Share

cover art for S2 E7: Sacha Dhawan

Before The Lights

S2 E7: Sacha Dhawan

Season 2, Ep. 7

It’s rare that one of the team cries during the recording of an episode. But this week’s guest Sacha Dhawan (who you’ll know from Doctor Who, Iron First, The Great and so much more) has no issue setting off the water works as he delivers an embarrassing story which Dave calls “one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard”.


Before we get there though, the guys hear about Sacha’s journey from working for his dad to touring the world as one of the original cast of History Boys alongside the likes of James Corden, Samuel Barnett and Richard Griffiths. He explains how his part in the show set him up for the rest of his career and taught him lessons he still leans on today. 


Sacha also explores the struggles of being on set with severe anxiety and how he only started to gain control of his mental health after getting therapy and talking about his struggles out loud after reaching “a real low point”. Josh, George and Dave also find out how allowing himself time to reevaluate the importance of mental and physical self-care has helped Sacha take better control of his Crohn's disease and the choices he makes in his career.


The conversation also delves into Sacha’s focus on his British Asian heritage and his views on how it’s represented across the industry from stereotypes in writing rooms to the choices made in castings.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 14. S3 E14: Lauren Lyle

    41:35
    This time George, Dave and Georgia are joined by double-Scottish Bafta winner Lauren Lyle. We don't normally make too much of a big deal out of the awards our guests have won but when they get nicknamed "the twins" and involve a story about Lauren's dad talking to basically every famous Scottish person in one night it's hard to ignore. Along the way, the team discuss everything from her key roles so far Outlander, Vigil and Karen Pirie as well as growing up in New Zealand and being chased by a man pretending to be a shark on set. The chat also covers how hosting her own podcast- She's a Rec - has helped her and her listeners champion the work of fellow female actors, directors and writers.
  • 13. S3 E13: Shazad Latif

    36:52
    Yes, we can hear him Clem Fandango - this week's guest is Toast of London, What's Love Got to Do with It? and Rogue Agent actor Shazad Latif.He tells us throwing up moments before a huge scene with Liam Neeson, forcing table tennis scenes into films, and not getting the part on a TV show even though the character had the same name as him.There is also room for some semi-serious chat about how finding spirituality has helped Shazad keep his mental health in check and given him a healthier outlook on work and life in general.
  • S3 E12: Iain De Caestecker

    37:21
    George and Dave cover some serious ground with The Winter King and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. actor Iain De Caestecker on this week's episode. From horse-riding lessons from a 10-year-old to learning to acclimatise to LA and being part of the Marvel Universie, Iain explains how keeping on top of his mental and physical health on and off set have been key to the success in his career.
  • S3 E11: Harris Dickinson

    38:55
    This time the team catch up with Harris Dickinson to talk all things wrestling, mental health and passive aggressive teachers as they delve into his career.From politely declining the chance to become a hotel manager, to ice baths on major film sets the Before The Lights team explore how his ambition to succeed has seen him develop a mental and physical routine to help keep his mind and body on track.
  • 10. S3 E10: Craig Roberts (aka Deadpan Man)

    37:55
    Every now and again we uncover something pretty special about our guests. But nobody was ready for actor, writer and director Craig Roberts (Still Up, Just Jim, Submarine) to reveal his rapping alter-ego; Deadpan Man.That said, it quickly becomes apparent it was a lucky escape for everyone involved that he dropped his lofty ambitions being the Welsh Eminem and forged out a career in film and TV.As well as discussing his fading musical (and professional tennis) hopes Craig gives fascinating insights from his time in front of and behind the camera, and explains why his mum doesn't have any pictures of him at home.
  • 9. S3 E9: Jonah Hauer-King

    32:49
    This time we're joined by our first ever Disney prince; Jonah Hauer-King aka Prince Eric in 2023's live-action version of The Little Mermaid.He chats to Dave, Josh and George about training to be graceful on boats, on land and at sea despite not being a great swimmer. They also delve into his other roles like The Tattooist of Auschwitz and William Tell to explore how adapting your body can be a challenge both mentally and physically. Along the way they also uncover how an animal allergy has haunted him throughout several roles in his career, including a film entirely centred around dogs which didn't go well for Jonah.
  • 8. S3 E8: Chase Utley (aka The Man, aka Silver Fox)

    33:55
    Considering this is podcast focusses a lot on fitness, it's surprising this happened sooner; our first professional athlete joins the show in the form baseball legend Chase Utley. The World Series winner and six-time All Star player discusses how he kept in physical and mental shape across his 16-season career with Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers and how he made the transition into retirement from the sport. Given Before the Lights' background in film and TV it would be rude not to delve into Chase's acting career (two appearances in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is 100% a career) and how it lead to a disastrous trip to watch Rob McElhenney's Wrexham FC, before Josh, Dave and George find out about his new role with Major League Baseball.
  • 7. S3 E7: Edward Bluemel

    35:41
    This week the Before The Lights team are joined by Sex Education, Killing Eve and My Lady Jane actor Edward Bluemel for tales of mermen, excessive running and denim theft.He also tells the team about his girlfriend's plans for a 'horny Instagram rebrand' and how he keeps his body in check between work now that he's found a successful routine in the gym.
  • 6. S3 E6: Freddy Carter

    34:21
    This week the team welcome Shadow and Bone actor Freddy Carter! He discusses a whole set of skills he picked up for the role including fighting with a cane and rolling through windows while suspended at 80ft in the air. But that kind of acting prowess doesn't come from nowhere so he also reveals how he developed his range - and thick skin - in drama school by playing a giraffe in front of seven-year-olds. Along the way he also talks about how he deals with downtime between jobs, his upcoming role in Masters Of The Air (aka 'Guys In Planes' according to George) and how he picks up skills behind the camera while he's on set.