Convention - For The Love of Fantasy 2025 – David Anders reflects on his career, music, and unforgettable roles

By Mulder, London, ExCeL London, 17 august 2025

On August 17, 2025, the ExCeL London convention center welcomed thousands of fans for For The Love of Fantasy 2025, one of the UK’s most popular gatherings celebrating television, film, and fantasy culture. Among the many panels that stood out during the weekend, the spotlight shone brightly on American actor David Anders, who met an enthusiastic audience eager to revisit two decades of memorable roles and anecdotes from his eclectic career. Known for his chameleon-like ability to slip between accents and genres, David Anders brought equal parts humor, humility, and behind-the-scenes insight to his panel, making it one of the highlights of this year’s edition.

Born David Anders Holt on March 11, 1981, in Grants Pass, Oregon, the actor reflected on how his journey from small-town life to international recognition has always felt a little surreal. Growing up the youngest of four siblings in a close-knit family, he first embraced acting through school plays, though much of his youth was devoted to sports like basketball and tennis. He shared a light-hearted anecdote from his teenage years when, at only 15, he played Philip the Apostle in a regional production of Jesus Christ Superstar. By the time he reached 18, he had already embraced more ambitious roles such as George in Our Town and Freddy in My Fair Lady. At the panel, he noted with a grin that while he once thought he’d pursue tennis more seriously, “teaching serves to kids at a local court was hardly as exciting as blowing things up on Alias.”

The transition from stage to screen was not immediate, and David Anders reminded the crowd that before finding his footing in Hollywood, he held more ordinary jobs. He worked at The Gap and continued giving tennis lessons, all while auditioning and refining his craft. In 2001, fate intervened when he secured a role in the Olsen twins’ series So Little Time as a high school senior. That same year, he auditioned for what he thought would be a short guest part in Alias—the mysterious Julian Sark. Instead of disappearing after a few episodes, his character became a recurring fixture, lasting until 2006. This rise from guest star to series regular provided the first real turning point in his career, and during the panel, he admitted that Julian Sark remains one of his favorite characters because of the mix of danger, charm, and ambiguity that came with it.

The ExCeL London audience was particularly engaged when the conversation turned to his breakout roles that demanded a convincing British Home Counties accent. David Anders, who is American, playfully demonstrated how quickly he can slip into the accent, switching mid-sentence during the Q&A to raucous applause. Fans of Heroes remembered him as Adam Monroe, also known as Takezo Kensei, an immortal figure whose storyline allowed Anders to push his villainous charisma further. He revealed that mastering both the swordplay and the centuries-spanning gravitas of the role challenged him to blend physicality with nuanced delivery. He admitted that British fans often tell him they were shocked to discover he wasn’t actually from the UK.

The discussion also delved into his popular turns on The Vampire Diaries, where he played John Gilbert, and his recurring role as Victor Frankenstein, or Dr. Whale, on Once Upon a Time. He chuckled when recalling how fans sometimes conflate his characters, joking that “Blaine DeBeers from iZombie could have easily shown up in Storybrooke if the writers had been a little crazier.” His portrayal of Blaine, a slick and sardonic zombie-turned-antagonist, earned him a devoted following between 2015 and 2022, and it remains one of the most frequently mentioned roles at conventions. Several fans at the panel asked about memorable scenes from iZombie, to which he responded with affection for the cast and admiration for the show’s mix of genre-bending horror and comedy.

The panel was not limited to his screen career. David Anders touched on his experiences on stage, including his work in Rockne: The Musical and The Diary of Anne Frank, which won a Back Stage West Garland Award for Best Ensemble. He also recalled his time in Band From TV, a group formed by fellow actor Greg Grunberg, where he sang lead vocals alongside Bonnie Somerville, with Hugh Laurie on keyboards and James Denton on guitar. The band, created to raise money for charity, allowed Anders to mix his love for acting with a passion for music, a passion he revisited in 2022 with his single Above Below, a heartfelt tribute to his late father produced by David Poe. Fans in London appreciated this more personal side of Anders, applauding his decision to step into music despite the vulnerability it required.

At moments, the conversation grew reflective. Anders acknowledged the challenges of longevity in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the importance of versatility. Whether he was working on independent films such as The Surge or Circadian Rhythm, appearing in guest roles on shows like Charmed, CSI, and Grey’s Anatomy, or headlining major network series, he highlighted that each role, no matter how small, helped him build his identity as an actor. One audience member noted how he seemed equally proud of his indie beginnings as his high-profile television work, which underscored a humility that endeared him further to the fans.

By the end of the session, David Anders had offered fans a tapestry of memories, insights, and laughter. From the challenges of mastering accents to the emotional resonance of honoring his father through music, the panel demonstrated why he remains a beloved figure at conventions. The line for autographs and selfies after the panel stretched long, proof that his blend of charm, candor, and talent continues to captivate audiences. For many attendees, his presence at For The Love of Fantasy 2025 was not just a nostalgic reunion with beloved characters, but also a reminder of the dedication and resilience required to sustain a career in the constantly shifting world of television and film.

Filmography :

2001 – So Little Time
2001–2006 – Alias (Julian Sark)
2002 – The Surge
2005 – Beautiful (Off-Broadway musical)
2005 – Circadian Rhythm
2006 – Left in Darkness
2007 – ELI
2007–2008 – Heroes (Adam Monroe / Takezo Kensei)
2009 – Into the Blue 2: The Reef
2009 – The Revenant
2010 – 24 (season 8, guest star)
2010–2011 – The Vampire Diaries (John Gilbert)
2011–2015 – Once Upon a Time (Victor Frankenstein / Dr. Whale)
2012 – Necessary Roughness (Troy Cutler)
2015–2022 – iZombie (Blaine DeBeers)
2015 – Once Upon a Time (guest cameo)
2016 – Once Upon a Time (guest cameo)
2017 – The Vampire Diaries (series finale cameo)
2022 – Above Below (music single, tribute to his father)

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