To say is love the show Riverdale is an understatement! I was hesitant when I watched the pilot way back when, but from the end of that episode until now, this show has not failed to hold my attention. My daughter and I adore watching this show together, and when I found out that Darcy Hinds was going to have a highly anticipated role this season, I knew I wanted to interview him. Tonight is that pivotal night (April 17th) in which U.S. fans will see him strut his stuff, and in anticipation of this episode, I am happy to share the recent interview I had with this incredible performer!
RH: Please tell us about your martial arts background and how that led to you pursuing a career in film/TV.
DH: My Martial Arts background and pursuit in film started when I first watch the Superman movie. I must have been about six and was obsessed with Superman and his superpowers. I used to put a cape on and run around the house pretending to fly.
Then sometime later, I saw Bruce Lee in a movie and for the first time, I saw a real-life person that was close to Superman. From there at age eight, I started Martial Arts and deep down always wanted a career in film. I did Taekwondo and Hapkido, competed in full contact kickboxing from ages fifteen to nineteen with a record of seven wins and zero losses. After I started competing in Olympic Style Boxing with now over 140 fights and multiple titles, including 10x Golden Gloves Champion.
What was your first professional job in the industry, and what are your memories of it?
My first professional job in the film industry was for a Visa commercial and my role was to ride a speed bike while singing, “She’s A Super Freak”. It aired during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
As far as acting, my first work as an actor was in the TV series Supernatural.
Much of your work has been as a stunt performer. How is the preparation for being a stunt performer different from that of acting?
The preparation for a stunt role in comparison to an acting role is quite similar. Right before a stunt, I’ll warm up my body doing some quick stretches so I don’t pull any muscles to reduce the possibility of injuries. For acting, I will warm up too but it’s my jaw, mouth, and tongue I’m warming up as well as my body in a different way by doing quick exercises I learned in acting classes. I’ll also go over my lines again and again so I can say them easily and fluently.
What has been one of your favorite or most memorable stunts to date, and why does that particular one stand out?
My most memorable stunt to date would be playing a Werewolf on Legends Of Tomorrow. It was so cool dressing up as a Werewolf and then flying through the air in multiple stunts involving ratchets and hand pulls. But the most memorable role I’ve had is the one I’m doing on Riverdale because I’m doing all the things I love: Acting, Stunts, and Boxing. It’s a dream come true.
You have appeared in a couple of well-known films–Robocop, X-men: Apocalypse, and Power Rangers. What is different about being on these movie sets as opposed to TV sets? Any special moments/memories from these films?
The difference between being on a movie set like X-men or Robocop in comparison to a TV show like Arrow or Supernatural is time. Films are usually shot around a three-month time frame where TV shows can run for years. Arrow has been running since 2012 and Supernatural since 2005. There are other differences as well, including budget, story, popularity of the Hollywood actors and more.
Your longest-running role thus far has been as a stunt performer in Arrow. What do you enjoy most about being a part of this series? Why do you think it has continued to resonate with the fans in such a special way?
Yes, I’ve been on Arrow a lot and I believe most of the stunt performers in Vancouver have as well. My second stunt role was on this show, and I played a boxer. Then the stunt coordinator, James Bamford, asked me to come in as a stunt double for a super cool comic book character named Wild Cat. That was pretty much the start of my stunt career and I got to learn wirework, fight choreography, high falls and more all while stunt doubling for this character. Arrow is truly an amazing show and I think it resonates with many because of all the action-packed stunt scenes.
Coming up soon, we will see you in a special role on Riverdale. (My daughter and I are HUGE fans of the series from the beginning.) What can you tease about your character and how it fits into the overall story? What do you appreciate most about your role on the show?
Yes, I have another episode on Riverdale coming up on April 17th on CW and 18th on Netflix. This role is extra special to me because as mentioned earlier, I’m doing the three things I love: Acting, Stunts, and Boxing. I’ve been in Martial arts since age eight and to this day have over 140 full contact fights mostly consisting of boxing. So to be able to showcase some of my skills and combos on such a great TV show like Riverdale is a blessing. There’s a scene in episode 313 that Archie and his trainer are doing boxing drills and they say and do a combo I made up called Spider. That was very cool seeing them use that.
I recently found out my character, Randy Van Ronson, is a big character in the Katy Keene comic book series, so that was cool learning that too. Not much I can say about the upcoming episode except it’ll be very entertaining with Archie and I facing off again in an epic boxing fight :) I’m actually in a lot of TV shows and films that will be coming out in the future! I just finished a stunt/actor role on Supergirl the other day. And there’s a feature film coming out called Playing With Fire that you may see me doing some light Boxing.
What is the best part of being a stunt performer and an actor? What are the challenges of both?
The best part about being a stuntman and actor or “action actor” is I get to do what I love! I believe that’s the most important part about anyone’s work is that they love what they do. As an actor, you can possibly be it all: doctor, cop, bad guy, farmer… there is no limit!
As a stunt performer, the same is true! I grew up on a farm playing cops and robbers with my brothers and flying around in a Superman costume pretending to fly! Now I get paid to be with friends doing all that and more! Although at times it is extremely dangerous, it is what I want to do and I love it.
What are your current favorite shows to binge-watch? Why are those your favorites right now?
To be honest, I don’t watch much TV! I do love watching epic movies though like Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator… or comedies like Old School, Forgetting Sarah Marshall… I also like documentaries and some reality shows, and there is one, in particular, I do watch called, The First 48. It’s about real life detectives and how they need a lead in the first 48 hours to help catch a suspect.
In conclusion, TV shows and films are magical and looking back to when I was five or six and watching Superman and wanting to be him, today I’m so happy. There’s a chance I can be part of something that will inspire a little boy or girl to be the best they can be as it did for me.
I am consistently impressed with those who make a living as a stunt performer, and when they also have dynamic acting skills, my level of respect for them multiplies multitudinously. Darcy is one of those special young men in the business who continues to make a name for himself by doing what he loves and doing it impeccably. He dedicates his time to the craft of acting and stunts, and this has fashioned him into a force with which to be reckoned in this competitive business. While his name may be new to me and I have not necessarily been following his acting work, I realize I have witnessed his stunt work without even realizing it! I plan to keep an eye open for him in the near and distant future, and I hope to be able to see him in even more varied works as his list of credits continues to grow in number and significance.
I hope that everyone who is interested will watch Riverdale either tonight (4/17) on the CW in the U.S. or tomorrow (4/18) on Netflix in Canada, or you may wait until Riverdale season three makes its way to Netflix in the U.S. this summer. Additionally, please check out Darcy’s links below and consider following him where applicable. As he proceeds to keep himself grounded and make the most of every role he is given–either in stunts or acting–I believe his career can only advance as it spirals upward, and I am quite pleased and honored that he took the time to share his unique perspective with my readers and me today!
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