Fijian Actor Makes Waves In UK Film Industry

A Fijian is making waves in the United Kingdom’s film industry, having recently featured in a popular TV series, The Diplomat.

Actor David Johnson could be the first, Fijian to be featured in five films without any acting back­ground.

Though he was an extra on screen, Mr Johnson believes that better opportunities are ahead.

Growing up in Fiji, Mr John­son first braved public presence, which helped shaped his acting career, from meke performances in hotels.

“I come from a very humble be­ginning,” he said.

“As a small child, my mother would take my five sisters and I to hotels where we perform for tour­ists.

“These were between 1989 and 1991. My father was a fisherman, my mother was a fish seller.”

Mr Johnson soon moved to the UK. Acting was not part of the plan.

The Lakeba, Lau, native works as a freelance operations officer, and will be part of the second series of The Diplomat.

“My first screen was on Penny­worth, where I was the queen’s bodyguard in Series 2 episode 4,” he said.

“I was an extra on Venom 2 and I also played an undercover agent role on Bad Man.”

Like many actors, Mr Johnson said there were sacrifices, which began from a very young age.

“Our performances in hotels provided us with stability in our family and it taught us to really be grateful for the small sacrifices we made to survive.

“I have learnt that success is no mystery, it is simply small baby steps along the way. To you, I may just be a warrior in a grass skirt, but to me, I hope I am the dream in a Fijian boy or girl on a tiny is­land believing that one day those dreams can come true in the most unimaginable way possible.”

The former Marist Convent School student, who dedicates his acting career to his son, Dawson, and partner, Larisa, believes any­thing is possible.

“Be proud of what you have achieved because you never know just how powerful your dreams can be,” he said.

“You can make your life better by just moving forward. Be proud of what you have achieved because you never know just how powerful your dreams can be.”

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