Julian Haig is one of Tommy's old mates and now, our official Tapioca Flour supplier. Since getting a degree, Julian has starred on popular shows such as Once Upon A Time, Arrow and most popularly Riverdale. With a chiseled jawline and Hollywood-Hair, Julian is a true gronk at heart.
Follow Julian on Instagram:
@julianhaig
Verbatim from the transcripts — each quote links to the moment.
“I think it's smart to like use it but not let it use you.”
“Courage. I think that's my— that might be it, because so much of the fear is what are people going to think, how's this going to be received.”
“It's a funny question because, like, in a way, we're all fucked up.”
“What's also good about something like this is like, it's a good space because we like watching conflict.”
“Heat means like, um, if you're hot, it means a lot of people are talking about you, want you.”
“I almost feel sorry for people that hit it big as a kid, because then that's so much of your identity is that, and then everyone sees you as that.”
“Everyone's just kind of winging it.”
“That's the difference between, I think, self-consciousness and self-awareness.”
How should actors think about building a social media following?
Use social media as a tool but don't let it become the main focus — treating it as the priority stops being fun and doesn't actually help your career, per advice from Eric Bana relayed by Julian.
How can actors practice their craft outside of auditions?
Do vocal warm-ups and exercises solo, treat self-tape auditions as practice reps, and consider the Jake Gyllenhaal method of repeating the same scene differently each time with a partner giving no feedback other than 'do it again, differently'.
Should actors only read the scenes their character appears in?
Read the entire script as an audience member first, since you can learn a lot about your character from what other characters say about them even in scenes you're not in; TV actors who skip this tend to get lazy.
What is the fundamental rule for doing improv?
Always 'yes, and' — accept whatever information your scene partner introduces and build on it rather than contradicting it, which keeps the scene moving and doesn't make your partner feel foolish.
How do you deal with ongoing family negativity or unsupportive comments about your career?
Have the harder, vulnerable conversation directly with family rather than avoiding it or resenting it silently; tell them plainly that you feel unsupported, because people often won't volunteer that and need to hear it to understand the impact.
How can you quiet self-consciousness while performing or in conversation?
Rather than trying to get everything right, intentionally allow yourself to 'get it wrong' or be spontaneous instead of planned; relaxing into trust in yourself reduces the hyperfocus on self that causes self-consciousness.
Julian describes creating one of his first TikTok videos, an improvised bit about seeing someone push a 'pull' door, which Josh compares to theatre sports and personal branding.
After watching Cowspiracy, Julian went vegan for three months around four or five years ago but struggled because he hadn't properly researched how to get adequate protein and nutrients, eventually giving up.
Julian recounts nearly bumping into an older woman in his building while texting and walking, after which she lectured him about 'you guys' always being on phones; he later wished he'd responded more directly.
Julian recalls being present at a cafe when Andy Lee got a woman's email address, with Tommy noting he had predicted the romantic connection at the time.
Julian recounts getting into a heated exchange with his sister after she asked him to end a personal phone call during a car ride, exploring how sibling relationships amplify small conflicts.
Drawn from the episode transcripts.
Julian Haig explains CrossFit has more of a strength focus with heavier, higher-risk Olympic lifting movements and longer rest periods, while F45 runs bigger circuits with less individual coaching time, though both build strong communities that behave like 'cults'.
From episode 490→Julian Haig relays advice from Eric Bana at a 16th Street Q&A that chasing social media metrics is the wrong focus; it's fine to use it as a tool but 'not let it use you', since agents do factor follower counts into casting but obsessing over it becomes 'toxic'.
From episode 490→Julian Haig explains the core improv rule is to always accept and build on whatever information a scene partner introduces rather than denying it, because contradicting another actor's statement ('no, it's not cold') makes the scene partner feel like an idiot.
From episode 490→Julian felt he'd be typecast in Australia as a former model trying to act, and believed he had a better shot of being seen for genuine acting roles in Vancouver, especially since his sister had already found steady acting work there.
From episode 397→According to Julian Haig and the hosts, the Patch Cafe waffles were made largely from tapioca flour, though owner Tommy Davidson reportedly never confirmed the full recipe to Tommy Jackett.
From episode 397→Julian Haig explains it's less about the literal question and more about low-level banter/reference points people use; he suggests having an honest, rehearsed-but-truthful answer and, more broadly, having the harder vulnerable conversations about feeling unsupported rather than avoiding them.
From episode 397→Mentioned on 7 episodes Julianwasn’t on.
Mentioned by Josh as someone who's been losing sleep attending the Australian Open tennis.
Every episode featuring Julian Haig on The Daily Talk Show.
Julian Haig joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 490 (18 October 2019) — "Improv & Performing With Julian Haig". Julian Haig is back for Weekend Banter! We chat about cross fit and F45, scripts and performing, and what happens when a few gronks do a bit of improv.
Julian Haig joined Tommy Jackett and Josh Janssen on Episode 397 (17 July 2019) — "Julian Haig And Tapioca Flour". Julian Haig - he's an actor in the hit drama series Riverdale, and a lawn bowls gold medalist who has spent the last few years appearing alongside some of the biggest names in TV. Today he joins us on the show.
