Michael Cimino is a self-proclaimed car buff both on and off the screen. Not only does he lead the cast of the new high-octane coming-of-age series Motorheads, but the US actor also boasts a collection of ten classic cars – and something tells us he’s not stopping there. So when he was handed the script for the show, he knew it was one for him. A U-turn on the traditional high school drama, Motorheads trades suburban angst for oil-stained rebellion. Grit under the nails. Grease in the lungs. Cimino stars as Zac Torres, a teenager who relocates to Pennsylvania with his twin sibling and mother to reconnect with his estranged father – a legendary street racer whom Zac is determined to follow in the tire tracks of. And then there’s Cimino’s role in the cinematic adaptation of horror PlayStation game Until Dawn, following a group of friends stuck in a time loop with only one aim: survival.

Alex James Taylor: Hey, Michael! Let’s start with Motorheads. What initially drew you to the role?
Michael Cimino: Honestly, it’s been a dream of mine to combine my passions for acting and motorsports, but projects like this haven’t really come up for me until now. Once I read the script, I knew that it had to be me. My passion for cars and motorsports has always been strong, and it’s led me to this. I’m so grateful.

AJT: The show’s set in a high school, but it’s not your typical teen drama – what makes Motorheads stand out?
MC: Besides the obvious excitement of the cars and racing, I think this show has a strong emotional throughline. It’s all about stepping into your own, experiencing all of life’s firsts, making mistakes, and learning from them. Motorheads has dynamic characters and deep backstories – also the plot line of the show just keeps you hooked and makes you smile from excitement.

“My passion for cars and motorsports has always been strong…”

AJT: Did you find any similarities with your own youth? You were born in Las Vegas, which must be a wild place to grow up.
MC: Growing up in Vegas had a weirdly small-town vibe for how big it was. But in most ways, growing up in Vegas is probably its own experience in itself. It was something I wasn’t really proud of until I got older and realised how many cool unique experiences I had because I grew up out there.

AJT: There’s a heavy emphasis on car culture – you must have connected to that.
MC: Majorly! I’ve loved cars for as long as I can remember. It’s not only a personal passion of mine, but it’s something my whole family is into. It feels like that passion has been passed down through the generations.

AJT: What car do you currently own? And what car would you love to own one day? 
MC: I own a 2024 Ram 3500, 2020 Toyota 4 runner, 2002 Mazda Miata, 1999 Toyota Mark 2, 1992 Mazda Miata, 1990 Lincoln Mark 7, 1990 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Chevy Camaro, 1983 Austin Mini and a 1972 Datsun 240z. I need to own less cars before I worry about getting any more! [laughs]

AJT: Do you have a favourite car-related film?
MC: Fast and Furious was my favourite when I was growing up, but I do have to say The Italian Job is incredible.

AJT: How did you prepare for the more mechanical or adrenaline-fueled aspects of the show? Do you have any behind-the-scenes stories from training or filming?
MC: The best thing I did was try to re-understand that feeling of excitement when you go fast, do a trick in a car, or witness a race. I went to a stunt driving school, and I feel like that experience taught me so much about the confidence and calmness you need to have behind the wheel.

AJT: You’re also making and releasing music – when did you begin playing music?
MC: One of my first childhood memories was sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car and telling them that when I grew up, I was going to be a rockstar. Obviously, I fell into film and TV, which I am so passionate about, but it’s very cool that I can now pursue all of my passions.   

AJT: What’s your aim with music and how do you find the balance between your passions?
MC: I think my aim as an artist in general is to make people feel seen. I hope that people feel that through my music. As far as balance goes, I think it’s beautiful because I never have to limit my creative expression. It ebbs and flows. When I’m filming, I have less time to make music, but when I’m not, I have all of the time in the world to make as much music as I want. 

“One of my first childhood memories was sitting in the backseat of my parents’ car and telling them that when I grew up, I was going to be a rockstar.”

AJT: Who are your musical inspirations, and who would you love to collaborate with?
MC: I pull inspiration from so many different places, a lot of them being r&b, for sure. As a kid though, my biggest inspo was Bruno Mars, so it would be a dream to make a song with him one day. Outside of him, I’d really love to collab with more Latin artists. And I have a feeling that will happen in due time.

AJT: Switching to Until Dawn, this one’s more horror-survival. How does it compare to anything you’ve done before?
MC: Oh man, the filming process was a lot like the film we were making. We hit so many road bumps throughout the course of filming, and we just kept coming back for more. I really tip my hat to our producers and director because no matter what hurdles we faced, we kept pushing and made it happen. Until Dawn was a completely unique experience – I don’t think I’ll ever have another one quite like it. 

AJT: Games and film are blending more and more – did you approach this role any differently knowing the story’s interactive roots?
MC: I’ve been realising I never approach any project exactly the same. For this one in particular, my prep had a lot to do with making deep emotional connections to the other characters so that there was a strong throughline. 

Motorheads is out now on Amazon Prime Video.

Hair Adam Markarian using Oribe.