Photography by Luke Fontana

It's been a busy 2024 for Austin North. When he connects with Man About Town, he’s relishing the aftermath of wrapping up his latest project, starring in Prime Video’s One Fast Move, directed by Kelly Blatz, alongside industry A-listers KJ Apa, Eric Dane, and Maia Reficco. The production offers a fresh take on the classic bad-boy racer turned loverboy, following motorbike aficionado Wes Neal, played by Apa, on his journey from confinement to pole position. “People are really connecting with the film’s mix of action and emotion. It’s been great hearing that audiences are on the edge of their seats and really feeling the intensity. It’s a story that seems to resonate with a lot of people,” North says.

As Wes’ principal rival, Cody, North brings to life a complex antagonist, a role not entirely unfamiliar to him on-screen, having won over audiences as the “love-to-hate” King of the Kooks, Topper, in Outer Banks, but one that feels less relatable on a personal level. “Cody’s a pretty intense character, and he’s driven by some darker motives, which is different from me,” he says. “But that’s what made it fun to play. I can relate to his determination, though we go about things differently. It’s been interesting to see how he’s impacted the audience. It’s always fun having an antagonist there to spice up the movie!”

To bring the adrenaline-fuelled world of One Fast Move to life, North literally had to accelerate his learning curve, immersing himself in the high-speed realm of motorbike racing. However, it wasn’t just his on-screen persona racing against the clock. “This movie was shot in Georgia, and what’s funny is that I was actually filming Outer BanksSeason 3 at the same time. I’d drive to Georgia on the weekends to make it work scheduling-wise,” he remembers. “I used to live in Georgia, and this movie was filmed in the same neighbourhood as where I used to live. It’s a small world we live in!”

In the weeks following our conversation, North will find himself stepping back into the sun-soaked, treasure-laden world of Outer Banks, as Season 4 of Netflix’s juggernaut series premieres. Naturally, we had to inquire about what awaits Topper in this new chapter. “Topper’s journey in Season 4 is going to be really interesting for fans,” he says. “Over the past seasons, he’s shown a lot of complexity, especially with his feelings for Sarah and his on-again, off-again alliances with the Pogues. In Season 4, fans might see a more mature side of Topper, but his underlying conflicts and motivations will still drive his decisions. Whether he helps the Pogues this season or not is something fans will need to watch closely. It’s going to be a wild ride.”

As we eagerly await the second half ofOuter Banks Season 4 set to debut on November 7th, Austin North welcomesMan About Town into his personal space to reveal the objects, memories, and passions that have shaped his creer and craft. Keep reading…

Outer Banks Map
Since we’re on the subject. This map of Kildare Island is something really special to me. Our director, Jonas, gave it to us after we wrapped filming the first season of Outer Banks, and I’ve had it up on my wall ever since. It’s not just a cool piece of decor; it brings back a lot of great memories from those early days on set. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of the journey we’ve been on with this show and all the amazing experiences we’ve had together. It was a very thoughtful gift.
 

My Drum Set
My Roland drum set is probably my favourite thing in my home. It’s electric, so I can jam out with headphones and not worry about disturbing the neighbours. Playing the drums is really therapeutic for me—I grew up playing, and recently I’ve started getting back into it. I love having it here to just let loose and get creative. I’m even thinking about putting out more drum covers in the future. It’s a great way to reconnect with something I’ve always been passionate about.

My Espresso Maker
I guess you could say I’m a bit of a coffee connoisseur—and maybe slightly addicted to caffeine. This machine is what gets me going every morning. Some days it’s a simple Americano, other days I’ll go for a latte or a cappuccino that looks like heaven in a cup. Not to brag, but I can make a pretty good cup of coffee. It’s my little morning ritual, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
 

Car Art Inspiration
Here’s a photo of a Ferrari F40 and a Porsche 911 that I keep on my wall. Cars are a huge passion of mine—okay, maybe it’s more of an obsession, but I can’t help it. I love driving through canyons and hitting the track, and these photos keep me motivated. They remind me of my dream to one day own both of these cars and maybe even have a garage like Jay Leno’s. I’m also trying to convince my dad that cars can be an asset, not just a depreciation!

Austin's Air Filter
All right, this might bore some of you, but it’s an essential item in my home—my air filter. You’re probably wondering why it’s almost the size of me. Well, that’s because it’s actually meant for a commercial workspace, which I didn’t realise when I bought it. But, honestly, my air quality feels like heaven now. People always ask what it is when they visit, and I just tell them to take a deep breath and not worry about it.