Westworld: Getting to know Ben Barnes a.k.a. Logan Delos
By Renay
Logan Delos is back for Westworld season 2 and we couldn’t be happier. Let’s get to know Ben Barnes a little better and see why Logan and he have become fan favorites.
When we first met Logan Delos in Westworld season one, the internet quickly dubbed him as the guy you love to hate and hate to love. Logan is rather roguishly irresistible by design. I feel it’s because he’s played by a real-life nice guy, actor Ben Barnes who is rather irresistible. He’s had our attention since he played the title role of Prince Caspian in 2008.
The first thing that may take you by surprise while watching an interview with Ben is his British accent. He’s played so damn many American characters, most people don’t realize he’s a native Londoner. Gleaning information on Ben’s very early career required a bit of digging–a tad mysterious this one. He began in musical theatre circa 1997 and his first TV credit is for the UK series, Doctors (see photo below).
It’s somewhat unfair and downright frustrating that this guy looks the same today as he did 10 years ago. I bet he has a magic painting of himself hidden in the attic.
In addition to Ben’s natural acting abilities are impressive musical talents. Yes. Talents, plural. He can sing and play multiple instruments. On his official Instagram account, you can see Ben sing, play the guitar and the keyboard. And because I can, I’m going to include one more example of his singing from the underrated film Killing Bono.
My absolute favorite thing he can do, the thing that makes my heart beat a little faster, is when he plays the drums. I truly think he should have considered a full-blown career as a drummer. Here is the third part of his 3 part Instagram video posts showing him playing the tune he first got hired for 20 years ago.
Are you starting to envy him a little bit yet? Are you, perhaps, even a tad annoyed at one person containing this great breadth of talent and experience?
The post is described in his own words as:
"“20 years ago I got my first paid job playing the drums for the @nymtuk (National Youth Music Theatre) in their #westend production of #bugsymalone so for this anniversary I went into a studio today & tried to remember the overture. I haven’t picked up drumsticks in 15 years probably but I had a brilliant time trying. Thank you to the #nationalyouthmusictheatre for inspiring me to become an actor.”"
There is way too much to cover about and on Ben Barnes so I’ll leave you with one final video from his Instagram account. This was a behind the scenes video of one of his cardio-intense, knife fight choreographed routines for season 1 of Marvel’s The Punisher.
It’s impressive. It’s graceful and powerful at the same time. You’ll be able to see Ben Barnes next in Season 2 of Marvel’s The Punisher where he’ll be reprising his role as Billy Russo. Billy the Beaut is no longer. In case you haven’t seen season 1, that’s all I can say.
It’s often in roles like The Punisher’s Billy Russo when we get to see an actor in his rawest form. When they have to transform so completely for a role, from beauty into beast, it allows a certain freedom you may otherwise not have.
I just know Ben Barnes is going to surprise and wow us all. To play this upcoming role Ben will have to dig deep. Logan Delos may be self-destructive and hedonistic but it all stems from low self-esteem and daddy issues.
In real life, Ben comes off to me as intellectually driven, humble, and a gentlemanly all around nice guy. The character of Billy Russo will give him the opportunity to dive down fully into the cloudy depths of the corrupt, distorted side of human nature and aptly demonstrate his acting chops. We all look forward to seeing him for a long, long time acting in more TV and films.
It’s a personal dream of mine to see him on stage, or just in my garage, playing his heart out on a drum kit while I sing along, badly, to a rendition of Queen’s We Are the Champions. Stranger things have happened.
Next: Westworld tech Felix Lutz is back for season two
What do you think? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Written by fans, for fans. Follow Beyond Westworld’s Twitter and Facebook accounts for everything you need to know about Westworld. Enjoy this article? Follow and see more from Renay here.
Westworld airs every Sunday on HBO at 9 P.M. EST!