Spud’s Sven Rugyrok on his role in Showmax Original Pulse

In the Showmax Original horror series Pulse, now streaming, a group of game creators discover that survival is no longer just a game when an electromagnetic pulse bomb fries every electrical circuit in their office high-rise – and people’s heads. 

Sam Wright caught up with Sven Ruygrok about his role in the show, which was picked by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the 25 buzziest series at this year’s MIPTV, a leading global TV market in Cannes, France. Sven may be best known as Rambo in the Spud franchise, opposite Troye Sivan and John Cleese, and as Orlando Bloom’s son in Zulu, but he’s now a veteran of seven international series and 14 films – and all grown up in Pulse. 

What attracted you to Pulse? 

I had not read anything like this before! I remember reading the scripts and being like, “What the heck is actually happening?” I had to go back and re-read them because the world Stephen Clarke [the writer of Pulse] has created is insane and unpredictable. 

Tell us a bit about your character, Dominic?

I was immediately drawn to his willingness to serve and to save. When we first meet him, he is the building’s janitor, so he is not part of the gaming world, unlike the other characters. After the pulse that happens, there is a mental shift and a split with him. I think it was in that character split that there was something I found intriguing, that I was excited to bring to the screen.  

What sort of research did you do for the character?

With every character, there is always a sense of: “Who is this person?” You ask those fundamental questions to find out what makes them tick. I watched an entire season of 24 looking closely at the character of Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland) to inform who Dom is and how he views the world. I then worked on the voice and accent of this character, which Sallas [multi-award-winning director Sallas de Jager of Dominee Tienie and Free State fame] and I discussed at length.

Something that also really helps me find a character is to listen to music. I love creating playlists using soundtracks for a character. That, for me, is really a focal point: I have songs I’m hearing in my head when I arrive on set. 

If someone is about to watch Episode 1 of Pulse, what is Dominic’s theme tune?

Taking A Stand by Henry Jackman from the Captain America: Winter Soldier soundtrack. 

Why do you think horrors and thrillers are having a moment right now?

Given the circumstances we all found ourselves in with Covid, I think there is general fear and anxiety. Horror films give you the opportunity to really let go and release a little bit of that anxiety in company, where it’s deemed okay. When you watch horror you almost have an excuse to let that go; there is a form of catharsis there.

Pulse is filmed on location in Mauritius. What was that experience like? 

Look, we were filming inside a locked up, abandoned building. So whether I am filming in a building in Tokyo, Johannesburg or Mauritius, the reality is I have a twelve-hour day isolated in a dark building. So for this show, being in Mauritius didn’t make much of a difference. However, the beauty of being in Mauritius was fully experienced when we’d have an off day, where we could all see and encounter nature in all its glory. The cast and crew became a family and we would spend time together lapping up the beauty of the island.

What has been the hardest part of the shoot for you?

Missing my family. We shot in Mauritius for three months. I have a wife and two little kids. I missed seeing them grow up. I love being a husband and a father! I have two boys: one is two years old and the other is almost a year old. When I left my youngest, he was just starting to sit; during the shoot he was standing and by the end of the shoot almost walking. I am very grateful for things like FaceTime and Zoom, but it is not the same as human one-on-one contact. Dad time! 

Another hard thing? Covid. Covid sucks. We had to do tests every single day. There were all these preventative measures in place and it really does slow the filming process down. You couldn’t come to set and just start working; you had to do your test, wear your mask and social distance before you started filming. I was very grateful for the systems in place as they keep all of us safe, but I’m someone who likes physical touch, to hug, shake hands, be dirty and in character and to get involved in the filmmaking process. 

What was the highlight of the shoot for you?

There were so many highlights! 

One highlight was working with Sallas [De Jager, the multi-award-winning director of Pulse and films like Dominie Tienie and Free State]. He has a very clear vision and it’s a joy to watch him working. 

The cast is also amazing. We became a family. We have been through great struggles and great triumphs, where we walk off a scene and celebrate together, covered in blood and dust. We have had an absolute blast and we learned to just lean into the crazy.

Why should people watch Pulse?

I am very excited for people to see it. The show is insane. It’s filled with the top people in our industry and the talent is out of this world! It is madness on screen – there is no other way to describe it. People are probably going to sit there going, “What did I just watch? I have no idea” and I’m excited for that element of leaving the audience confused and bewildered. It will leave you breathless!