The Actor

The Actor

Summary

TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS, HE MUST SACRIFICE EVERYTHING . . .

Discover 2024's most original new thriller, a story of glamour, secrets and obsession . . .

'GRABS YOU FROM THE OPENING LINE AND WON’T LET YOU GO’ ALEX MICHAELIDES, AUTHOR OF THE SILENT PATIENT


'MASTERFULLY PLOTTED' ERIN KELLY

'A FIRST-CLASS THRILLER'
DAILY MAIL

'A BARNSTORMING PERFORMANCE' THE TIMES

*****

At long last, Adam Sealey has an Oscar within reach. Working with his controversial former mentor, Jonathan, he's given the performance of a lifetime, and he almost believes it might be worth the cost.

Because Adam subscribes to "the method". It's the secret that the world's greatest actors swear by - digging into their darkest, most personal traumas to bring a role to life.

And Adam's greatest trauma is worse than most. Losing his mother when he was just a boy. A forced choice between the success he craved and the girl he loved. And that night back in drama school, the night of Adam's darkest secret, when everyone knows about the dead body, but nobody suspects the truth.

And then he gets a message: someone knows. And if they tell, everything Adam's worked for will come crashing down.

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'Both a compulsive thriller and a fascinating insight into the world of method acting. Very, very moving, packed with characters both lovable and entirely detestable. I adored it'
Abigail Dean

'Ego and ambition, guilt and redemption collide in this masterfully plotted and beautifully written psychological thriller. I couldn’t tear my eyes from the page' Erin Kelly

'A darkly dazzling and glamorously wicked thriller'
Chris Whitaker

'Brilliantly twisting (and twisted) tale of method acting, madness and Hollywood glamour. I loved it' Mat Osman

Reviews

  • Brilliantly evoked, totally compelling. A first-class thriller
    Daily Mail

About the author

Chris MacDonald

Chris MacDonald is a novelist, screenwriter, playwright and actor, who attended a top UK Drama School whose alumnae include Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender. His debut play Eye of a Needle played at the Southwark Playhouse and as an actor he's worked for the BBC, the RSC and Amazon Studios among others. His screenwriting includes social horror This Merrie Land for Agile and his band Playground Champions have soundtracked the ITV show Buffering.
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