toby sandmand

In this week’s issue of PEOPLE,The Gameactor opens up about his past as a professional track athlete — and why he chose to retire from the sport and pursue something completely different.

“I fell out of love with the sport and this huge void sort of arose,” says Sandeman, who was among the top five track stars of the world at the time. “For me, I didn’t know what I was going to do in my life. I thought that I was going to just go out there and have to find a job and make my way in the world.”

Sandeman, who currently portrays football star Garret Evans on the Paramount+ series, says he “fell into acting” after taking his brother to an acting class.

“The teacher wouldn’t let me sit out,” says Sandeman. “I think it was just improving a scene, but it was fun, and that’s all it was at that time. There was no awakening or anything like that. But I thought it was interesting, and I went back to that class.”

toby sandmand

From there, Sandeman attended an acting school in New York and suddenly caught the acting “bug.”

After booking his first role onThe RoyalsalongsideElizabeth Hurley, Sandeman says he felt “such a high.”

toby sandmand

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Though Sandeman has plenty of goals for the future — including becoming the first Black James Bond! — for now, he’s grateful for the present.

“I’m someone that tries to enjoy each and not really compare it, I just live for what this is right now,” he says.

The Gameairs Thursdays on Paramount+.

source: people.com