“I’m discovering out we’re the identical particular person — long-lost cousins,” Drew Starkey says to Harris Dickinson. Although the 2 have simply met, at 31 and 28, they’re certainly in the identical uncommon place: Each play the love pursuits of much more seasoned film stars. Starkey was finest identified for Netflix’s teen drama “Outer Banks” earlier than getting into Luca Guadagnino’s surreal love story “Queer” as a quiet veteran who’s passionately pursued by a tenderhearted heroin addict (Daniel Craig) in Fifties Mexico Metropolis. And, directed by Halina Reijn, “Babygirl” imagines Dickinson because the intern of a distinguished CEO performed by Nicole Kidman. In each movies, questions come up about which lover actually holds the ability. In actual life, Starkey and Dickinson are discovering their energy, nonetheless reflecting on their school-play roots and studying to cope with the nervousness that comes with every new script.

HARRIS DICKINSON: I’m a bit full up. I had loads of pancakes this morning.

DREW STARKEY: You’re a pancake man?

DICKINSON: I used to be this morning. You’re from North Carolina?

STARKEY: Yeah, in a rural space. However unusually, I used to be surrounded by artwork rising up. How did you begin?

DICKINSON: My mum was determining youngster care throughout summer time, and there was an area drama faculty. We did “Grease.” All the boys performed Danny, and the entire ladies performed Sandy. How did you get into it?

STARKEY: Simply being in class performs. After which I went to school, and — [He looks at the table beside him.] Somebody left their gum on the desk.

DICKINSON: Somebody very well-known, in all probability.

STARKEY: I’m wondering who was in right here final.

DICKINSON: Put that on eBay. You possibly can repay that faculty tuition.

STARKEY: However I went to school, like, “I need to take an appearing class. It’s enjoyable.” And a professor was like, “I believe you can do that.”

DICKINSON: I used to be within the Marine Cadets for years as a child, and even they have been like, “Do you need to play the sufferer that we do our medical coaching on?” Then an appearing trainer stated, “Don’t be a part of the army. You may in all probability be an actor.”

STARKEY: You’re a director as properly, although?

DICKINSON: I’ve at all times needed to direct, however it seems like two very completely different sides of me. After I’m appearing, I should be guided. I succumb to no matter world I step into.

STARKEY: Speaking about steerage and submission, inform me about “Babygirl.”

DICKINSON: The script bought despatched to me, and I used to be like, “I don’t know if I can do that.” You are likely to go to that place of “I don’t assume I’m proper” — to guard your self, perhaps. However Halina and I had a very lengthy chat, and I knew that Nicole was on board, which was intimidating.

STARKEY: You and Nicole do such an excellent job of discovering the humor in it. There’s one thing childlike about it.

DICKINSON: Nicole and I didn’t have a ton of time collectively. To not totally perceive one another — there was a component of thriller between us that was useful.

STARKEY: I didn’t meet Daniel till a month earlier than we shot in Rome, at Cinecittà.

DICKINSON: The place was the remainder of it? Really within the jungle?

STARKEY: No, the jungle was in a again lot. Dude, Luca was like, “I would like these crops,” and so they introduced in hundreds of kilos of grime and constructed a jungle. Luca was very particular about how he needed the world to really feel. He despatched visible references. Some pictures; these work by Francis Bacon. With Daniel and I, there wasn’t loads of dialog concerning the soiled phrase — “chemistry” — between us. It was simply going for it. My coronary heart was racing on the primary day.

DICKINSON: Did you ask him about James Bond?

STARKEY: He simply began speaking about it. I bought loads of insider buying and selling on that. It was actually unusual, as a result of I’m watching this superbly crafted, ready efficiency, but additionally freed from all inhibitions. I’m like, “What’s he tapped into? Fuck! Let me lock again in.”

DICKINSON: I like the ayahuasca sequence. How lengthy did it take?

STARKEY: It was over the course of an evening, however the rehearsals for the dance, that was months. I’m horrible at it.

DICKINSON: I like to bop, fairly frankly, Drew.

STARKEY: I do know this about you. Many mutual mates, all of them say, “Harris, he’s a dancer.”

DICKINSON: Daniel’s an excellent dancer, isn’t he? I’ve seen him on the golf equipment.

STARKEY: He can transfer his physique.

DICKINSON: You must actually fall a couple of instances. There’s an inclination, which I’m making an attempt to work on, like, “I’ll simply try to do it secure.” After which, “All proper. I’m going to only be an fool for a second.” Nicole’s like that. She’ll simply attempt it.

STARKEY: Daniel’s the identical method. They take the lead. You may have permission to make a idiot of your self.

Manufacturing: Emily Ullrich; Lighting Director: Max Bernetz; Set Course: Gille Mills