Corey Mylchreest on Crafting Character in My Oxford Year and the Emotional Depth of Hostage
In our recent interview actor Corey Mylchreest opened up about his work in the Netflix film My Oxford Year and the gripping TV series Hostage, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the heart of his characters and the craft of performance.
Becoming Jamie in My Oxford Year
Corey dove deep into his portrayal of Jamie, a complex and emotionally layered character shaped by family and tradition. “There’s so much in Jamie that’s defined by how he was raised,” Corey reflects. “Understanding that foundation — how he sees love, ambition, and even failure — was essential to bringing authenticity to him.”
He spoke about the emotional weight Jamie carries beneath his charm, noting that he wanted to portray someone who’s both deeply introspective and convincingly carefree. “There’s this duality — he’s Oxford-polished, but there’s vulnerability just beneath the surface.”
Working with the film's creative team, Corey focused on grounding Jamie in reality: making sure the character’s intellect and wit didn’t overshadow his emotional depth. “You can’t just play the charisma,” he said. “You have to play what it’s protecting.”
The Tension and Intensity of Hostage
Switching gears, Corey shared his experience filming Hostage, a high-stakes series that placed him in a dramatically different environment. “It was intense,” he admits. “You’re not just acting the lines — you’re reacting, constantly, to fear, adrenaline, survival.”
What attracted him to Hostage, he explained, was the psychological complexity. “It’s not just about a physical threat. It’s about trust, manipulation, and emotional chess.” Corey prepared by diving deep into the psychology of trauma and response, aiming to portray someone who is unraveling while desperately trying to hold things together.
He also spoke about the challenge of maintaining a grounded performance while navigating scenes filled with volatility. “Everything’s heightened, but you still need to find truth. You have to believe it’s all real — or no one else will.”
On Growth and Future Projects
Reflecting on both roles, Corey noted how each pushed him as an actor in different ways — Jamie demanded emotional nuance and charm, while his Hostage role required raw, instinctive reaction. “That’s what excites me,” he said. “Characters who scare me a little. Roles where I have to stretch.”
He hinted at future projects that continue to explore intense emotional territory, but added that he’s also drawn to storytelling that allows for levity and connection. “The dream is to keep doing work that surprises people — and surprises me.”
Watch the full conversation below:
Q&A with actor Corey Mylchreest on his projects My Oxford Year and Hostage. Moderated by Mara Webster, In Creative Company.
My Oxford Year - When Anna, an ambitious young American woman, sets out for Oxford University to fulfill a childhood dream, she has her life completely on track until she meets a charming and clever local who profoundly alters both of their lives.
Hostage - When the PM's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, the two political leaders face unimaginable choices. Forced into a fierce rivalry can they work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both?
