Shazad Latif Dives Deep into Nemo’s Origin Story in AMC’s Epic ‘Nautilus’ Series | EUR Exclusive
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
*AMC’s “Nautilus,” a bold reimagining of Jules Verne’s “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” plunges viewers into the origin story of the enigmatic Captain Nemo, portrayed by Shazad Latif.
The series follows Nemo’s audacious mission to exact revenge on the East India Mercantile Company, which stripped him of everything he held dear. Escaping a penal colony by stealing a prototype submarine, Nemo leads a motley crew of prisoners toward the fabled Viking treasure at the Pillars of Halvar, all while evading the relentless pursuit of his enemies.
Developed by Moonriver TV’s Xavier Marchand and Seven Stories’ Anand Tucker, written and executive produced by James Dormer, and directed by Michael Matthews, “Nautilus” is a high-stakes adventure distributed by Disney Entertainment and supported by the Australian Government’s Location Incentive and Screen Queensland’s production strategy.
In an exclusive interview, Latif shared his excitement for the role, emphasizing the unique opportunity to craft Nemo’s backstory. “Well, the fact that I got to tell an origin story was just something that was so exciting and that you just had to jump at the chance to play, really,” he said.
The absence of prior origin stories for Nemo alleviated pressure, allowing Latif to make the character his own. “The fact that we haven’t had many origin story versions of this meant that the pressure was off a little, and it wasn’t. I was more excited about doing it, and I had a lot of time to prep. I connected with the character straight away (and) this revenge story against the East India Company… it was just something that I was excited about doing.”
Filming “Nautilus” was an intense experience, with Latif describing the massive sets, underwater and submarine scenes, and a grueling schedule that reflected the hardships faced by Nemo. “The sets were huge. The tank was huge. I think it’s the second biggest or the first biggest in the Southern Hemisphere,” he noted. The 11-month, 210-day shoot pushed the cast to their limits, with underwater training, stunts, and action scenes shaping Latif’s performance.
“Anything that was intense about the shoot added to the way you wanted to be on the shoot, because it would be what the characters are going through. I wanted to feel angry because I was angry at the East India Company.”
Latif also highlighted the camaraderie among the ensemble cast, which includes Georgia Flood as Humility Lucas, Céline Menville as Loti, Thierry Fremont as Benoit, and guest stars Oscar-nominee Richard E. Grant, Anna Torv, and Noah Taylor.
“I think you naturally fall into the roles that your characters have,” Latif said, describing how the cast bonded early, spending weekends together and forging connections that mirrored their characters’ dynamics. “We’re in close circles, we’re in the studio, there’s no sunlight. We’re just walking around the ship and you just get to fall in love with each other.”
A standout moment for Latif comes in episode eight, where Nemo’s emotional arc reaches a turning point. “There’s a beautiful, I think, episode eight, I’m pretty sure, when he has to reveal his truth to them. And then, there’s something going on in the ship, and he’s got to confess to the whole crew. I enjoyed that moment,” he shared.
He also teased the evolving relationship between Nemo and Humility Lucas, noting, “The development of the relationship between Humility Lucas, played by Georgia Flood, is such a lovely thing because they start off disliking each other and you watch it grow into something.”
“Nautilus” balances high-octane action with deeper themes of trust, redemption, and the trauma of colonialism. Latif hopes audiences connect with Nemo’s journey and the series’ fresh take on Verne’s classic.
“I hope people enjoy this version, which we watch Nemo and we find out what would drive this man to that point that we first meet him in the books, and we’re showing the fire before the storm and the idealism, the pain, the trauma of colonialism, and to watch that journey and to watch the build-up,” he said.
The series offers something for everyone, from “action scenes, underwater, sword fighting, muskets” to “comedy sort of dripped throughout it, as well as all the dramatic stuff,” and even a dog for family audiences.
Tapping into Nemo’s emotional depth required Latif to draw on personal and historical resonance. “It’s easy for me to tap into the revenge against the East India Company and stuff, because that’s part of my history. I get angry sometimes, so that was easy for me to tap into too,” he explained. The strong writing allowed Nemo’s rage and leadership to emerge naturally, balancing his vengeful drive with his responsibility to his diverse crew.
With its stunning visuals, gripping narrative, and Latif’s compelling performance, “Nautilus” promises to captivate audiences, offering a fresh lens on a literary icon while exploring timeless themes of justice and human connection.
“Nautilus” premieres with two episodes on Sunday, June 29 at 9 pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+. Additional episodes will premiere weekly on Sundays until the thrilling two-episode season finale on Sunday, August 17.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: AMC Drops Thrilling Trailer for ‘Nautilus,’ a Bold Reimagining of Jules Verne’s Classic ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’
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