It’s good to be Ed Speleers! The Downton Abbey star is about to go BIG. This busy chap knew acting was his thing at the age of 10 when he played Puck in a school production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The 26-year old can soon be seen in the BBC 2 adaption of Wolf Hall. The series is based on Dame Hilary’s Booker Prize-winning fictional accounts of Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power in the court of Henry VIII.
What got you interesting in acting in the first place?
I grew up with older brothers so I was shown movies that were probably too old for my viewing age and introduced to a lot of Scorsese and Tarantino quite early on, so pictures like Pulp Fiction and Goodfellas and Tony Scott’s True Romance. In hindsight, I didn’t understand everything that was going on in them at the time, but these films certainly provoked an early curiosity and interest in the film industry. My mum was definitely influential when it came to introducing me to actors that she was mad about, the likes of Robert De Niro, Paul Newman and Albert Finney. I don’t know if I can necessarily credit Paul Newman as an inspiration for me wanting to act per se, but he’s absolutely up there as one of my favourite actors and certainly an inspiration now.
Acting in movies, television or stage, which do you prefer?
I’ve never performed a play and would love to take the leap if someone will have me but I enjoy acting in whatever form that takes. I’ve been privileged enough to work with some wonderful people in the industry and I just want that to continue in any form possible, whether that be on a film set or on a stage.
What would be your dream project?
To be honest, I am happy trying new things out, working with new people all the time and trying and learn as much as possible, to grow and enjoy the work.
You seem more concerned with exploring genres and growing as an actor than chasing hit projects – how do you choose a role and what do you look out for?
For me, it always has to start with the script. I need to see something that I can play with, see scope for me doing something that’s going to excite me and that will also challenge me. Those challenges can come in many forms whether it’s the preparation of a role, the physical side to shooting it or even the technical aspects to filming a project.
In your down time you’ve run a marathon and support some great causes, this shows a committed and altruistic side of you. How did the marathon come about and how do you choose which charities to support?
I liked running and it seemed like a good idea to set a personal goal and at the same time raise money for charities. I’ve put my focus onto some smaller charities such as Somerset Cancer Care for example, where so many people work tirelessly for others. They’re such a lovely group of people, the staff, volunteers and patients there. So any chance I get to help them by running a few miles is incomparable to what some of those people go through.
What is next, do you have any exciting projects in the pipeline?
I’ve been very lucky to work with some top drawer people this year. I started with Downton Abbey and then I went on to shoot an indie film called Remainder with Tom Sturridge earlier this year, directed by a contemporary video artist called Omer Fast. I have just finished working with Mark Rylance shooting the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which was an absolute honour and I am currently shooting Through The Looking Glass, the sequel to the live action reboot of Alice In Wonderland, which has been a real pleasure to work on.
Interview & photography by Andrea Vecchiato
Grooming by Amanda Bell
Styling by Crystal DeRoche
Photographer assistant: Sonny McCartney & Shara White
Clothes: shirt by Paul & Joe – shirt by All Saints, trousers by Edwin, shoes by Clae – shirt by Paul & Joe, jeans by Element.
Shot on location at The Star of Kings, in King’s Cross.