Will Sharpe Jokes Unlike His Artist Character in “In Waves”, His Art ‘Looks Like Somebody Is Going Through Psychosis’ (Exclusive)

**Will Sharpe Lends His Voice to Teen Artist in New Animated Film ‘In Waves’**

Will Sharpe, celebrated for his role in the hit series *The White Lotus*, takes on a new challenge in the realm of voice acting. He voices AJ, a teenage artist, in the animated movie *In Waves*, which made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14. The highly anticipated film is set to be released on Netflix on December 11.

Directed by Phuong Mai Nguyen, *In Waves* follows AJ as he navigates the complexities of life and love, particularly when his love interest, Kristen, played by Stephanie Hsu, falls seriously ill. This poignant narrative intertwines themes of youth, creativity, and emotional resilience.

Sharpe expressed admiration for the film’s animation team, praising their ability to breathe life into both the characters and the romantic storyline. He noted how critical their artistry was in conveying the subtleties of emotions throughout the film, which can often be challenging in animated features.

Despite AJ being a skilled artist in the film—often creating flip books inspired by his experiences surfing in Los Angeles alongside Kristen—Sharpe humorously acknowledges that his own artistic abilities are far from refined. “I mean, I can draw in my own way, but it looks like somebody going through psychosis,” he said with a laugh. “If you like it, then it works, but it’s quite specific.”

Sharpe, who shares two children with fellow actress Sophia Di Martino, enjoys drawing with his kids. While he maintains a passion for visual art and graphic novels, he admits his drawing style lacks the precision he admires in others. “I can’t do photographic representations; it’s more like an interpretation,” he commented. His enthusiasm for the medium is evident, and he cherishes the moments spent creating art with his family.

Reflecting on the experience of working on *In Waves*, Sharpe noted the similarities between voice acting for animation and filming live-action scenes. “You’re still trying to feel your way through the scenes and playing around with it,” he observed, highlighting the collaborative nature of the creative process. His contributions, alongside Hsu’s, served to enhance the emotional depth initially established by the animators.

Nguyen echoed Sharpe’s sentiments regarding the pivotal role of animation in expressing complex emotions. She explained that capturing the feeling of falling in love—a multifaceted experience—was one of her key challenges in crafting the film. The director aimed for a visual representation that felt genuine and relatable, despite its animated format.

The collaboration between Sharpe, Nguyen, and the animation team ultimately aims to deliver a heartfelt story that resonates with audiences, transcending the traditional boundaries of animated films. As *In Waves* prepares for its Netflix premiere, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of animation in storytelling.

With its heartfelt narrative and stunning visuals, *In Waves* promises to engage viewers of all ages. Fans of Will Sharpe and newcomers to the genre alike can look forward to the film’s release, which seeks to explore the intertwining of art, love, and the challenges of youth.

As December approaches, excitement builds for the film’s streaming debut on Netflix, marking what is sure to be a significant addition to the animated landscape.