Matt Mella FAULT Magazine Issue 32 Photoshoot and Interview Preview

Matt Mella X FAULT Magazine

Photographer: David Yeo 

Stylist: Abi White @StellaCreativeArtists

Grooming Terri Capon @Stella Creative Artists using Olaplex and Monika Blunder

Words: Miles Holder

It’s often said that we’re all the antagonists in someone else’s story at some point in our lives. For
the legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, that antagonist was often portrayed as his rival
Alain Prost—a dynamic that Netflix spotlighted in their captivating miniseries, Senna.
Bringing the complex character of Alain Prost to life—balancing the fine line between rival and
villain—fell to actor Matt Mella. With a performance that is equal parts compelling, respectful,
and deeply layered, Matt’s passion and dedication to honouring the real Alain Prost shine
through on-screen.

I caught up with Matt Mella to discuss the challenges of embodying such a nuanced figure, his journey as an actor, and, of course, his FAULTs.

FAULT MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 – IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW

How did playing a real person, especially someone like Prost who is still alive, change
your approach compared to playing a fictional character?

It changes the process entirely. When portraying a real person, there’s a reference point—you
have to consider their voice, mannerisms, and how they carried themselves. With someone like
Prost, who is still alive, there’s an added layer of responsibility. You want to honour their legacy
while also bringing your interpretation to the role.

I’m sure anyone who’s played a real person has said this—you don’t want to do an impression
or imitation of that person. It can very quickly become lifeless.
When I first saw the shooting scripts, I realized they were largely written from Senna’s
perspective. The writers had done extensive research on Senna, but it’s impossible for them to
dedicate the same level of time to every character. That’s where my responsibility as an actor
came in—I did a deep dive into Prost’s life.

The tricky part is that, in this series, Prost is portrayed as the antagonist because that’s how
Senna viewed him at the time. In reality, Prost isn’t an antagonist; he’s just seen that way in the
context of this story. I really hope Prost doesn’t watch this and think we’ve misrepresented him. I
fought hard to ensure his portrayal felt fair and accurate, despite the narrative framing.

Did you ever feel unsure about how you approached the character?

Oh, absolutely. There’s this running joke with Gabby that I was constantly worried about being
recast. We’d spend hours together—two hours a day in the car, going from karting practice to
rehearsals to costume fittings—and I’d vent about whether I was pushing too hard for certain
changes.
For instance, I’d sit in meetings with the directors and writers and say, “This doesn’t work.” Prost
was a two-time world champion and in his 30s—he wouldn’t behave like a cartoon villain. I was
terrified they’d get sick of me questioning things and just fire me. Gabby found it hilarious,
though, and we still joke about it.

What is your FAULT?

I’d say my biggest FAULT is negativity. I think it comes from trying to manage expectations—mine and others. When something exciting happens, like landing a big project, I tend to downplay it. I’ll say, “Yeah, but let’s not get too excited. It might not amount to much.” It’s my way of protecting myself from disappointment, but I’ve realized it’s not always helpful or necessary.
I’ve also learned that I don’t need to manage other people’s expectations. If my friends are
excited for me, I should just let them be excited instead of tempering it with negativity. So yeah,
that’s something I’m working on—managing my own expectations while staying positive.

FAULT MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 – IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW