Moe Bar-El: I Took My Training To The Next Level For Alien: Earth

Trailing behind Prometheus (2012), Alien: Covenant (2017) and Alien: Romulus (2024), the premiere of Alien: Earth on Disney+ later this week confirms it: the Alien franchise is well and truly back. Dating back to 1979 when Sigourney Weaver starred in the original sci-fi horror flick, prequel Alien: Earth is set two years before the original film in 2120, and promises to inject some new life into the universe. But maybe we’re biased: a whole host of British actors are set to star, including Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Kit Young, Lily Newmark, Babou Ceesay and Moe Bar-El, who you might recognise from The Return (2024). Joining the cast as soldier Rashidi, we caught up with Moe to hear all about it.

But first, here’s the chilling trailer…

Interview: Moe Bar-El On Alien: Earth

Hi Moe, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is great! I always try to practice gratitude, but I truly have so many things to be grateful for at this moment in my life. 

You are about to star in sci-fi thriller Alien: Earth. Can you give us an elevator pitch for the series?

We’re living in the future, specifically the year 2120. There are five big corporations running everything. The first synthetic human has just been created (human consciousness in a robot body, played by the incredible Sydney Chandler) and the cherry on top, a massive spaceship belonging to one of the corporations has just crashed onto Earth carrying five different creatures that have been collected from outer space. What could possibly go wrong? 

You play Rashidi. Tell us about him and his arc across the series.

Rashidi is a tactical soldier for Prodigy. He and his team are summoned to go on a search and rescue mission when the Yutani spaceship crashes onto earth. They’ve no idea what they’re about to discover, which could possibly alter not just their lives but everyone else on this planet. 

What was it like playing him?

I’m already into my health and fitness quite a bit, but Rashidi is a tactical soldier so I kind of took my training to the next level for this role. I wanted him to look physically capable of being able to protect himself and his team. So a lot more weights and cardio, which unfortunately meant a lot fewer almond croissants. 

What was filming like?

I immediately get such strong nostalgia when I think about my time filming Alien: Earth in Thailand. The set design really was mind blowing. You can’t help but feel like a little kid every time you step into the world Noah and the rest of the team created. The attention to detail truly is a work of art. 

Also, I’m sure I can speak for most of the cast when I say that Thai people are among some of the friendliest and kindest people I’ve ever met, let alone had the privilege to work with. They made the whole experience of being on set such a joy. I’ve made some incredible memories with the cast and crew which I will forever cherish. 

Any standout moments?

It’s very hard to choose just one, but I think seeing the Xenomorph up close and personal is a moment that feels very surreal – a feeling you’re not going to get on any other set. It’s all fun and games until you see the Xeno enter the room, then you’re all tensed up and scared until you remind yourself that under the suit there’s the most chilled, kindest vegan Kiwi guy by the name of Cameron Brown. Then you’re back to fun and games again.

Did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

Minus cutting out almond croissants, we did a lot of military training throughout the shoot which was really fun to do. I got a whole new sense of appreciation for people who actually do it for a living because it’s not easy. There’s so much work that goes into just the basics, such as entering, scanning and clearing a room. It’s OK to do it in your tracksuit and a tank top in an air-conditioned studio in Thailand, but once you have all the layers and gear on and you’re running around in 38-degree heat, it’s a completely different ball game. 

Anything you’re particularly excited for fans to see?

Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to work with every cast member on this job, but I’ve just recently finished watching all eight episodes of the show, and I’m completely mind blown by the sheer talent of this cast. It’s truly something special and I’m so excited for the rest of the world to witness it for themselves. 

‘Preparing for Alien: Earth, I had to do a lot more weights and cardio, which unfortunately meant a lot fewer almond croissants.’
Photography & grooming: Stefan Bertin
Styling: Koulla Sergi

What has been your favourite project to date?

The Bureau will always have a special place in my heart as it was my first ever acting job, but Alien: Earth has entered the group chat now!

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

I recently finished working on the second season of an Apple TV show, but I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say, so I’ll stop here…

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

This is a very tough question. I’m not sure about my favourite because I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible actors. However, working with Ralph Fiennes and watching how he navigates a scene and portrays his characters with a work ethic like I’ve never seen before – that has to be up there. 

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I did a play back in 2018 called The Jungle and I got to share the stage with some of the most talented people I’ve ever had the chance to work with. I think I stole a little bit of something from almost everyone in that show. It was on that job that I learned the importance of vocal and physical warmups before a show. 

What’s your dream role?

Perhaps a Cyrus the Great biopic directed by Christopher Nolan. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. 

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I feel like I’m going through my action hero era at the moment, but I’d love to do more comedy. There’s something about being on a comedy set and someone saying or doing something funny and for the rest of the takes you’re all just trying to keep it together. It makes me feel like a teenager in school when the teachers tell you off and you and your friend next to you are fighting for your lives to not burst into laughter. 

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

This list is always changing based on where I’m at in my life or what I’ve recently watched that’s inspired me. However, and it breaks my heart to say this, but perhaps somewhere in a different lifetime or in an alternate universe, I’d get to share the stage or set with Heath Ledger and watch him work his magic. Anything that that man touched turned to gold. 

Do you get to spend much time at home, and what are your favourite pastimes when you’re not working?

I’m a bit of a coffee snob and one of my favourite things to do is discover new coffee shops – either sitting outside on a nice sunny day with a good fiction book or just grabbing a takeaway oat flat white and going for a walk in the park with some friends. In fact, I’m writing this paragraph right now as I sit in a cafe in Marylebone on a beautiful sunny Sunday. 

I’ve also recently become a cat dad to a beautiful British shorthair, so currently spending time with him at home seems to be my favourite pastime. 

How can we all live a little bit better?

I know it sounds cliche, but I don’t think you can go wrong with the fundamentals. Drink water, get good sleep, eat a clean diet, exercise and look after your mental health. But perhaps more importantly just be a good person. I’m a big believer in karma. 

Moe Bar-El Recommends…

I’m currently watching… My Hero Academia   

What I’m reading… Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu 

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Biased but Alien: Earth 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey 

Favourite film of all time… Gladiator (the original) 

Favourite song of all time… ‘Arrival of the birds’ by Cinematic Orchestra 

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Amr Diab 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Almond croissants 

Cultural guilty pleasure… Every time Bieber drops a new album.

Moe Bar-El stars as Rashidi in FX’s Alien: Earth, premiering internationally on Disney+ on Wednesday 13 August 2025.