Film: Alexander Cubis - Beyond the Brotherhood
- Vingt Sept
- Jun 20
- 7 min read
Film
Australian actor Alexander Cubis may have risen through fantasy television, but his journey is far from mythical. As a breakout star of The Black Dagger Brotherhood, the cult series based on J.R. Ward’s bestselling novels, he plays Rhage, a vampire warrior with both depth and danger. More than just screen presence, Cubis brings discipline, introspection, and a quiet persistence that’s positioning him as one of the most compelling talents of the moment.
Raised in a blended family in Sydney and holding a law degree to his name, Cubis’s path to acting was far from conventional. But it’s this mix of logic and longing, structure and soul, that gives his characters dimension, and gives us a new kind of leading man to watch. In this exclusive interview, the actor opens up about risk, identity, and why playing a vampire with a dark side might just be his most honest role yet.
You have such a fascinating background, born in Sydney and raised in a blended family, with academics as your early focus. How do you think this has shaped you both as an actor and as the person you are today?
We’re all shaped by where we come from. I grew up in a blended family where money always felt tight, so even though I knew early on that I wanted to act, I also understood it wasn’t exactly a “safe” path. That pushed me to build a life raft outside of acting — through education, discipline, and a drive to be self-sufficient. I think that duality shaped me. On the one hand, I was dreaming big, and on the other, I was learning how to stay grounded. That mix has helped me connect to characters in a way that feels lived-in. I’m not just playing someone — I’ve usually known a version of them, or been close to it myself.
You’ve mentioned being introverted as a child. Acting is often seen as a very extroverted profession. How have you navigated that tension?
It’s funny — people assume acting is extroverted, but I’ve found a lot of actors are actually wired like me: quiet observers first. For me, performing became a way to express parts of myself I didn’t always feel safe — or even allowed — to show in real life. There’s a strange push-pull to it. You want to be seen, but there’s also this instinct to hide. Once I stopped trying to ‘fix’ that and started seeing it as a rhythm, and not a flaw, it got easier. Some days I lean into the spotlight, and other days I need to disappear for a while. Both are part of it.
You were resistant at first to the idea of pursuing acting professionally, even graduating from law school and founding your own firm. What finally convinced you to take that leap into the industry full-time?
I didn’t make a big dramatic leap, it was more like inching toward it while juggling everything else. I was doing law school, internships, and in the cracks between that, I’d sneak off to casting workshops or shoot student films. I wasn’t sure where it would lead, but I got just enough encouragement to keep going, even when the early feedback wasn’t always glowing. At a certain point, I looked at the road ahead in law — the suits, the structure, the predictability — and then looked at acting, which felt messy and uncertain but more interesting. I figured if I was going to work hard either way, I’d rather spend my 20s chasing something that scared and excited me at the same time.
Before your breakout TV roles, you were scouted while performing in a student production. What do you remember about that moment? Did it change how seriously you viewed acting?
I wanted to be an actor since I was a kid, so when someone saw potential in me that I hadn’t fully recognised in myself, it felt like the universe was nudging me in the direction I’d been quietly hoping was right. It didn’t feel surreal — more like quiet confirmation that maybe I wasn’t completely delusional for wanting this. Holding onto little moments like that, especially when things feel bleak, has been key to staying the course.
You’re about to star as Rhage in The Black Dagger Brotherhood — a fan-favourite character known for both his beauty and his inner battles. How did you approach bringing such a larger-than-life figure to the screen?
I was a last-minute addition to the cast, which meant I had about a week to get ready — including physically. That kind of turnaround forces you to get out of your head and just do. Rhage’s physicality is such a key part of who he is — and what fans expect — so I was honestly frustrated I didn’t have more time to prepare the way I would’ve liked. But I focused on what I could control: I hired a trainer, tightened my diet, and threw myself into the scripts. If I could feel sharp mentally and physically, I figured the rest would follow. I definitely felt like I was catching up to the rest of the cast, but the guys were incredibly supportive. That camaraderie made it easier to step into Rhage’s shoes and project the kind of presence he demands.
Fans of the books are notoriously passionate. How much pressure did you feel stepping into a world with such an intense built-in audience?
I definitely felt the pressure — most of it self-imposed. There just wasn’t enough time to build the exact physique so many readers had imagined for Rhage, or to absorb twenty books' worth of backstory. I knew how deeply invested the fans were, and I didn’t want to let them down. But something shifted after the table read. Tosca (Director) and J.R. Ward (Author) were incredibly enthusiastic about the performance, and the producers told me they’d auditioned actors from all over the world for the role. Hearing that — that I’d been chosen from a truly global search — helped quiet some of the doubt. And then messages from fans started trickling in — really thoughtful, encouraging ones. That meant a lot. It reminded me that sometimes what people connect to most isn’t just the exact look, it’s the feeling you bring to a character.
Rhage is described as having a "dark side" that even his closest allies fear. What was the most challenging part of tapping into that complexity?
What makes Rhage so beloved — aside from the nickname ‘Hollywood’ — is his humour. He’s the guy who lightens the mood, but it’s clear that a lot of that is covering something deeper, more volatile. It wasn’t so much a challenge as it was a responsibility: to play the charisma and warmth in a way that didn’t ignore or soften the darkness underneath. That duality is what makes him complex. If you lean too hard in either direction, you lose what makes him feel fully alive — even as a vampire. So the work was in holding space for both — the lightness and the rage — without letting one dilute the other.
You’ve worked across very different genres — from the supernatural to the upcoming character drama feature Tender. How do you choose the projects you want to be part of?
Most actors don’t really have the luxury of choosing their projects, so I’ve learned to focus on honing specific skills — whether it’s a new accent or a different acting style — and trust that they’ll eventually be called upon. It’s kind of become a rhythm for me, and looking back, it’s always worked out that way. It might sound a bit woo-woo, but I genuinely feel like the universe tends to reflect the energy you put out there. When you stay open and prepare, the right opportunities seem to find you.
Your time teaching at the University of Sydney suggests a real dedication to education and mentorship. Why has that remained important to you as your career has grown?
When I started out, I didn’t have mentors, family connections, or formal acting training. I had to rely on 1:1 coaches and teachers who were instrumental in helping me move forward. My first business was actually a tutoring company, so sharing knowledge has always been something I genuinely enjoy. Teaching also helps me shift my focus away from myself and onto others. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, and I don’t want others to repeat them.
You’ve worked both in Australia and internationally. What differences have you noticed between the entertainment industries in Australia and the U.S.?
The U.S. is undeniably the hub of the global film and TV industry, so naturally, there’s more activity and more opportunities. But what I love about the Australian industry is that, because it’s smaller, the people who are part of it tend to be there because they genuinely love the craft of making movies and TV. They’re not just chasing fame or status — they’re doing it because it’s their passion, and that’s a unique energy to be around.
You’ve had to take some real "roll-of-the-dice" moments in your career — including your decision to start traveling overseas. Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self about risk and opportunity?
Take the leap, but be smart about it. It’s easy to think that working harder is the key, but focusing on working smarter is what makes the difference in the long run. Trust your instincts, but be mindful to refine your approach along the way, track your progress, and genuinely celebrate and acknowledge your victories. And don’t get disheartened or bogged down by the constantly moving goalposts — progress is progress, no matter how it looks in the moment.
Finally, beyond acting, law, and business, you have a life-long passion for storytelling. If you could tell any story next, either acting in it or producing it, what kind of world or character would you want to dive into?
I’d love to play a lawyer.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood is out now
Photographer Dexter Brown
Talent Alexander Cubis
Words by Jheanelle Feanny
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