Chillin’ with Konstantin Lavysh

Accomplished and versatile television and film actor Konstantin Lavysh is captivating audiences in the new AT&T Audience Network drama series Ice (airs on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on AT&T’s Audience Network), directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Magnificent Seven) and written and executive produced by Robert Munic.

Ice is a high-impact, serialized crime drama that follows the Green family as they plunge into the underbelly of the Los Angeles diamond trade. Konstantin starts opposite Cam Gigandet aa Alexi Yakenev, a pivotal character with a criminal history. Jake (Gigandet) and Freddy (Jeremy Sisto) are half-brothers brought together by their father Isaac (Raymond Barry), the patriarch behind G&G Diamonds, and their uncle Cam (Ray Winstone).

After wildcard Freddy kills a prominent diamond dealer, his brother Jake must bail him out and save the family business from a crime lord within the trade (Judith Shekoni). Jake must endure all of this while maneuvering amongst jewelry thugs, blood diamond deals, false certificates, the Feds, and Pieter Van De Bruin (Donald Sutherland), a ruthless Afrikaner diamond merchant who now heads up an Antwerp-based diamond cartel

Here’s what Konstantin tells Chilled about his upcoming projects, his love of food, and his tendency to mix it up with friends.

Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on or have coming up.

There are a few I cannot talk about, unfortunately. These days, the rules of secrecy around some shows are just very strict. But Ice is still on and not over! Hoping for the second season, as are many of our viewers. I’m working on a few amazing projects that are in development; one is secret and the other one is Karaganda, a feature film family saga about a Russian criminal empire.

With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your down time?

I try to travel as much as I can, motorbike, car, plane, whatever. I’m a frequent reader and always find time to catch up on new TV series and movies.

When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

I love food, so I enjoy a variety of places. I love sushi. There’s a great little place I frequent in Sherman Oaks, run by an older chef. Another favorite of mine is Italian, which I loved before my Italian-American wife was in the picture. There’s a seafood restaurant in Redondo called Live Seafood, with all the shellfish, but nothing beats a good steak.

What types of dishes do you usually order?

I try my best to be good with the separation of carbs and proteins. Meat or fish with veggies or pasta and bread. I just like to eat, so if I’m in a vegan restaurant or in a new place, I always find cool, interesting dishes. My favorites include eggs, steak, bacon, and shrimp.

Do you cook?

I cook a lot and I love it. It’s therapeutic, fun, and fulfilling. I enjoy the kitchen, and improvise rather than use recipes. I have an amazing coal grill (thank you to my dear wife), but I mostly cook in the kitchen. Sautéed veggie ragu with baked bass, beef or pork roast, cabbage pie, salads, you name it!

What types of drinks do you order when out?

I like various types of drinks, depending on the situations. Vodka shots, if I’m at a Russian party with a huge table full of pickles and meats and veggies. In an Irish pub, I tend to choose Guinness and Jameson. At a proper establishment, a Beefeater martini, dirty. Wine with food, red bold are usually the picks (old world or new, from Brunello and Amarone to Medoc to Cab and Old Vine Zin for dessert). You could find me frequently enjoying a lager, or a single malt. In England, I love going to local pubs, with the local real ales, since I’m a huge fan.

Do you prepare drinks at home?

I do. I usually go simple, but I tend to be creative with my mixology when guests come over. Over the years, I found that simple Glenmorangie, with a splash of water, is the perfect drink. A fun one for the summer is a spritzer of sorts with gin, basil, cucumber, lime, and soda. In the winter I enjoy heavier drinks with a whiskey base.

Do you own a home bar?

A small version of one, yes. I’m definitely looking forward to upgrading one day, and I am definitely a connoisseur when it comes to all things bar related.

What is it stocked with?

We always keep a few bottles of red (Meritage or Zin) and a scotch. Gin is a frequent guest, as well as a Bulleit or some other bourbon.

What would your dream home bar look like?

What I want to have, eventually, is a proper bar with a beer tap and a real ale tap, with a proper amount of alcohol to mix, as well as a wine fridge and a scotch collection.

What is your favorite drink/cocktail?

My favorite to drink is a gin Martini; shaken, not stirred. My specialty to make is my wife’s favorite: bourbon, crushed dark cherries (frozen okay), fresh mint, splash bitters, splash balsam, fresh lime, over crushed ice with a splash of soda.

Have you ever been a bartender?

Yes, I have been at several places; a waiter, too, at Italian restaurants. Bartending is a gig I always enjoyed. I love mixing, and the finesse of the beverages has such an effect on people. Everyone can enjoy a specific beverage, depending on their mood, and to be able to guess their preferences correctly has always been such a delight.

View the official trailer for Ice HERE.