What happens when six egomaniacal, struggling actors participate in the world’s worst acting class? Madness, mayhem, and, yes, even murder. That’s the premise for Farid Yazdani‘s new absurdist comedy Day Players, which pulls back the curtain on the cutthroat world of the entertainment industry.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Farid about what inspired him to create this series, the type of humor viewers can expect, why Day Players stands out from its contemporaries and more.
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This interview is condensed for length and clarity.
Farid Yazdani
Melody McCune: We at Geek Girl Authority love a good origin story. How did you get to acting?
Farid Yazdani: I’ve always been an entertainer. When I was in high school, I went to the Regional Performing Arts School for Dramatic Arts in Mississauga. It’s always been in my brain, so I pursued it. I never thought that being a TV actor was a possibility.
Then, from high school, I went to a college that taught acting for film and television. One thing led to another. My teachers suggested agents to me, and I signed up with agents. I went to auditions. I ended up booking, and that’s where I got to today.
Day Players
MM: Let’s talk about Day Players. Can you tell me what it’s about and what inspired you to create it?
FY: The logline is “Six egomaniacal actors take the world’s worst acting class.” That’s the gist of it all. Essentially, it’s an exaggerated example of the type of artists out there. It delves into the, I guess, insanity of what it is to be an actor and the amount of rejection we get on a regular basis. The desire to be wanted, loved, the desire for friendship, the desire for praise.
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These six actors get together in this acting class with a professor who is a bit out to lunch. Then, we see these personalities clash in a six-episode series where each is independent of each other. You could watch one episode on its own, and you wouldn’t miss a thing. That’s sort of what we do with Day Players.
MM: What can we expect from your character Naveen’s journey on the show?
FY: I think you’re going to hate him at first. That’s the goal. He’s a bit of an egotistical maniac, but what we do see is character development, relationships and growth. He has a desire to be loved as everyone else does in this world. We see his motivation doesn’t come from a necessarily negative space. It comes from a place of love and desire. He also has an ex-girlfriend in the class, and that relationship develops as well. Yes, so from there, you’re going to hate him, and then, hopefully, at the end, you’re going to love him.
What to Expect
MM: What can viewers expect from the show as a whole?
FY: The first thing about our series is it’s absolutely cinematic — it’s stunning. Every episode has a different style of filming. You will see different colors and lighting techniques. It’s really fun to watch.
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I think the humor is going to be very out there. It gives me the vibes of What We Do in the Shadows meets It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. There’s a little bit of Rick and Morty absurdity, so it’s like those three worlds plugged into a short series. As far as the tone of the series, it’s a dramatic comedy. But I think the viewers will really like the quality of the cinematography and the comedic styles within the series itself.
MM: Describe Day Players using three words.
FY: Lights, camera, insanity.
A Show About Disaster
MM: Oh, I love that. Without giving too much away, of course, do you have a favorite scene or a highlight from shooting the show?
FY: Filming with my cast has been an absolute pleasure and dream. All the actors in the series are beyond talented. They all have a wealth of work behind them. We have Ashley Leggat from Life with Derek, Patrick McKenna from The Red Green Show and Brock Morgan from a bunch of Hallmark films. These actors coming together in this world is a recipe for success, even though the show is about disaster. My favorite episode would have to be Episode 4, “24-Hour Film Challenge.”
We see the actors living in two worlds. It’s the before when they were filming this “24-Hour Film Challenge,” and the after when they’re watching back the aftermath of the “24-Hour Film Challenge.” Our directors did a great job blending both worlds [to make] a really funny episode.
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MM: What makes Day Players stand out from your typical story about struggling actors trying to make it in this industry?
FY: It’s not lovey-dovey; it’s realistic. It’s not la-di-dah like it’s going to be all successful; it’s going to be a happy ending to a fairytale. It’s pretty real, raunchy, in your face, blunt. I like that about our show. Not to compare, but [it] gives The Bear vibes.
You feel like it’s just chaos all the time, but you still want to watch it unfold and hope there’s development. I think that’s what makes our show stand out from a lot of other TV series; it’s based around the same style.
On the Horizon
MM: What else is on the horizon for you, career-wise?
FY: I’m always acting; I’m auditioning. I’m currently on three seasons of a show called Moonshine that’s now on CBC Gem and The CW. I play Oscar Wallace, one of the main characters in the series. I also have a guest starring spot on Prime Video’s Cross and a guest star spot on Hudson & Rex. Those are just a few of the things I’m in. I’m known for Suits, which you can still watch on Netflix. I’m always working on the next thing, and pretty soon after this series, I’m going to work on another one. Not sure what that is just yet, but stay tuned.
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MM: Have you watched anything interesting lately?
FY: I’ve started to watch Better Call Saul, which I never got to see, which is shocking to many. I love Breaking Bad. The Bear was a series that I finished, and I absolutely adore.
Favorite Films
MM: Last question. Name your top five favorite films.
FY: Glengarry Glen Ross is one of my favorites — all-star cast. A bit dated as far as the dialogue, but the performances are unbelievable. Liar Liar with Jim Carrey got me into comedy. It’s a pretty ridiculous comedy. Dune: Part Two is superb. What a beautiful film that was. I love the cinematography and the storyline.
Three and four, I would have to say, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Guy Ritchie is great. He’s a really good director. And The Lion King. Why not? I watched that 800 times with my little cousin, and hey, Disney can’t go wrong sometimes.
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You can follow Farid on Instagram (@faridyazdani). Be sure to check out Day Players when it premieres on YouTube on February 7, 2025.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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