Photo by: Richie Lubaton
We recently caught up with Zach Smadu who plays Daniel Svensson in the legal drama Family Law which premiered in the U.S on The CW on October 2nd. Zach stars opposite Jewel Staite and Victor Garber in the series which follows disgraced lawyer Abigail Bianchi (Jewel Staite) who goes to work for her estranged father and half-siblings as part of her probation.
The series premiered to rave reviews in 2021 on GlobalTV in Canada, and was quickly picked up for a second and third season. Season one aired in five continents and became a fan favourite in Brazil, Italy, Australia and South Africa.
We asked Zach about his acting career, storytelling and his role in Family Law. Check out our conversation below.
When did you decide that storytelling and acting was something you wanted to do?
Zach Smadu (ZS): I’m not sure if it was a conscious decision at first. At a young age, I just found myself constantly doing it. I was in grade five when I first got involved in what I would call “organized” acting. It was a summer Shakespeare program for kids at the Globe Theatre in Regina, Saskatchewan, where I grew up, that then led me to join a children’s musical theatre company called Do It With Class.
Being a part of that company allowed me to participate infull-stage productions of musicals and plays, supported by constant singing lessons and competitions, and then dance classes in ballet and modern dance. One thing begets the next, and then I’m about 15 years old and performing and training are all I’m doing. It was extracurricular fun that was so immersiveand it fuelled this passion in me. By the time I was ready to graduate high school, it seemed like the logical next step to try to make a run of it as a profession.
What advice would you give to people pursuing acting?
ZS: I guess it stems from how my own experience played out, but I would say immerse yourself in everything you can. Explore and play. Find people or organizations you can learn from and build a foundation for the skills. There is no one way to go about an acting career. If you’re interested in theatre, start there. Film? Get into some on-camera classes. No matter how much experience you get, there’s always more to learn. If you think, “Oh, I know all of this,”then it’s time to move on and push your knowledge and abilities in new ways.
What do you enjoy the most about acting?
ZS: Acting, for me, is a practice of empathy. The ultimate imaginary exercise in “what would it be like?” How would I act in this situation? How would I respond under these circumstances in this world that I occupy? It’s a way of understanding other people and discovering different parts of yourself in those relationships. I love being able to inhabit these worlds and finding a new piece of myself in them.
What can you tell us about Family Law and your character?
ZS: Family Law is something special. It doesn’t fall into that standard procedural law show people may expect. There’s this beautiful mix of comedy intertwined with drama. Through that prism, it’s such a refreshing way to explore this world of family law. And the law part of the show is rooted in these characters and relationships that are complex and messy—a somewhat dysfunctional family of half-siblings helping other families in need. My character, Daniel, is very type-A. Beneath his bravado and eagerness is a wanting to belong. He can be quite combative, but there is an earnestness to his intentions.
When people watch Family Law, what are you hoping they get out it?
ZS: I hope they fall in love with the characters and dive into these relationships. I hope they get immersed in the Svensson personal family drama nested in this exciting world of family law. Unlike criminal law shows, the cases we work on often resonate more closely with the audience.They can relate to the drama of going through a divorce or fighting over custody. They’ve probably had personal experience with someone going through dementia or fertility issues. These stories are so accessible that the audience can experience immediate intimacy.
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Family Law airs Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET on The CW.
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