*When Abubakar Salim first stepped into the recording booth to voice Charming in “The Sisters Grimm” on Apple TV+, the actor knew he needed to leave behind every expectation attached to the legendary fairy-tale prince.
“I had a lot of preconceptions and thoughts of how to kind of approach this character,” he said. “I remember actively going like, okay, come in with these thoughts, but then throw it away.”
For Salim, honoring the creative team’s vision meant starting from scratch. “You have to come in as a blank slate,” he explained. “What are the words telling me? What are the words sharing with me? And building from there.”
That openness allowed him to uncover the nuances beneath the title. “However, the aspects when it came to reading what this character was and who they were and where they were coming from. The real enticing aspect of them was their vulnerability. They know who they are and what they represent. And having to live up to that standard, that responsibility, was fascinating to play.”
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It was this balance of confidence and uncertainty that gave his portrayal emotional weight. “A lot of the Charmings that you see, they’re Prince Charming by name, never necessarily by title. Whereas this is your name and title,” he added.
In the world of “The Sisters Grimm,” where fantasy meets family, Salim saw an opportunity to connect Charming’s outer strength with his inner struggles. “Especially when it comes to family, because you can’t really hide from family,” he said. “You’re almost working extra hard to hide yourself.”
His take on the character challenges the image of the flawless hero. “It’s okay to not know what the hell is going on or what you’re doing,” he noted. “It’s all about teamwork rather than necessarily being the leader.”
Ultimately, Salim hopes audiences—both young and old—see themselves in Charming’s journey. “We’re all trying to figure things out, fix things, and you don’t have to carry that upon your shoulders all the time. It’s okay to not be okay.”
For him, that message extends beyond the character’s royal duties. “I think that’s key,” Salim added. “Especially when it comes to heroes of stories, you always think that they know the answers. But actually, sometimes they don’t.”
With “The Sisters Grimm,” Salim breathes life into a character audiences thought they already knew, showing that even a Prince Charming can learn to be human.
Watch our full conversation with Abubakar Salim below.
“The Sisters Grimm” is now streaming on Apple TV+.
*This interview was edited for length and clarity.
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