Part Swedish-Japanese with German and Cherokee ancestral roots, American actor Darren Barnet looks so good he was judged for it at one point in his life. “I definitely faced a kind of, you know, ‘a book judged by its cover’ syndrome in high school,” shares Barnet in an interview with Page Six earlier this August. With perfectly coiffed curls, a boyish demeanour and a smouldering gaze all packed into a chiselled physique (in case you are wondering, check out Never Have I Ever), one is bound to have some bullets of envy coming his way.

Darren Barnet is wearing a Louis Vuitton Wool coat, wool pants, cotton shirt, wool-blend turtleneck knit sweater, LV Trainer leather and rubber sneakers.

Barnet is set to reprise his role as Paxton Hall- Yoshida, the love interest of the show’s lead Devi Vishwakumar as the Netflix coming-of-age comedy-drama has been officially renewed for a third season. Here is an interesting trivia about Hall-Yoshida — “Yoshida” was added to the character’s original “ Paxton Hall” name after the creators of the show Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher learned about Barnet’s Japanese descent.

Since the drama’s pilot, in which Barnet has had less than a handful of lines (we counted), he has gone on to score roles in the animated Netflix Film The Summit of the Gods as a voice actor and the recently aired Christmas rom-com Love Hard. We speak to the Men’s Folio December/January ‘22 cover star about the time ahead.

Darren Barnet is wearing a Prada Cotton jacket, cotton shirt with embellished collar and a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 in stainless steel with integrated bracelet.

How are you spending your time these days — are there hobbies or interests or is much of your time devoted to work?
I recently fell in love with surfing and fell back in love with boxing. I’m also brushing up on my Japanese.

Thanksgiving marks the start of the festive season, what are you most appreciate of this year?
Doing what I love and hopefully providing joy to people who need it. I’m also concerned about the health and well-being of my family and my new nephew, Greyson.

Darren Barnet is wearing a Louis Vuitton Wool jacket and pants.

Have your opinions about the Christmas rom-com genre changed now that you’ve acted in one?
Nope, not really.

What is your favourite Christmas movie other than Die Hard?
The Holiday.

Darren Barnet is wearing a Bottega Veneta Wool coat, wool sweater, wool pants and a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 in stainless steel with integrated bracelet.

Beyond the heartwarming love plot and several tear- jerking moments (Josh’s grandpa for example), Love Hard addresses aspects of toxic masculinity (men have to look a certain way to be “swiped” or enjoy “tough” activities) and stereotyping asians. What are your views given how real these struggles are for some men?
I think social media and dating apps can be extremely poisonous if you allow them to be. Just always be mindful that people only post the “exclamation” points of their life online. Never compare yourself and love yourself entirely. Period.

We can’t leave out your breakout show Never Have I Ever. How has the entire experience been for you now that a new season is confirmed?
I’m currently in my trailer answering these questions. I’m beyond grateful to be here.

Darren Barnet is wearing a Bottega Veneta Wool coat, wool sweater and wool pants.

What are you looking forward to and what can fans of the series expect in the new season?
All the laughter and tears with an entirely new twist.