Lahanas’ skill set is vast. He is fluent in Greek, Italian, and English and adept at learning others quickly. Beyond his affinity for learning languages, he excels at kickboxing, CrossFit, Greek traditional dance, modern dance and more. Most importantly, however, Lahanas is an experienced actor in theatre, film, and television. Unsurprisingly, his talents have been requested for several projects, including the largely successful Greek television series, I Have a Secret.
The series, which aired on the major Greek television network, Alpha TV, dramatizes the life of one the biggest female film stars in the history of Greek Cinema, Aliki Vougiouklaki, who is played by well-known actress Katerina Papoutsaki. For the show, Lahanas earned himself the role of Andreas Barkoulis, with whom Vougiouklaki has a romantic love affair. When it came time to cast the part of Barkoulis, the series’ director, Stratos Markidis, already had Lahanas in mind. The two partnered previously on the largely successful television show, The Disappearance. Markidis contacted Lahanas directly and was ecstatic when Lahanas agreed to join the project.
According to Lahanas, the show holds a particular significance in his expansive career. Given the fact that the story he and Papoutsaki were playing is true, he felt all the more inclined to play his character right. Both Aliki Vougiouklaki and Andreas Barkoulis were famous stars in the 60s and Lahanas grew up knowing and admiring them. He felt that he had a duty to portray the story as accurately and effectively as possible. He diligently researched the story and the stars themselves so that he could truly understand them and how they would interact with each other. He dedicated himself to ensuring that he knew exactly who Barkoulis was and how he could bring justice to his legacy. If not for Lahanas’ wholehearted commitment to the role, it is hard to imagine that the series would’ve been as adored by its audience as it was.
“It was an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to play a character with such significance. He was extremely popular during his time not only for his talent, but also for his charming demeanour around women. His significance in Greek film and television and his popularity amongst his audiences made it very important for me to grasp every aspect of his personality on and off camera. I was determined to know every little detail like the back of my hand,” remarked Lahanas.
This level of commitment is not unheard of for an actor like Lahanas, for his work is more than just a job. He lives his roles, he breathes for them and he will go to great lengths to ensure that he produces nothing but the best for his viewers. His immersion in the film industry, both as a consumer and a creator pushed him to delve deeper than ever before into this role. It wasn’t about a pay check for Lahanas, it was about the honor of bringing Barkoulis back to life on screen. He loved the idea that he could help the people of Greece to relive this iconic era of film and he got to do so alongside popular, modern-day film stars. He thrived on the unique opportunity to travel back and forth in time, experiencing what it may have been like to be an actor on such a grand scale in the 60s. He was enthralled with the fashion, the style, the cars, and more. It was a true highlight of his career and his determination to re-awaken this story is what made the show the success that it is.
For a director like Markidis, this type of dedication and effort is what makes Lahanas a dream to work with. “I have had the pleasure of working with Konstadinos on more than one occasion. When you work with him, you know that things are going to be done exactly as you ask and he is going to exceed your expectations. His strongest quality, however, is his ability to truly adapt to every role,” said Markidis.
As Lahanas continues to grow and develop as both an actor and an individual, he finds himself falling in love with his work again and again. Even today, after nine years of being an actor, he can’t quite put his finger on the moment that sparked his interest to start. He is simply fortunate that something did because he has found his reason to come to work every day and to thoroughly enjoy it.
“I suppose the need to express my inner feelings is what motivated me to start acting and it has been my passion and my pleasure ever since,” concluded Lahanas.