Parkhurst said he intends to spend quality time with friends and family — and hopefully “grow a moustache.”

Here, he shares some of his current cultural obsessions.

A movie that you can’t get enough of

“‘Jojo Rabbit.’ I think it’s so funny. It’s deep and dark, but it’s told through this childlike lens. I’ve watched it so many times and every time I find something new.”

Last great book you read

“‘The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.’ It’s about this old man in a retirement home and it’s his birthday so everybody’s preparing for his birthday. He just kind of jumps out the window and goes on this huge adventure … it’s funny, it’s charming and it’s my favourite book that I’ve read recently.”

Playlist essentials

“‘Tattoo’ by Loreen … and of course, the Pride anthem this year, ‘Padam Padam’ by Kylie Minogue.”

Bingeworthy TV show

“‘Wentworth!’ It’s so addictive. I’ve watched it three times.”

Actors you’d love to work with

“James Marsden, Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey.”

SHARE: