Asa Butterfield plays the loveable, insecure Otis on the Netflix Original series *Sex Education*. He’s been an actor since he was nine years old, but has he ever used those skills IRL? He answers that question and more in this episode.
Asa Butterfield plays the loveable, insecure Otis on the Netflix Original series Sex Education. He’s been an actor since he was nine years old, but has he ever used those skills IRL? He answers that question and more in this episode.
[Music]
Catherine: Hey, you guys. Welcome to I Hate Talking About Myself. On this podcast, your favorite stars from Netflix series and films interview themselves. We write the questions, and then our guests select them in the most scientific way possible, by pulling them out of a bowl.
Today, in the hot seat, we got Asa Butterfield. He’s the star of the Netflix original series, Sex Education. And he thought quite a bit about what his superpower would be. Take it away, Asa.
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Asa: Hello, I’m Asa Butterfield. I’m on a new Netflix series, Sex Education. And, today, I’m interviewing myself.
Question One: What’s your worst fashion mistake? I don’t know if this—if it’s my worst, but quite often I find myself going down to the, to the local shops in my pajamas, in a dressing gown. In fact, that’s not a fashion mistake. That’s just straight fashion.
What’s the one show you watch over and over? Avatar: The Last Airbender. I just finished it for the third time, I think, watching it with my flatmate. He’s never seen it before. Fuck, it’s good. If you haven’t watched it—I, I know it’s a kid’s show but, even as an adult—it’s brilliant. Like, it’s, honestly, honestly, one of the best animated series ever made for anyone.
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Asa: Have you ever used your acting skills in real life? Tell us about it. When I was little—when I was younger—and I had a big brother—I have a big brother—And, well, I, I don’t really remember doing this but, apparently, what I’d always do—I would get in trouble—I used to be able to just turn on the tears whenever I wanted when I was a kid and, and get my brother in a load of shit. So, apparently, I was a real dick about that.
How can someone win me over? There’s a few things they can do, actually. I think—well, really, anyone who can solve—You don’t have to have things in common with people, but just to be able to have an interesting conversation with someone’s always nice. And, if they are interested in things—the same things as you are—then great. Like, I love talking to people about anime and Smash Bros. and Japanese culture and food and music. So anyone who’s into that, really, can win me over with a good argument.
If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be? Might be drawing, like art. I think that would be so cool. I wish I could draw or singing or dancing or coding. Yep.
What are the most recently used emojis on my phone? And why? Oh, here we go. I rather love heart—classic. I got the, the flames. That’s another good one. The, the spud. The, the prayer symbol because got to pray, man. Got to pray for things. And a kitchen knife—don’t know why that’s there. And the eyes, the googly eyes.
Who was the first famous person I met? And was I awkward? The first film I did—like, proper film—I was working with David Thewlis and Vera Farmiga. But I was, like, 10 years old, so I was, like—I didn’t get—I didn’t know who they were at the time, I don’t think. Can’t really remember. So, no, I didn’t really get star-struck. The one time I did get star-struck, or one of the times I got star-struck, was when I met Sir Ian McKellen, or Gandalf, as I call him. That, that was a lot for me.
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Asa: What about the future excites me? I don’t know. I feel like the future is actually kind of scary, to be perfectly frank. There’s a lot of things we don’t know—what can happen. There’s a lot of things that look like they’re going to happen, which don’t look very nice for anyone. So, to be honest, I’d much rather stay in “the now” but, as the future is coming and I’ve got to answer this question, some cool ass video games that involve, like, I don’t know, proper virtual reality and asking yourself in crazy, fictional worlds that will hopefully be better than our own at that point. Because who knows where we’re going.
If you were only able to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? And why is it beans on toast?
If someone played me in a movie, who’d you want it to be? Maybe, maybe, like, Danny DeVito, just for the lulls.
(Clip plays)
Asa: What superpower would I like to have? And why? There’s a few, but I notice it only says one. Either flying—obvious reasons. To be able to stop time—again, obvious reasons. Or, or controversially—This is one I’ve thought about a lot—to be able to harvest and to use kinetic energy, which is kind of ridiculously over-powered because it means you can do just about anything. Imagine being able to absorb the kinetic energy, the energy of movement, and then use that to, literally, either fly, throw cars, run really fast. It’s just a trump god, really.
What question do you think should be added to this interview for the next interviewee? I have all the power now. I’m going to say, just to be nice to people, what’re your favorite color socks? Be interested to see what they say. For me, maroon.
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Catherine: Asa, my favorite socks are whichever ones I happen to be wearing with my Birkenstocks, babe. I’m laid-back. I’m chill. I like granola. And I like being near trees.
We know you want to hear more, so make sure to subscribe to this podcast. We’ve dropped all our episodes at once so you can keep it moving. What are you waiting for?
I Hate Talking About Myself is produced by Pineapple Street Media and Netflix. Our music is by Hansdale Hsu. And it’s hosted by me, Catherine Cohen. And, come on, you don’t really think I’m a Birkenstocks, do you? I’m very, very glamorous. See you later.
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