Insurgent star's Hollywood dream becomes reality

The 23-year-old plays Uriah, a central character in the sequel to the hit film Divergent, starring alongside stars like Shailene Woodley, Theo James and Kate Winslet.

Insurgent continues the story of Tris (Woodley) as she comes to embrace her divergent status and continues her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear society apart.

As a newcomer to Hollywood, Lonsdale sees it as the role of a lifetime, and one he’s lucky to have landed this early in his career.

“It’s kind of daunting stepping onto a set and feeling like some kind of newcomer and feeling really inexperienced amongst all of these amazing actors,” he says.

“But it was really good. I worked a lot with Shailene Woodley and she has a very comfortable energy about her and that made me comfortable.”

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Lonsdale says through observing his colleagues at work he was able to pick up some invaluable pointers.

“What I noticed about everyone is how friendly and relaxed and calm they were and it gives the opportunity for them to breathe and just really focus on the work and do a good job.”

For most actors, landing their first role is a long and arduous process.

Lonsdale, though, considers himself one of the lucky ones.

Splitting his time between LA and Australia, he would use his time at home to save money and film audition videos to send over in his absence.

“I did one for Insurgent and about a month later they asked me to Skype with the director for the final call back and I was like ‘wow’.

“So I did that and then a few days after I was told I got the role, so it all moved pretty fast. I was in shock most of the time.”

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The Sydneysider felt himself drawn towards this film, and in particular this character, because of the funny, light energy he brings to the film.

“The film is so chaotic and Tris’ world is basically being torn apart, but when you’re having a really bad day for someone to show just a little bit of kindness is such an important thing and that’s what Uriah does for her.

“Being able to portray that kind of positive energy amongst such destruction is pretty cool.”

Lonsdale got his first break in the industry when he landed a role on Australian TV drama Dance Academy. It was the perfect way for the accomplished dancer to move into acting.

It wasn’t an easy road though and Lonsdale says you have to be willing to put in the hard yards if you want to make it. Which is exactly what he’s done, taking classes and courses and making the trip to the US to meet the people who could help him achieve his dream.

“It’s about making it happen for yourself,” he says.

“What I did was I believed I could do it, and that’s the first step because no matter what, people are going to say no.”

Australian stars like the Hemsworth brothers, Margot Robbie, Rose Byrne, and Hugh Jackman have helped pave the way for younger Aussie talent, Lonsdale says.

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“If my friends and I who went over to LA didn’t know a bunch of Aussies doing that beforehand then we probably wouldn’t have been as confident going over.

“It sets up a good system, our managers have represented people that have done similar things so they can guide is in the right way.”

Having permanently relocated to Los Angeles, Lonsdale is now in the process of auditioning for new roles. Rest assured though, we’re bound to see more great things from this emerging star.

Insurgent is in cinemas now.