Actor Nck Name stars in the new comic neo-noir film Adulthood, set to make its world premiere at TIFF 2025. Marking a major turning point in his career, Nck brings depth and humor to the role of Diego, Kayla’s husband, whose grounded presence anchors the film’s chaos. With a powerhouse ensemble and Alex Winter at the helm, Adulthood promises a sharp, stylish exploration of modern complexities.
Adulthood marks a major turning point for you as an actor, especially with its premiere at TIFF. What drew you to this project, and how would you describe your character’s role in the film’s tangled narrative?
Having the opportunity to work with Alex Winter, Josh Gad, and Kaya Scodelario was too good to pass up! I play Diego, Kayla’s husband. He brings a grounding presence to what is otherwise a whole lot of chaos. It was fun to operate from that place—with the awareness of everything happening around him.
Working under Alex Winter, who has such a unique career as both an actor and director, must have been fascinating. What did you learn from his approach to filmmaking?
Watching Alex work was amazing. He left no stone unturned. Everything about this film—from the aesthetic to the backstories of each character—was so well thought out. He knew it inside and out, yet he approached the work with such a relaxed, open energy. Because he had such clarity of vision, he was also incredibly receptive to new ideas. I would work with him again in a heartbeat.
You’ve worked across so many genres—sci-fi in Star Trek: Discovery, period drama in Fellow Travellers, crime and mystery in Murdoch Mysteries. How do you adapt your performance style to suit such different storytelling worlds?
To be honest, it’s not something I think about much. I approach every project with the same mindset: to create a character that feels real and relatable, which gives meaning to their actions on screen. The style of the piece usually works itself out. Sometimes I’ll adjust tone depending on the genre, but that’s more instinctual than calculated.
Portraying Michael Jackson in Broke and Famous was a pivotal early moment in your career. Looking back, what impact did that role have on you both personally and professionally?
Professionally, it taught me the importance of preparation. Up until that point in my career, I had gotten away with a certain level of spontaneity on set. But when you’re undertaking a role of that scale, there’s no room to leave things up to chance—it requires a great deal of preparation. Personally, stepping into Michael Jackson’s world was an emotional experience. I grew up listening to his music, and while we were all aware of his personal complexities, doing such a deep dive gave me a much greater appreciation of how layered and complicated he really was. It was a tough world to step into.
Your music career is just as accomplished as your acting—touring, producing, composing, and performing experimental live-looping sets. How has music shaped your instincts as an actor?
Without a doubt, music has made me a better actor—and acting has made me a better musician. As a musician, there comes a point when you stop being intimidated by the record button and start being fueled by it. That experience taught me to approach acting the same way: my best work happens the moment I hear “action.” That moment excites me—it feels like a temporary stage where I can throw everything I’ve got.
You’ve also built a strong body of work in sound design and post- production. Do you find that understanding sound from a technical perspective influences the way you approach a performance on set?
Absolutely. If nothing else, it reminds me that I’m not there to have a purely personal experience, but to provide the director and editor with the puzzle pieces they need to tell the story. That perspective gives me a more 360-degree view of the process, and I think it makes me a stronger performer.
Having your film compositions screened at over 50 international festivals and winning a MARTY Award is a huge achievement. What excites you most about composing for screen versus performing live?
They’re two very different beasts. Performing live is all about taking the audience on a ride—it’s an exchange of energy and adrenaline. Composing for film is about helping the director tell the story, shaping the world the characters live in. Sometimes that means amplifying emotion, other times creating contrast—or even using silence to pull the viewer in. In film, the music is only one of many elements working together.
You’re equally comfortable in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Do you see yourself moving into directing or writing in the future, given your 360-degree view of the filmmaking process?
That’s a great question. I’d love to write and direct one day, but I wouldn’t want to do it just for the sake of it. If I wake up one morning with an idea I know would make a great film—that’s the day I’ll do it. I wouldn’t want to force it otherwise.
Watch Me, your upcoming psychological thriller, seems to explore similar moral complexities as Adulthood. What attracts you to characters and stories that live in that kind of grey space?
I think those are the stories audiences connect with most—because we’re all complex individuals. Exploring that is far more interesting than playing two- dimensional characters who are purely good or bad. I’ve never met anyone like that in real life!
As someone who’s constantly moving between creative disciplines, how do you balance the demands of acting, music, and sound design while still protecting your creative energy?
Great question. For me, it’s about being mindful of my role in each project. I have a very active creative mind, and it would be easy to get lost in imagining how something could become “this” or “that.” By sticking to my lane, I can compartmentalize my energy and preserve enough creative fuel for the next project. Hopefully that makes sense haha
You’ve spoken about fostering empathy through storytelling. How do you hope your work—whether in music, acting, or sound—contributes to a more open and less polarized cultural conversation?
I think the best thing I can do is bring honesty and vulnerability to my work, and hopefully inspire others to do the same. What’s often missing is a more humble view toward one another. When you’re honest with yourself, you realize that life isn’t black and white. If I can reflect that in my work, maybe it helps create more empathy and more constructive dialogue.
Looking ahead, what would be your dream project or collaboration— something that would allow you to combine all your talents as an actor, musician, and producer?
Good question. Combining all my skills into one project isn’t necessarily a goal. I’ve had opportunities to do that before, but for me it’s more about the quality of the project and the people involved. My dream collaborations are with people who bring their A-game, whose skills work in synergy with mine. Giving each other space while making each other better—that’s the dream.
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