NICE BOY OF THE WEEK: Michael Nardelli

We had the pleasure of talking with Michael Nardelli (Revenge) about his newest show Dark Web. Check out the interview with this Nice Boy of the Week below and be sure to check out Dark Web on Amazon Prime.

Tell us about your character James in “Dark/Web”?
In DARK/WEB, a bunch of old high school friends reunite when one of their own goes missing and leaves a trail of clues. When we meet James, he’s back at his old grade school in the Midwest teaching trying to teach a bunch of bratty, phone-obsessed kids basic geometry. He was once a big dreamer with all kinds of plans to change the world; he served in the peace corps and was a huge adventurer right out of college. As I think many can relate to though, the realities of adulthood have kind of knocked him to his feet. He’s landlocked back in his hometown taking care of an ill mother and just doing his best to stay afloat. Some of our characters are tech savvy, but James is a bit of an anachronism and feels a bit left behind in this modern world of social media and digital connectivity.

James doesn’t have the most showy arc in DARK/WEB, but I felt like I’d finally be able to show audiences more of who I am as a person, which other roles I’ve done haven’t offered. I liked too the idea of putting a school teacher in the middle of this thriller. People you don’t normally see in the thick of the action.

“Dark/Web” is about the darker side of technology – how do you feel about technology being a double-edged sword?
Well I think that’s it exactly what it is. There’s good and bad with technology. Being so connected is great! We can share ideas so quickly now and find like-minded individuals to talk to and relate to. It seems we should feel a lot less alone thanks to things like social media. However, there is a dark side. We’ve become addicts to our devices – I’m speaking from experience on that one. We’ve also let so much technology into our daily lives – literally into our kitchens and bedrooms – because it makes things more convenient, but we’re not asking all the questions we should be asking. The invasion of privacy technology has created is a bit terrifying. I also worry what it will be like for young children and teenagers in school who now have to worry about popularity and bullying not only in the physical realm, but now, online for all to see. The double-edged sword that is technology is definitely one of the primo conversations we should be having right now. It’s why we wanted to create this show DARK/WEB.

You are also a writer and producer – did you always want to be behind the camera as well?
Yes, I did. I grew up directing and writing and acting in my own little shorts. Sometimes as school projects, sometimes just for fun. It never occurred to me when I was young that I would have to choose one or the other. It’s all just different expressions of storytelling. It’s funny because what I do now isn’t so different from the shorts I made as a kid, there’s just more people around and a bit more at stake.

Photo Credit: Ryan West

You are a self-proclaimed comic book/sci-fi nerd – how was San Diego Comic Con this year? Had you been before?
I have been before! Many times. I love Comic Con. The energy there is so positive and colorful and amazing. Everyone wants to be there and there’s just this palpable excitement in the air. This year was an absolute dream though because we were invited to have a panel for DARK/WEB. We were all literally geeking out and felt like the Beatles. Well, a much less popular version of the Beatles, but just getting to take this huge private elevator up to the convention floor for our autograph signing and doing the tech check for our panel – all of it was like “Wow, this is really happening!” I saved my name placard for the panel – I mean I’ll cherish it forever – who knows if I’ll ever get to be on a panel at Comic Con again!? It was like a lifetime dream come true. And I’ll just say I’m so thankful people came out to our panel. We’re this tiny show in the sea of Marvel films and big DC TV shows and all that goes on at Comic Con. That there was a group of people willing to come check out our weirdo indie show, which has no kind of pre-existing IP, was so heartwarming.

Is there a project you have worked on you wish more people had seen? Something we can direct more eye toward?
Thanks for asking that question! I really enjoyed working on this movie THE TRIBE. I think it’s on Amazon now. I think it’s some of my better work as an actor and a different character for me. THE TRIBE is where I met director Roxy Shih, who I brought on to helm most of DARK/WEB. We have a really fun, oddball, collaborative relationship. Give it a looksie if you can! It has great performances from Jessica Rothe and Anne Winters. 

You can watch The Tribe here.