David Dastmalchian is a kind, cool, super gifted, outrageously busy handsome spitfire of a goth, horror loving dude. check his current superb performances in The Life of Chuck and playing Gareth in Dexter: Resurrection on Paramount. we caught up with him in NYC for the Dexter premiere and snapped a few photos displaying his rad style, eating/drinking some favorite snacks, hitchhiking in his floral tights and dr. martens, then creating some black nailed magic in the hotel shower stall. so scroll on down as we chat grave conversations show, starring in street fighter and the renewal of murderbot. plus he’s just returned from San Diego comic con where he announced the launch of a 5 issue comic book mini series, The Accessories, with his longtime co-writer/creative collaborator Leah Kilpatrick for upstart publisher Panick Entertainment and be on the lookout for his upcoming graphic novel Through. PHEW!

the bare magazine: can you describe the message/meaning of Life of Chuck for those who haven't seen it and the experience working alongside the cast and crew?

David Dastmalchian: The Life Of Chuck is a story about the fragility of life. It’s this beautiful poem about the immediacy of the present. We have a fleeting moment here in this life and each day we’re given is a gift. Heal what needs healing, say what needs saying and absolutely, without question, go dance each time you have a chance. I love Mike Flannagan, he’s a good friend and like family to me. It felt like home being on set.

bare: we had a blast at our photoshoot and chatting when you visited NYC for the premiere of "Dexter: Resurrection" - how was the trip? It appears you and the cast have great chemistry.

DD: I had an exceptional time in New York promoting Dexter: Resurrection. I got overwhelmed several times during the trip and had to find a fire exit or rooftop to catch my breath since there’s a lot of change happening in my life right now and I don’t always know how to handle the expanding circle of experiences.

The Dexter franchise has such a powerful fanbase and the cast in this new sequel is so dynamic, the energy around the premiere and promotions was vivid. I really love this cast: Michael C. Hall has always been an actor that I admire and seeing him up close as he performed was a gift; Krysten Ritter has been a friend for a long time and we’ve been wanting to work together; Eric Stonestreet and I are Kansas City natives and I see him every year at The Big Slick charity event for Children’s Mercy Hospital in our hometown which he cohosts so, seeing him embody a serial killer was terrifying; Peter Dinklage is incredible and a new friend; Neil Patrick Harris has always been someone I’ve wanted to meet; and Uma Thurman is…. Uma. Legend. As cool as they come.

bare: it was also great meeting your writing partner, Leah Kilpatrick in NY, are there any upcoming plans to collaborate on a project?

DD: Leah is a massively important part of my life, both personally and creatively. We’ve been friends for almost twenty years, and she’s always been one of the spookiest, funniest people I know. I can’t talk (yet!) about most of our latest collaborations but I’m so excited that we were able to announce our new comic book series, THE ACCESSORIES, from Panick Publishing during San Diego Comic Con. It’s the story of the world’s greatest henchmen (and woman) joining forces as they escape the tyranny of their masters. Igor, Renfield and Mrs. Hyde are on the run from Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Jeckyl but the sins of their past mean that they aren’t safe in the village. How will they use their knowledge and past to overcome the monstrous challenges ahead?

bare: congrats on the season 2 renewal of "Murderbot". what are you looking forward to the most about getting back to work on that project?

DD: I miss the people who made that show. I deeply love them. Making Murderbot was a life-changing experience, and it pushed my acting in many new directions. Paul and Chris Weitz are very special human beings and the cast/crew that they assembled is very important to me.

bare: you've also just scored a starring role as the central villain M. Bison in "Street Fighter". Are you looking forward to playing a character described as someone involved in various illegal activities, including arms trafficking, mind control experiments and world domination?

DD: I was recently playing Street Fighter with my kid and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the impact that the nostalgic culture of my youth has had on my life. Comics, movies, shows, games and toys… so many influences. M. Bison is a very powerful figure in that space. I’m honored that Kitao Sakurai trusts me with his vision of the role.

bare: is there a genre or project you haven't yet experienced in your 20 some years of working that you would like to? or would you like to focus on more behind the camera and writing?

DD: I would love a chance to perform in a musical. Cinematic musicals are such a powerful form and there are all kinds. A small, independent chamber musical would be amazing, like a very contained Fantastiks or Little Night Music. I have also always dreamed of playing Orin Scrivello, DDS from Little Shop of Horrors.

bare: you're a very busssssy man. what's your secret to achieving balance and recharging your batteries?

DD: I wake up each morning with a checklist to review goals and what I am grateful for. I’ll journal, then I do yoga, wake up my kids, make us all breakfast, take a long walk and do a zoom for my support group. I try to meditate before I’m too far into the day and I usually find at least ten minutes out of the day to check in with my best friend who lives in France. The most important thing is the gratitude lists. I end each day acknowledging six things I’m feeling grateful towards from the past 24 hours.

bare: you love all BLUE things! we caught you on camera eating a few blue M&M's, when did this all begin and why?

DD: When I was a little boy in Kansas I was visited by a formation of blue lights outside my bedroom window. Was it a dream? Was it aliens? Angels? Who knows. Who cares. Around that time, I started drinking blue Jones Soda and I would get blue icing on every cake. Then, Cookie Monster ice cream was invented and I lost it. Obsessed.

bare: describe your personal style (we know you love black including eyeliner!) also your footwear evolution from Chuck Taylor's to now mostly Dr. Martens?

DD: I’m very intrigued by fashion and the way fabrics and different materials interact with the body. I found a wonderful designer named Johnny Cota in Los Angeles a few years ago and began to feel more and more comfortable embracing my sense of belonging and strength in designs that were more unique and fluid, less traditionally masculine.

I love futuristic designs and recently found this amazing store in LA called Politix Studio. They carry amazing artists like Yeung Chin, La Haine and more. I have worn black Chuck T’s my whole life and really love their all black leather upper design. Docs were a big part of my life in my 20’s. I got a new pair of boots about 4 years ago and immediately fell back in love with the look and feel. When Nine Inch Nails was commemorating the anniversary of Downward Spiral, Docs put out a special design and I got a pair. I wear them all the time.