interview | shiraz tzarfati

full look. Loni Vintage
jewellery. Maili Jewelry

Shiraz Tzarfati has built a career that mirrors her own multicultural rhythm — fluid, fearless, and full of transformation. From small but memorable parts in ‘The Serpent Queen’ and ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ to her breakout role in ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’, Tzarfati embodies the global generation of actors who move seamlessly between languages, genres, and industries.

Before her breakout turn in ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’, Tzarfati was quietly building her résumé across television and film. Those early roles, often small but meaningful, became her training ground. “Even one line can make the dream feel real,” she says. Each set was a classroom; each scene, a test of confidence.

Now, stepping into ‘Dark Wolf’, a spinoff of the hit Jack Carr universe, Tzarfati brings to life Tal — a sharp, resilient young operator whose wit and intelligence make her as dangerous as she is endearing. It’s a role that demanded both physical and emotional precision, something Tzarfati trained for intensively under the guidance of elite stunt teams and military advisors. But behind the fight choreography and weapons drills lies the heart of her performance — a deep curiosity about human behaviour and an ability to adapt, to shift, to survive.

Schön! chats with Tzarfati to discuss ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ and more.

full look. Loni Vintage
jewellery. Maili Jewelry
opposite
full look. Loni Vintage
jewellery. Maili Jewelry

You’ve lived and worked across multiple languages and industries. How has that international background shaped your approach to acting?

I think the biggest gift of moving between cultures is that it constantly shifts something in you. Every time I switch languages, I feel a different part of my personality come out — in my humour, in my habits, in my body language, in the way I experience the world. It’s taught me adaptability and made me curious about people. As an actor, I sometimes even use it as a tool. For example, if there’s a scene I can’t fully figure out, I’ll try it in another language and see what layer comes out of it. I’m not afraid of being “out of place,” because I’ve lived in that space my whole life. It’s also why I love stories that either transcend borders entirely — like in sci-fi, where it doesn’t matter where you’re from — or ones deeply rooted in culture and community. Both extremes feel personal to me.

Before ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’, you had roles in ‘The Serpent Queen’, ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’, and French cinema. What do you think each of those projects taught you that prepared you for this moment?

In all of those projects, I had very small roles — sometimes just one line. But even on that scale, getting the call (even if it wasn’t “the role of my life”) meant the world. It made things feel possible and tangible. That was the first thing those roles gave me: the sense that this dream is achievable. The second thing was more practical. They taught me how to exist on big sets — how to behave, interact, and find my place in these huge productions. That experience was essential. By the time I stepped onto Dark Wolf, I already knew how a set like that breathes. At least that challenge was set aside — though many others were waiting.

You’re often described as blending “high fashion with high stakes.” How do you see your fashion-world sensibility influencing your screen presence?

For me, fashion and action can be deeply connected. The clothes you wear change how you feel — they can unlock another side of you. That’s basically character work. When I put on something different, it channels a different alter ego, the same way stepping into a role does. Being around creativity — whether it’s film, fashion, or art — makes you a better actor. It keeps you curious and inspired. Fashion in particular pushes you to experiment, to embrace boldness, to embody different versions of yourself. And the more I play in that space, the more specific I can be when I’m building characters.

full look. Loni Vintage
jewellery. Maili Jewelry

What drew you to the role in ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ and what made you say, “I have to play her”?

Honestly, even before reading the audition scenes, I wanted to play her because of the people involved. Funny side story — one of the executive producers and directors of the first two episodes is Frederick E.O. Toye. He also worked on Alias, which was the first show I ever became completely obsessed with. I was eight years old, way too young to be watching it (so Mom, what were you thinking? But also — thank you!). I even used to recreate the fight moves in my bedroom. So when I saw his name on ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’, it felt like such a full-circle moment. And when I read the audition scenes, I had a clear picture of who Tal was and exactly how I would play her. I immediately felt close to her and thought, “Yeah, I know this girl.”

This is a physically demanding, action-heavy franchise. What kind of training or preparation did you do to step into the role?

My main training was for the fight scene. I worked very closely with Thom Williams, our stunt coordinator, who drilled every move into my body until it became pure muscle memory. That way, when the cameras rolled, I could just live in the moment. A lot of Tal’s moves are based in jiu-jitsu — she uses technique and brains more than brute strength, especially against someone huge like Ethan Suplee’s character. That’s the part I loved most, because it showed how she survives by being clever. On the technical side — weapons, operator work — we had incredible advisors with us all the time. Ex-Navy SEAL Jared Shaw, ex-Army Ranger Max Adams, and many others guided us through every detail to make sure everything looked authentic. That was reassuring, because you knew you were being kept honest every step of the way.

You star opposite Taylor Kitsch — what was the dynamic like building that on-screen partnership?

Taylor has this energy that makes you step up your game — whether you want to or not. My first day on set was with him and Tom Hopper, both of whom I didn’t know yet. I had to make Tal’s youth, humour, and confidence exist opposite these strong, grounded men. Inside, I was intimidated, but I pushed myself to match them. Over time, that shifted. Taylor became someone I feel very comfortable around and look up to. Even though we don’t have many scenes together, I think the chemistry we all had off-screen translated on screen and helped create this “wolf pack” feeling. I’m grateful I got to experience both sides: the intimidation that made me step up, and the comfort that let me play.

How would you describe your character in ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ to someone who hasn’t seen the show yet?

The best one — duh. (I really do love her.) More seriously, I think she’s the character younger audiences will relate to most. Not only because she’s the youngest, but because she’s still untouched by this darker world at the beginning. There’s something preserved and relatable in her. What makes her special is her wit, her energy, her brain, and her resilience. She doesn’t survive because she’s the strongest in the room — she survives because she’s smart and because she refuses to give up.

What aspects of her personality or backstory resonated with you the most?

I think the reason I got cast is that something in our energy is very similar. That’s what I tapped into when I auditioned. We both have that little spiciness, the confidence, and the drive to do our best. She’s definitely more badass and smart than I am — but I could relate to her immediately. I also connected to her place in the group. She’s the youngest, with big ambitions, constantly pushing forward — that’s basically me in my own family. I’m the baby, but I’ve always been eager for the next challenge, just like she is. And stepping into this impressive cast and this huge set mirrored Tal stepping into the field. That parallel made her feel very close to me. The harder part wasn’t finding the similarities — it was respecting the differences. Tal is an operator. Her resilience and the way she prioritizes the mission over her feelings are things I had to learn and lean into.

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jewellery. Maili Jewelry
opposite
full look. Loni Vintage
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Was there a particular scene or moment that really helped you “lock in” to who she is?

The fight scene. Absolutely. It was a turning point both for me and for Tal. For her, it was the moment she proved — to herself and to everyone — what kind of operator she was going to be. She never gave up for a second, and that showed me her true essence. For me, it was also the moment I understood her on a deeper level. Acting with your body like that, letting survival instincts take over — it locked me into who she really is and the stakes of the world she exists in, while still being so young. It was sad to realize, but empowering to see how she makes it to the other side.

Your character operates in a dangerous, high-stakes world. How did you balance her strength with vulnerability to make her feel authentic?

The script being so well-written helped a lot. It made clear where each emotion had its time and place. And if I wasn’t sure what to lean into, I would bounce off the actor in front of me and just be present with them. They made it easy. For example, my scene with Mo (played by Dar Salim) — where he opens up about his past — was one of my audition scenes. When we filmed it, just being there with him, open and listening, completely changed how I played it compared to casting. And it made sense. That being said, it was hard sometimes. Every time I wanted to let her break down or lean into vulnerability, I had to remind myself: we don’t live in the same world. So I let those instincts exist, but I dialled them back — maybe only 40%. Because for Tal, the mission always comes first. That restraint made her feel real to me.

If your character were to continue beyond ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’, where would you like to see her story go?

I’d love to see what kind of operator she becomes. Our showrunner, Dave DiGilio, described this season for my character as “the becoming of Tal.” It’s the foundation for the operator she’s meant to be. So I’d be excited to see that arc continue — how she changes after what she’s experienced, what she’s survived, and what she’s learned from her mentor, Eliza (played by Rona-Lee Shimon).

Without giving away spoilers, what do you think sets ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ apart from previous chapters in The Terminal List universe?

I think it’s more character-driven. Someone from the cast described it as “the indie version of The Terminal List,” and I kind of agree. The first series was epic, but ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ pulls you in more personally. You’re as invested in the people and their relationships as you are in the action. That makes it special.

You’ve been compared to Léa Seydoux and Noomi Rapace — actresses known for their versatility and global careers. Do you see yourself following a similar trajectory, or do you have a different vision for your path?

First of all, who do I need to pay to keep that comparison going? Thank you, I’m blushing. I hope to be as hardworking, talented, and recognized as those women. But I also believe strongly in uniqueness. I don’t want to “follow” anyone’s path — even if I admire them deeply. That said, I do dream of a career that’s both global and versatile, but I’d also love to work across my two home countries as much as I do internationally.

What excites you most about being part of a global franchise at this moment in your career?

To even be a part of it!! This franchise has so much potential to keep expanding — spinoffs, different corners of the Jack Carr universe. And for me, the best part is that even if everything about it feels so big in scale, it still feels like family. To feel comfortable enough in that space, with those people, to be fully myself — that’s rare, and I don’t take it for granted. And honestly, I’m just as curious as a fan as I am as part of the cast to see where this universe goes next.

Looking ahead, what kinds of roles or stories are you most passionate about exploring next?

Honestly, I usually don’t know until I read it. That’s how I work. Sometimes a role I never imagined for myself comes along, and the second I read it, I know it’s the next thing I want and need. That’s what happened with Tal. That being said, I get very excited about roles that require new skills, training, or transformation to access. And I’d love to play with tone a bit. I’ve done a lot of drama, and I’ll always love it, but I’d be very open to exploring comedy — just to stretch another muscle.

full look. Loni Vintage
jewellery. Maili Jewelry

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is streaming now on Amazon Prime.

photography, creative direction + post-production. Eden Amit + Ethan Kajari
fashion. Tamar Elbaz
talent. Shiraz Tzarfati
hair. Shoval Edri
make up. Adam Mechaly
fashion assistant. Ziv cohen