Aaron Pierre: Don’t allow anybody else to put limitations on you

British actor Aaron Pierre has said he has had too many moments of self-doubt throughout his career but urged people not to “allow anybody else to put limitations on you”.

Pierre, 32, known for Rebel Ridge, stars in the latest DC Studios series Lanterns alongside Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler and Trainspotting actress Kelly Macdonald.

The series follows intergalactic cops, veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Chandler) who is tasked with training his reluctant new partner John Stewart (Pierre), as they investigate a murder that spirals into a dangerous conspiracy.

At the centre of the story is the powerful Green Lantern ring which grants the wearer a wealth of powers which are enabled by one’s willpower and weakened by self-doubt.

Speaking to the Press Association, Pierre said: “For me personally I have had many moments of doubting myself, doubting my capacity, doubting my abilities.

“Too many to count.

“But I try and be an alchemist of some description, and I try and transform that into something that will propel me forward, versus something that will prohibit me.”

He added that it had taken him years to develop that perspective and that he was “very grateful” for it.

He said: “Don’t allow anybody else to put limitations on you.

“If there are any limitations on you, let those only be limitations that you put on yourself.

“Don’t let anybody impose their limitations on you.”

(left to right) Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald and Kyle Chandler (Ian West/PA)

PA Wire

He emphasised the importance of focusing on your own journey and to “be like a horse with blinders on”.

He said: “A lot of people may have a considerable amount to say about what you can and can’t do. You have to really ignore that.”

Pierre said stepping into the DC franchise came with a number of “healthy challenges”.

“They all are birthed from the magnitude of the gift and the opportunity that it is to be part of this universe,” he said.

“Those challenges are you wanting to get it right, you wanting to serve the character appropriately, serve the universe appropriately, pour yourself into it, and give your best.

“So, all very healthy challenges that I was very excited to embark on the task of contending with and hopefully achieving.

His co-star Chandler added that he dealt with self-doubt “every single day” and that therapy was one way to help overcome it.

He added: “Some days you feel good, some days you don’t. This job right here is a dream job. This is a spectacular job.

“They’re not all like this.

“Doubt usually comes from shows where it’s a different level of work.”