This summer, Théo Askolovitch joined the Sète studios to take on the role of Benny, Chloé's partner at Saint-Clair hospital in Tomorrow Belongs to Us. The young 29-year-old actor recounts his meeting with this character which is not just a matter of chance.
Télé Star: What guided you to the sets of Tomorrow Belongs to Us?
Théo Askolovitch : I am an actor, author, director and very curious. I worked a lot in the theater and I didn't know the format of a television daily at all. I wanted to discover this universe. When I was told about Benny, I was interested because it corresponded to what I wanted to do.
In 2018, you were treated for testicular cancer. You created a show, 66 Days, which tells the story of your journey, the treatment, the side effects, the family… Playing in a hospital isn't too stressful for you?
This time, I am not one of the patients. And to be honest, I quite like the hospital environment. I find it full of life and hope. I don't feel any anxiety there because, for me, it feels good.
Does Benny bear any characteristics of caregivers you have met?
Maybe unconsciously, I impregnated Benny with people I came across. But above all I wanted to make it my own, to bring it closer to me to build it in my own way without making a clone of it either. I started from the intimate and added little things gleaned here and there.
Do the actors in the series know your story?
I already knew Raphaëlle Volkoff (Roxane) before arriving in Sète and Mayel El Hajaoui (Georges) saw my show. Ingrid Chauvin didn't know anything but we talked about it. I like it very much. We both have a lot of chemistry. She is someone who works a lot, she is a generous and attentive partner. I'm really happy to have him as a colleague.
You started filming in August. How long will we see Benny in the storylines?
I signed for one year. This character begins by making his mark. We will discover that he is looking for love… and that he risks being disappointed. He is someone who could hide his fragility and wounds behind a smiling appearance. In this place, it could be that I put a lot of my experience there…
Where are your desires to achieve?
I am preparing a short film adapted from my show Zoé (and now the living), about my mother, about mourning… I am also going to start preparing my first feature film which will be adapted from 66 Days. I direct and write, I tell my story in an intimate way. I try to be sincere.
Isn't it intimidating to write when you are the grandson and son of the writers and journalists, Roger Ascot and Claude Askolovitch?
Yes, a little because we want to live up to it. I actually tried to repress this urge but it ended up catching up with me. Today, my father is proud.
At the same time, you continue to play 66 Days at La Scala, in Paris, from November 14 to December 26…
Yes, I play this show every Thursday night. And, next season, I will be reprising Zoé (and now the living) at the Théâtre de la Bastille. I also co-wrote and co-directed Seule comme Maria, with Marilou Aussilloux, who will be on stage to defend the text, from January 14 to February 1, at the Athénée, in Paris.
