Ashley Zukerman, the 41-year-old Australian actor, is known for playing morally ambiguous American politicians and what he calls 'morally marginalised nice guys'. His roles include Nate Sofrelli in Succession, a political strategist who has a memorable encounter with Shiv Roy, and a sinister US politician in Designated Survivor. He currently stars in Apple TV+'s dystopian drama Silo as a promising US politician.
Zukerman acknowledges the pattern in his career, noting that he often plays characters that are 'punchable', as described by Vulture. He laughs off the label, saying he is 'honoured'. Despite his Australian roots, he maintains a convincing American accent, which he says requires constant practice. 'When I'm in America, or even London, I'm in accent all the time,' he explains, adding that he sometimes forgets his natural voice.
The actor, who rarely gives interviews, admits to past reticence about discussing himself. He finds clarity in his work that sometimes eludes him afterwards. Zukerman is currently in Melbourne visiting family before returning to London to film the fourth season of Silo. He will also appear in the time-loop comedy One More Shot at the Melbourne International Film Festival, playing a character he describes as 'a super creep'.
Zukerman chooses roles that resonate with him personally. He was drawn to Silo because it explores 'living in a dark time and how we keep the light on'. He finds the current global situation difficult to comprehend but believes the show offers a gentle argument for maintaining hope. 'Keeping even a small sense of hope or rebellion alive is a lot of work,' he says.
Born in the US but raised in Melbourne from age two, Zukerman discovered acting in high school, which gave him a sense of clarity he lacked at home. After drama school, he landed a role in HBO's The Pacific, an experience he describes as 'incredibly strange' for a young actor on a Steven Spielberg production.
