Harris Dickinson on the Awkward Side of Acting Fame

At just 29, Harris Dickinson has already made a name for himself as a filmmaker with a knack for emotional depth. His directorial debut, Urchin, hit screens in 2025, following Frank Dillane’s Mike as he navigates life without a home. The film drew plenty of praise for its sensitive take on tough issues, standout performances, and striking direction. Dickinson, who took on a small part in the film, made it clear his main focus was behind the camera this time around.

With all the positive feedback still fresh, Dickinson might be tempted to stick with directing. But losing him as an actor would be a real shame, given his knack for bringing flawed characters to life. His role as a bold intern in Babygirl turned what could have been a run-of-the-mill erotic drama into something genuinely gripping. Fans are also keen to see his take on John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ upcoming biopics.

Vulnerability and Embarrassment on Set

Acting is what first put Dickinson in the spotlight, but he’s the first to admit it’s not always a comfortable gig. In a chat with Empire, he didn’t hold back about the awkwardness of the job.

“It’s really vulnerable, isn’t it, acting?”

he mused, adding,

“It’s an embarrassing process. Well, it is for me; it’s a weird and humiliating thing, and feels rather silly at times. So I’m constantly having that in my head when I’m directing and creating the right setting for actors in order to feel comfortable. Then, when comfortability comes, I think good performances can come because you’re able to access stuff and lose inhibition. If you’ve got the wrong settings, then it doesn’t work.”

Some of his roles have left him nowhere to hide. In The Iron Claw, he played a member of a wrestling family haunted by tragedy, tackling heavy themes like loss, suicide, and family trauma. The Von Erichs were real people, and Dickinson’s character, David Von Erich, died young in real life. His co-star Jeremy Allen White called the responsibility of telling such a painful story

“scary”

, pointing out that if the actors didn’t feel safe on set, it wasn’t just their own careers at stake, but the memories of the people they were portraying.

Directing with Empathy

Maybe that’s why Urchin worked so well. Dickinson was determined not to create the kind of environment he dislikes as an actor. The result was a set that felt supportive, even while dealing with the harsh realities faced by millions. For the film to do justice to its subject, everyone needed to be at their best.

With his future wide open, Dickinson can pick and choose whether to act, direct, or juggle both. If he keeps building calm, supportive sets, whatever he does next is bound to be worth watching.