Travis Fimmel, wearing Jil Sander and Maison Margiela for this digital cover, becomes both bounty hunter and producer in the Western That Dirty Black Bag.
Travis Fimmel, best known for his roles as Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings and Marcus in Raised by Wolves, is back on our screens in That Dirty Black Bag, a Western where a sheriff and a bounty hunter face off. “You could say it’s a revenge story, but it’s such a great spaghetti western,” Fimmel tells us, his Australian accent still intact despite over 20 years of living Stateside.
The AMC+ drama series set in the savage Wild West chronicles an eight-day battle between Sheriff Arthur McCoy [Dominic Cooper] and Red Bill [Douglas Booth], infamous for decapitating his victims and dragging their heads in a black bag. “The lead character’s mother was slaughtered when he was a child and he witnessed it,” Fimmel explains. “So, it’s him searching for that man, and the rivalry he finds along the way.” In the series, Fimmel plays another bounty hunter, but one who teaches kids the craft of seeking rewards. Despite struggling with a lot of personal issues, his character always tries to do what he thinks is right. “Unfortunately, I was supposed to have a bigger role but, because of COVID, I ended up having to go to other commitments.” However, Fimmel also had part to play behind the scenes as a producer. “You forget how those old movies work. It’s very unique! I hope the genre will pick up again,” he tells us.
Producing seems to be the logical continuation for the 42-year-old after being in front of the camera for so long. Over the years, he has become a staple on the small and big screen. We have seen him portray Tarzan, a math major in Maggie’s Plan and the commander of the human forces in Warcraft. For Raised by Wolves, Fimmel was personally hired by Sir Ridley Scott, with whom he enjoyed “a lot of dinners, great talks on life in general. He’s like me. He doesn’t like to talk about business.” However, the actor’s most notorious role came in 2013 when he was cast in Vikings as Ragnar Lothbrok Sigurdsson, a 9th Century farmer and warrior. Over the first few seasons of the show, we follow Ragnar on his journey from farming in his hometown to his conquest of England, before becoming the king of Denmark.
jacket. Yohji Yamamoto
shirt + trousers. AMI Paris
jacket. Yohji Yamamoto
shirt + trousers. AMI Paris
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Season 2 of Raised by Wolves is available on HBO Max. That Dirty Black Bag is on AMC+ now.
Discover the full editorial and our chat with Travis Fimmel in print in Schön! 42. You can download your issue with this digital-only cover exclusively here.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 29: Usher performs on stage at The O2 Arena on March 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for USHER )
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 29: Usher performs on stage at The O2 Arena on March 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for USHER )
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Usher’s ‘Past Present Future’ tour proves that nobody does performance quite like a legacy artist. Celebrating 30 years of hits, his decades in the industry shone through as his star aura radiated throughout the stadium. The Atlanta R&B superstar will spend his spring 2025 touring in London, Amsterdam, Paris and Berlin. Usher’s sold-out stint at London’s O2 arena covers 10 shows which the singer told the crowd marks every year since he’d last played in the city. The show is an impressive two and a half hours long with Usher being on stage for a large portion of it. Although the night is long, there is never a dull moment, making for an immersive experience.
The theatrical set design and interactiveness of the show keeps the pace of the evening exciting. Whether he’s roller skating around the stage in a bedazzled tracksuit or walking though the crowd dressed in nothing but some leather jeans and fur jacket with cherries in hand, Usher is a class act in bringing a show to life. His cherry act in particular has become an internet favourite since his 2024 Paris residency. Showing incredible stamina, he peruses several sections of the crowd in search of women he can feed a cherry too. The star knows how to play into the sensuality of his music, with projections on the screen showing hot and steamy re-enactments and talented pole dancers bringing the fun of an ATL strip club to the O2 as Usher sings ‘I Don’t Mind’ surrounded by women.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Usher performs on stage with Naomi Campbell at The O2 Arena on April 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images For Usher)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Usher performs on stage with Naomi Campbell at The O2 Arena on April 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images For Usher)
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The show’s dynamic lighting radiates off the sparkly ensembles Usher adorns at the beginning of the show. When he eases into 2010s classics like ‘Climax’ the lighting mimics the flashing lights of a dimly lit club. Although there is always something going on, whether that be his extremely talented dancers doing back flips or Usher hitting a handstand, there is a coherent thread of storytelling throughout the show. The artist uses AI to look back on different eras of his career through younger versions of himself, travelling through time and his discography. He not only reflects on his musical journey, but of his personal one too, touching on themes like fatherhood and former relationships.
On Sunday (6 April,) Usher thanked London crowds for their loud support and for being so welcoming to this “American boy” before bringing on special guest Estelle to perform her hit song of the same name. The show reminisced on his rise to the top while addressing the flaws he’s overcome on the way through hits like ‘Confessions.’ Although the audio quality was not always the best throughout the show, Usher’s vocals were studio perfect as were his signature dance moves, complimented by an ensemble of talented dancers who brought his music to life. Usher spent the evening effortlessly giving his all on his entire discography, meaning no fan was left disappointed. The ‘Past Present Future’ tour is a must see for anyone after a lively and memorable night of nostalgia.
Is there anything better than self-love? To romance yourself is to nurture, care, and love yourself just as you would for a romantic partner, and in this Schön! editorial we see Julius Juan Justianto capture Why’s journey to self-romance with fashion by Gisela Febrina Juwono.
top. Tanah le Saé
trousers + boots. Stylist’s Own
opposite
top. Greyhound Original
glasses. Kearny
top. Tanah le Saé
trousers + boots. Stylist’s Own
opposite
top. Greyhound Original
glasses. Kearny
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top. Tanah le Saé
top. Tanah le Saé
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top. Aesthetic Pleasure
bottom. Arthur Apparel
shoes. Crocs x Feng Chen Wang
opposite
top. Tanah le Saé
trousers. Stylist’s Own
top. Aesthetic Pleasure
bottom. Arthur Apparel
shoes. Crocs x Feng Chen Wang
opposite
top. Tanah le Saé
trousers. Stylist’s Own
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top. Jane Suda
skirt. Lyn Around
glasses. Gentle Monster
top. Jane Suda
skirt. Lyn Around
glasses. Gentle Monster
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top + leather bib. Stylist’s Own
top + leather bib. Stylist’s Own
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top. Tanah le Saé
trousers + boots. Stylist’s Own
top. Tanah le Saé
trousers + boots. Stylist’s Own
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top. Aesthetic Pleasure
bottom. Arthur Apparel
opposite
top. Aesthetic Pleasure
bottom. Arthur Apparel
top. Aesthetic Pleasure
bottom. Arthur Apparel
opposite
top. Aesthetic Pleasure
bottom. Arthur Apparel
leather jacket. SANDRO
vest. AHLUWALIA
trousers. PAUL SMITH
loafers. REFRENCE
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full look. Valentino
leather jacket. SANDRO
vest. AHLUWALIA
trousers. PAUL SMITH
loafers. REFRENCE
opposite
full look. Valentino
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What does it take to inhabit the mindset of a man moments from death — suspended in the cold, black stillness of the deep sea, tethered only by hope and memory? For Finn Cole, stepping into the role of diver Chris Lemons in ‘Last Breath‘ wasn’t just an acting challenge; it was a test of endurance, empathy, and emotional precision. Known for his sharp instincts in ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘Animal Kingdom’, Cole has evolved from rising talent to a performer with palpable emotional depth — one who understands that great storytelling lives in the fine balance between technique and vulnerability.
In conversation with Schön!, Finn Cole reflects on filming ‘Last Breath,’ the physical demands of underwater filmmaking, the emotional toll of portraying real-life trauma, and the quiet resilience that carries both character and actor through the darkest depths.
Hi Finn! Thank you for chatting with Schön!. To start, how has your approach to acting evolved since your early days on ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘Animal Kingdom’?
I’d say I’ve learnt a lot of things since the early days: tools to make the job easier and more enjoyable. Mostly discipline with rest periods and routine in my down time to help me focus when working. The approach is different depending on what the part asks of me, I suppose. Figuring that out is the fun bit.
Are there particular techniques, rituals or methods you rely on to immerse yourself in a role, especially for intense performances like ‘Last Breath’?
With ‘Last Breath’, I had to focus on the diving training before I could even think about the character. Once I got comfortable with the technical side of the underwater stuff, I found lots of stretching and meditation helped me focus when I had the helmet on. That actually aligned quite nicely with what we were taught early on in training, so that was a change to my normal approach.
What makes a script stand out to you when you’re deciding whether to take on a role?
Pacing, character, and interesting dilemmas. This script offered all of those things and also allowed me to learn a new skill. That, to me, is a nice bonus!
Are there any actors or filmmakers who have significantly influenced your career or approach to storytelling?
Cillian and Helen were great role models in the early days of my career. John Wells imparted invaluable wisdom in the 6 seasons we worked together on. The list is endless! I love actors who use the ‘less is more’ approach and, alternatively, I’m a huge fan of those who push the boundaries. I just love film and learning from all who make it! Woody and Simu also deserve a special mention for the amount of fun they injected into the shoot day.
Do you see acting as more of a technical skill, an emotional experience, or a combination of both? How do you balance those elements?
Definitely a combination of both, depending on what you’re trying to achieve. You have to draw upon both of those skills very regularly. Emotional sensitivity and intelligence allows you to find interesting answers to questions posed by writers, but you also have to hit your mark and work with the camera efficiently. Best not to overthink it though…
How do you handle emotionally demanding scenes? Is there a process you use to step in and out of a character’s headspace?
Keeping distractions to a minimum is quite important. Without stating the obvious I also push myself to think deeply about the character’s headspace and try to sit with it for as long as possible. It can take a lot of energy though, so it’s sometimes hard to switch off after the more emotional scenes.
‘Last Breath’ is based on true events. How did knowing the real-life outcome impact your approach to the character and the story?
I think it’s important not to tell the end of the story before it’s time. You have to earn an ending like that. The movie, for the most part, plays in real time, making it crucial to stay fully present in each scene to avoid revealing any plot points.
polo shirt. Geordie Campbell
jeans. TDR @ GARBSTORE
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full look. Geordie Campbell
shoes. Lanvin
polo shirt. Geordie Campbell
jeans. TDR @ GARBSTORE
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full look. Geordie Campbell
shoes. Lanvin
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How did you prepare to portray a real-life figure like Chris Lemons, especially considering the harrowing circumstances he endured?
Yes, Chris was very helpful and gave me his phone number right away in case any extra correspondence was needed. There are aspects of the story that the movie could explore further than the documentary could, so it meant I had lots of deep and quite emotional questions for Chris. He was very generous throughout.
It was very helpful to have Chris to talk to, as well as other men who do this job. I wanted to capture the essence of Chris’ personality and I got to ask him some pretty difficult questions. It’s important to be respectful, though. Chris was an absolute gent while I was preparing for the role and extremely supportive throughout!
Has playing Chris Lemons in ‘Last Breath’ changed the way you think about fear, survival, or resilience?
Yes, I suppose it has made me a little more optimistic. It’s also a reminder of how fragile life is.
The film involves intense underwater scenes. What kind of training or challenges did you face while filming those sequences?
There were lots of challenges I’d never come across before on a film set. One of which was having to practically light myself with a flare during the pitch black underwater scenes. Another was having to angle the helmet in such a way that you catch my face, but not so you see the camera reflection in the visor. It made so many takes of backbreaking work unusable. That can be quite demoralising when you’re tired, but we had a fantastic communicative crew who helped us through it.
What was it like working alongside co-stars Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu in such a tense and confined setting?
It was a dream! I’ve been lucky enough to work with lots of fantastic co-stars in my career and these two fit nicely on that list. It’s a pleasure and a luxury to be able to rely on such great scene partners and also have a really good laugh while doing it. So much so we hung out a lot off-set too!
Director Alex Parkinson previously co-directed a documentary on the same subject. How did his experience with the real event shape his direction in this narrative film?
Alex is an expert on this story. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew more about what happened than the people involved in the accident! His attention to detail and his patience was something that gave us great confidence and for this reason I can’t wait to see the next thing he makes!
The film delves deep into themes of survival and human resilience. How did you emotionally navigate these themes during filming?
I relied hugely on the creative people around me throughout shooting. I was also able to ask Chris some pretty intense questions which he answered frankly and with great emotional detail. It was then my job to do all of that justice on the day. It also helped massively to do all the diving for real. It allowed me to dive much deeper into Chris’ emotional state (if you’ll pardon the pun).
Considering the film’s setting in the North Sea, how did the filming locations and conditions contribute to the authenticity of the story?
We filmed at night in a big tank in Malta. A little warmer than the North Sea, but still pitch black and deep down. It played a huge role in ensuring the film felt claustrophobic and intense. You can’t fake the way the body moves in the water, so although it complicated certain aspects of the filming process, it really helped us achieve authenticity.
Is there a particular scene in ‘Last Breath’ that challenged you the most, either physically or emotionally?
Definitely the scene where Chris is coming to terms with and accepting his fate. It’s a strange headspace to sit in for so long. There were also technical lighting and framing challenges to contend with due to the location and plot. It’s hard to be told after a long take of giving it your all that the camera didn’t capture your performance because you haven’t lifted a light close enough to your face! Luckily the team were extremely communicative and articulate when directing me so we got there in the end. All in all it was a great challenge and one I won’t forget in a hurry.
full look. Valentino
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shirt. Saint Laurent
full look. Valentino
opposite
shirt. Saint Laurent
