In Netflix’s latest political thriller, "Zero Day," Dan Stevens takes on the role of Evan Green, a bold and vocal internet celebrity who finds himself tangled in a White House investigation stemming from a massive global cyber attack.
Joining him is Robert De Niro, who portrays George Mullen, a former U.S. president summoned out of retirement to head up the investigation. Stevens describes a particularly gripping scene that features a close confrontation between Mullen and Green, where Mullen interrogates Green. He shared his thoughts in an episode of the "Just for Variety" podcast, saying, "It created a perfect dynamic, with this character suddenly facing Robert De Niro—an iconic figure looming over the narrative. It was exciting and a bit intimidating."
I connected with Stevens via Zoom from his home in the Los Angeles area, and our conversation has been condensed for brevity. You can listen to the full interview on "Just for Variety" or your preferred podcast platform.
Question: After wrapping a scene with Robert De Niro, do you text your friends or family about the experience?
"I don’t usually send out a group message, but for many actors, sharing a scene with De Niro is a significant milestone. That interrogation scene was incredibly intense. Looking up to see De Niro on the other side of the table was surreal, but it added so much to the show."
Question: Are De Niro and Joan Allen’s characters inspired by the Clintons, with Angela Bassett possibly representing Kamala Harris?
"I think that trying to connect the dots like that is a bit misguided. While audiences might search for parallels, it’s not about drawing direct comparisons with real-life figures. Evan Green isn’t meant to represent anyone specific. The story exists in a parallel universe, and while there may be reflections of certain administrations, they’re not direct imitations."
Question: Is Evan Green based on Tucker Carlson?
"Absolutely not."
Question: Have you ever been told you sound like Tucker Carlson?
"Not in any significant way."
Question: If Donald Trump invited you for a screening of ‘Zero Day’ at the White House, how would you respond?
"I’m pretty busy, so I probably wouldn’t be able to make it."
Question: You’re also involved in a project titled ‘Swiped,’ which follows the inception of the Bumble dating app. Can you share more?
"The title might be changing; the last I heard was that the original name might not stick."
Question: Did you meet with Whitney Wolfe Herd or Andrey Andreev for research?
"No, due to legal constraints, I couldn’t meet with them. But there are plenty of references and recordings available. I studied those to capture the accent, which was enjoyable."
Question: Were you active on dating apps like Bumble or Tinder?
"No, those came about after my time. I know people who are really into it, though. It’s a fascinating phenomenon—one friend likened it to ‘Candy Crush for Humans.’"
Question: Did you create a Bumble account under a pseudonym for research purposes?
"I should have thought about that; it might’ve been a fun experiment. I have seen some of my friends using those apps, one of whom showed me an early version of Grindr while we were in a Broadway theater—there were all these dots representing people nearby. It was quite the eye-opener!"
Response: “They’re not just looking for casual encounters; many are seeking genuine connections.”
"True, but who knows what their intentions might be?"
Final Note: “Zero Day” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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Dan Stevens on Netflix’s Zero Day, Robert De Niro and Tucker Carlson
