British actor Gabriel Howell digs into his acting origins and role as Snotlout Jorgensen in the new How To Train Your Dragon live-action adaptation.

With major credits already to his name, be prepared to be seeing a lot more of Gabriel Howell on your screen. His big breakthrough came in Netflix’s critically revered Bodies, which saw the British actor step into the psyche of the legendary Stephen Graham, portraying his younger self in the hit show. Since, Howell picked up acclaim for BBC’s excellent Nightsleeper, and stepped onto the Marylebone Theatre stage as Trevor in What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank.

Now comes arguably Howell’s most significant showing to date — How To Train Your Dragon. The live action adaptation of the beloved animation has been a summer hit, loved by fans and commended by critics, with triple Oscar nominee Dean DeBlois putting his unique spin on the fantasy tale. Howell stars alongside an all-star cast that features the likes of Gerard Butler and Nick Frost. 

Dropping off on his way to wide-spanning recognition, Howell talks his entry into acting, the pressures of a new role, and the ins and outs of his HTTYD character.

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Hey Gabriel! Thanks so much for catching up with Wonderland! How are you today, and how is the start of Summer treating you? Any holidays in the pipeline?

Thank you for having me! I’m really good – I’m on my way to Paris with a mate, the sun is out and I’m on my fourth coffee of the morning.

I’m welcoming the heat, especially in London. I think the city is at its best when the sun’s out. No holidays planned yet, my current goal is to actually be as boring as possible and work as much as I can for the rest of the year. 

Congratulations on your role in the How to Train your Dragon live action film! Before we delve into the project, let’s rewind. Where did you grow up, and how did you fall in love with the craft of acting?

Thank you! I grew up all over really, my dad’s a vicar so we moved around a bunch. I was born in Hong Kong and then we moved around the UK from when I was very little. I spent most of my adolescence in Bristol. I adore that city. That’s where feels the most like home to me. 

Acting is sort of all I’ve ever wanted to do really. I’ve always been drawn to stories – to the wonder and power of a good story. I remember getting up at the front of church a lot to help my dad out when I was a kid. I think I found it immediately quite thrilling to have an audience. I also figured out, pretty quickly, that I was good at making people laugh. It all snowballed from there really. It’s a powerful drug to give a 7-year-old…. As is the bible though to be fair. 

Do you remember some of your early influences in acting? 

Al Pacino has always been a bit of a North Star for me. Stephen Graham. Paapa Essiedu. Juliette Binoche. Olivia Coleman. Sam Rockwell.

Tell us about your character in How to Train your Dragon – Snotlout Jorgensen – who is he, and how does he fit in with the HTTYD universe?

Snotlout is born to be the Viking Chief, to lead the clan to glory and protect all those who follow him. And he absolutely would do all the above if he was blessed with any of the mental or physical attributes to do so. As he sadly isn’t, we’re left with more of a Viking Cub. A puppy with a very loud bark who just wants to be like his dad. 

How familiar were you with the HTTYD world when you first entered the project? Do you remember your first reaction to reading the script?

Oh, I’ve known of HTTYD since I was very little. We used to listen to the audiobooks of Cressida [Cowell]’s novels driving into the countryside on our summer holidays. Then Dean’s perfect and incredibly iconic animation blew my mind and heart open when it came out in 2010. It’s sort of always been in my life. The story of Hiccup and Toothless, and the land of Berk, was incredibly formative for me. 

With the animated trilogy being a fan-favourite, did you feel any pressure whilst stepping into the role? How did you want to make Snotlout your own?

Absolutely. But, honestly, as a fan myself a lot of the pressure just came from me. We had Dean at the helm though and I knew from the jump that if I was doing right by him then I was doing right by myself as a fan too and I couldn’t go far wrong. Any pressure was mitigated by my excitement and my trust in Dean and brilliant my cast mates. 

Purely from just being a real-life person (last time I checked) I knew, by the very nature of the thing, that I would be bringing something new to the character. Because I’d be bringing me. What Jonah [Hill] did was so wickedly funny that I couldn’t not take heaps of inspiration from him but I also then wanted to build on Snotlout, hopefully adding a few more layers. Some cracks in the bravado. I want you to root for Snotlout, even if he’s maybe sometimes a tiny bit annoying…and really quite deluded. Look, we’ve all got our things. I think he’s sweet.

Tell us about your days on set. What was the experience like, do you have any favourite memories that come to mind?

Ah man, I loved every second of it. I have to say though, Nick Frost has been a hero of mine since I was about 12. Shaun of the Dead was PIVOTAL to me. It was a huge reason as to why I ever wanted to make movies. So, getting to work with him was magic. I remember meeting him for the first time, he was making himself a cup of tea just outside Dean’s office and I didn’t realise it was Nick until he turned around. I desperately tried to play it cool but it probably looked like I just ceased to be able to string full sentences together. He, though, was immediately so sweet, funny, kind and generous. He was everything I wanted him to be and more. Dream come true. 

What was the process like whilst working with CGI dragons, did you have to prepare any differently to normal?

It actually didn’t feel as different as I thought it would. It felt a lot like working in the theatre again. Really playing with the imagination and the body to create the sensations of being right up against these massive dangerous creatures. It was an amazing experience. There was an incredible puppet department who worked so tirelessly, so specifically and so brilliantly with us. I can’t imagine having done it without them. It was as close as anyone is ever going to get to working with living, breathing dragons every day.

You’ve previously worked on Bodies and Nightsleeper, two TV-series’, and now an animated film, where do you want to take your acting career next? 

Wherever. I’ll just try my best to keep the balloon in the air. 

Looking ahead, what’s in the works for you?

A variety of things, hopefully! I’m really excited for what’s to come. Right now, however, I’m going to have a nap and then call my Granny.

Photography – David Reiss 

Styling – Keeley Dawson 

Grooming: – Talitha Maddison-Burbidge