Exclusive | ‘The Umbrella Academy’ star Tom Hopper on his favourites, from motorbikes to kitchen knives

You might think Tom Hopper has a hero complex. He has played a knight (Sir Percival in “Merlin”), a Viking (Asbjörn in “Northmen: A Viking Saga”), a pirate (as Billy Bones in “Black Sails”), a superhero (Luther Hargreeves in “The Umbrella Academy”. “) and soon a Navy SEAL (Raife Hastings in “Terminal List: Dark Wolf” based on Jack Carr’s novels). But the talented Brit is as humble as he is approachable.

The former Men’s Health cover star is a devoted husband to fellow actress Laura Higgins (now Hopper, with whom he enjoys playing a competitive game of padel tennis) and doting father to their son, Freddie, 9 , and daughter, Truly, 6. He’s also grown to be great friends with his cast mates. As the fourth and final season of The Umbrella Academy airs on Netflix on August 8, Tom tells Alexa that acting alongside his TV siblings “was pure joy.”

“I had a uniquely close relationship with all of them,” says Hopper, 39. “David [Castañeda]Ritual [Arya] and I related massively to many meals as we are all big foodies. Emmy [Raver-Lampman] and I enjoyed a coffee and the old gossip. [Robert] Sheehan and I would put the world to justice and end up talking about the most deceiving sh*t. Hence why we made a podcast [The Earth Locker] together. Elliot [Page] it would show me things that would open my mind to the world around me. Justin [H. Min] and I worked together and just laughed about the most random things for hours. And Aiden [Gallagher] it made me realize that I was really immature at 16.”

Just as his character Luther needs his family, Tom considers these items part of his survival kit.

“I love my Belstaff outlaw leather jacket. It has been all over the world with me. But it looks great off the bike too.”

“The Breitling Navitimer is my favorite watch. I love everything about its design and history [dating back to the 1950s].”

“For years, my favorite sneakers have been Adidas Stan Smiths. They are such a solid all-round shoe.”

“People all day long. I fell in love with them when I wore them on ‘Love in the Villa’ [which filmed in Italy in 2021]. They’re all I wear now.”

“When it comes to skincare, I like to be as natural as possible. So I use an all-natural face balm and that’s it.”

“I have worn one perfume and one perfume only for many years and this [spicy, leathery, musk with cardamom, iris and violet] it’s her.”

“I absolutely love cooking and these pots and pans are a staple in my kitchen.”

“They’re perfectly weighted knives, and they just get better over time if they’re well cared for. The lugs use Japanese steel and craftsmanship, with beautiful British design. Together they provide the perfect cutting experience for a chef. I love them.”

“My Whoop band has been amazing in helping me track my sleep and performance while working and traveling. It tells me when I need to take it easy and take a day off and when it’s okay to push it harder. This has been especially helpful during periods of nighttime shooting and getting minimal sleep but knowing when I’ve had enough to do my workouts.”

“I’ve been riding the Triumph Rocket 3 and the Harley Low Rider S recently. They are both ridiculously entertaining.”

“My bag goes everywhere with me and has been through everything with me too. It is practically indestructible.”

“I’m currently reading all of Jack Carr’s books. I started reading them when I attended the show [“Terminal List: Dark Wolf” coming to Amazon Prime Video] and I have become obsessed. They are caught as hell. The things I’ve learned from my mentors at Dark Wolf have been incredible. What those guys have done – and are capable of – blows my mind. It has been nothing but an honor to work alongside them and in turn, to have the privilege of bringing a Navy SEAL to life in Raife Hastings. It’s a task I don’t take lightly, as authenticity is absolutely crucial on our show. It’s a challenge that I enjoy and that I’m excited for people to see when it’s over.”

“It’s my favorite album of all time and the biggest nostalgia for me. When I listen to it, it takes me back to being 18 and driving around with my mates in a 1.1L Ford Fiesta.”