Julian Kostov is quickly becoming a prominent industry name, impressing audiences with his engaging character work across various pop culture mediums. Because, up to this point, he’s already been a part of several influential properties, from the classic atmospheric horror of Leatherface, to the high-intensity action of titles like London Has Fallen and even The Toxic Avenger—using each role to showcase his versatility as an actor. However, his talent perfectly shines on the small screen as well, with significant roles in Shadow and Bone on Netflix and Temple on Sky, where his nuanced performances have earned the actor praise.

Expanding his scope beyond traditional film and television, Kostov has also ventured into the immersive realms of animation and gaming. In terms of animation, he recently lent his voice to multiple memorable characters in the highly anticipated launch of the new DC series Creature Commandos. Meanwhile, his portrayal of Makarov in the iconic game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III has garnered him further international recognition and a dedicated fanbase.

Now, after covering as many bases as possible, Kostov is making his mark on the highly acclaimed series The White Lotus for its third season. This revered show—known for its cast, intense drama, and rich character development—includes an all-star ensemble, with Kostov’s versatile skillset bringing a refreshing energy to the narrative. And as The White Lotus embarks on its epic, unmissable season, Kostov is about to further remind audiences of his talents as a dynamic and compelling actor.

Photographer: David Reiss | Stylist: Hannah Beck | Groomer: Charley McEwen at The Only Agency | Public Eye Communications

Congratulations on The White Lotus Season 3! What was it about this particular character that initially intrigued you?

Julian Kostov: Thank you! Well, initially I had no details about the character, except that he was very important to Mike White and the producers, and I had to make a quick decision. Of course, it was the easiest decision of my life—it’s The White Lotus! After I first received the scripts, I eagerly but nervously started flipping through the pages. It was exhilarating to discover what Aleksei was up to in this world where he doesn’t fit in, and he didn’t disappoint. You know, you’re always excited when you get a good part in something so big, and you want it to be challenging, something you haven’t done before, but then fear takes over, and you’re like… ‘Damn, I actually have to go and do it now!?’ It’s horrifying. But once you feel that fear in your belly, it means you’re on the right path and that calms you down and you go to work.

That’s what’s exciting about acting—you have to overcome yourself, your inhibitions, and your fears, and prove yourself over and over again. It’s really rare in Hollywood to find well-written, three-dimensional Eastern European characters, but Mike White, of course, as with everything else, created these vibrant, dynamic, and layered Russian characters. What’s even rarer in mainstream Western media is to have a Slavic character who has real sex appeal. This helps to humanize our ethnicity, so I was grateful to Mike for having had the opportunity to play such a character.

When we first meet your character, what are some of his defining traits?

Julian Kostov: Cheeky, explosive, confident, always gets what he wants, a master manipulator. He likes a good party and being center of attention.

Given the series’ reputation for its rich character development and complex storylines, how did you prepare to bring your character to life with your own unique spin?

Julian Kostov: I like to walk in my character’s environment and think about how they would think, walk like they would walk, find out what tactics they use to bend the reality around them. In this case, I really found out what made Aleksei tick when I first went for a walk on the infamous Bangla Road in Phuket. I thought, ‘My guy would really thrive here.’ I explored the clubs, studied the people, and tried to figure out how I could make money here if I were Aleksei and didn’t know anyone—what scheme I could conjure to make a name for myself in this underground world. It finally clicked when I was watching an act in a club.

There was an ensemble of dancers, all Eastern European, and one prima ballerina who was an aerialist. I thought that’s his girlfriend! The queen of this underworld. ‘He is motivated by status, love, and passion. He wants to have something no one can buy. He wants to earn this woman’s respect.’ I also did some fun research on where my guy is from, so I went on Google Maps and explored Vladivostok for hours. It actually had some similarities to where I grew up—Varna, Bulgaria, so I understood his childhood pretty well. After doing my homework, I go on set and forget all about it, and try to be present with my co-stars. I love to improvise and provoke, and there was plenty of room for that.

How do you think Aleksei generally fits into—or complements—the narrative and themes of The White Lotus Season 3?

Julian Kostov: This season is about spirituality. I think Aleksei’s religion is money and friendship. His actions complement the existing themes of desire and manipulation and add a skewed view of the traditional, unequal power structures of society. He walks through life with no shame, no apology, and is ready to defend his point of view. You never know what to expect when he’s around. It’s utter chaos.

Can you tell us about your experience working with Mike White and the rest of the cast on The White Lotus? Was there someone you particularly connected with on this project?

Julian Kostov: I was nervous to meet Mike. For someone who writes every word and directs every second of a show this successful, I worried he would be very despotic. He came over to my villa at the Four Seasons to greet me when I arrived, and the first time I saw him, I felt like giving him a hug instead of a handshake, and so we did! I immediately felt as if he was an old friend for whom I’d do whatever. He was my type of artist and human. He let us improvise and would throw wild ideas and lines at us every take. It didn’t feel like work. It felt like an acting workshop where you’re free to explore, make mistakes, and have fun. That’s why this show is so special. And he casts people who are similar to him… and each other! I connected with everyone but spent most time with Yuri Kolokolnikov, so naturally, we became really close. He is an incredible actor and a wonderful human, and he just cracks me up.

Now that you’ve wrapped and had time away from the series, what do you miss most about your time in The White Lotus world?

Julian Kostov: I generally miss Thailand. My girlfriend and I want to buy a house and move there part-time. I miss the nature, the food, the people, the culture, the massages… oh the foot massages! The lifestyle is just incomparable. But what would never be the same is living in these unbelievable 5-star hotels, making a really exciting series with some of the best artists in the world, living together like we’re kids on spring break.

You also have Fight or Flight coming up, which is another exciting production! What are you most excited for audiences to see when it’s released?

Julian Kostov: Fight or Flight is probably my favourite movie to date that I’ve acted in! It’s fun and entertaining. It’s got Josh Hartnett—who I love—kicking ass on a plane in some amazing, John Wick-style sequences, brilliantly directed by James Madigan. On the other hand, you have me playing this guy, Aaron Hunter, an ops agent working on the ground to get a high-value asset secured on U.S. soil. Oh, and he’s also a supreme asshole and delivers some of the funniest lines. I share the screen with Katee Sackhoff, who was amazing to work with. We had 35 pages of dialogue to shoot in like 4-5 days. It was intense, but it paid off.

In closing, as someone who’s been involved in projects across pop culture mediums like gaming, animation, film, television, etc., what do you typically look for in a role?

Julian Kostov: It has to be something challenging, something that scares me, that gets me questioning if I can do it. It could be a certain expression of vulnerability that I haven’t previously played or action-heavy in a way I haven’t done before or it could be a new language or accent that I have to learn, or a new type of relationship. In the TV series Shattered Bonds, for example, I played a father for the first time—a dad of a 17-year-old. That was really weird to get into, but we have all of these emotions, feelings, and experiences within us; we just have to learn how to tap into them. And most importantly, we shouldn’t judge it.