Former EastEnders star talks new manosphere play: “We’re not really doing anything to save young minds”

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Danny Hatchard, who played a role on EastEnders and has 133,000 followers on both Instagram and TikTok, is speaking out about the potential downsides of social media.

I’ve been following this actor since he left EastEnders back in 2020, and it’s been amazing to see how popular he’s become online! He’s really built a following sharing his style and fashion tips, which I love. But what I really admire is how mindful he is about social media – he’s said himself that he wants to use it, rather than letting it control him, and that’s a really smart way to look at it.

This February, actor Hatchard will be performing in the UK premiere of “Top Gs Like Me,” a new play that explores how social media algorithms affect young people, especially young men.

Similar to the popular series Adolescence, this show explores how the internet and certain male personalities can impact young people, creating confusion especially during difficult times. It particularly focuses on young men who may not have strong male role models in their lives.

When Hatchard mentions “male figures,” he’s talking about people like Andrew Tate, who are popular online. His character in the play, Hugo Bang, is heavily influenced by this type of influencer, and Hatchard describes Hugo as someone who is dangerous, yet charismatic and easily admired.

He explained that Hugo is essentially taking the place of positive male figures, and creating what seems like a protected environment – but it turns out isn’t. He also pointed out that people like Andrew Tate, with their huge social media followings, are incredibly skilled at marketing.

These individuals prioritize their own interests and don’t take proper responsibility for the well-being of young people who are at risk.

The EastEnders actor explained he understands why young people are drawn to these kinds of personalities. He pointed out that we’re the first generation to deal with this new phenomenon – it’s never happened before – and we aren’t doing enough to protect people’s mental wellbeing, not just young people, but adults too who are searching for guidance.

We’re constantly bombarded with messages telling us what to buy, what to sell, and that we’re not good enough unless we achieve certain things. There’s this huge pressure, especially on young people, to become wealthy quickly and retire young. It’s incredibly unhealthy and puts a lot of unnecessary stress on them.

To connect with younger audiences, Royal & Derngate is offering special performances just for schools. Hatchard hopes the show will have a positive effect on even a few children.

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To maintain viewers’ interest, he explained, humor is essential. While his previous drama, Adolescence, was quite serious, ‘Top Gs Like Me’ offers a much more satirical and comedic approach to the same topic.

Hugo embodies the chaotic spirit of the internet, showing that sheer confidence can make people believe almost anything. The best way to counter this is to simply laugh it off.

It’s funny how easily things can go wrong. If we overwhelm the audience with how terrible the internet can be, they’ll tune out quickly. We want them to enjoy the experience, because ultimately, this play is meant to be uplifting.

When and where can I see Danny Hatchard on stage?

You can see ‘Top Gs Like Me’ at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton from February 23rd to March 7th, 2026. Tickets are available on the theatre’s website.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-02-20 18:11