As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for gritty, emotionally-charged dramas, I must say that Oliver Huntingdon’s portrayal of Ryan Bottomley in Sherwood is nothing short of captivating. The depth and complexity he infuses into this character, who could easily have been reduced to a one-dimensional thug, is truly commendable.
In the second series of the BBC crime show titled “Sherwood,” a fierce act of aggression sets off a complex chain of retaliation, causing chaos and destruction within a local Nottingham neighborhood.
Following Ryan Bottomley’s (Oliver Huntington’s) fatal shooting of Nicky Branson, a key member of a powerful local criminal group, they vow to exact retribution for this heinous act. This revenge mission almost brings ruin upon his entire family in the process.
The performer from Happy Valley found it quite daunting to become part of the ensemble, not just because of the initial series’ triumph, but also due to the responsibility of portraying a character who might be seen as flat or underdeveloped.
He mentioned, “When you’re chosen for a show as significant as this one, there’s naturally some apprehension, particularly when portraying such a complex character. This opportunity allowed me to say, ‘There’s space here to bring a substantial character to life, but in a way that feels genuine and authentic.’
In collaboration with director Clio Barnard, Huntingdon aimed to portray Ryan as a relatable human being, highlighting that he’s a victim of a flawed system rather than just a perpetrator of the crime he committed, reducing him to merely his violent act.
He strived to make Ryan seem real, he noted. “Ryan is extremely intricate, tragically, he’s also a victim in a sense, caught up in a situation that’s beyond his control,” said the speaker. “Unfortunately, this is all too familiar for young men in modern-day Britain, who often lack proper aftercare support.
This season, some impactful moments centered around Ryan and his sibling Stephie (played by Bethany Asher). In these scenes, he strived to safeguard and care for her during his incarceration.
He found Bethany absolutely exceptional as a performer while collaborating with Asher. In fact, he had never encountered an actor quite like her in all his years of working in the industry.
“She can turn her acting skills on like that in a heartbeat, and it’s really scary, actually. She’s scarily good. She almost made me push a bit more, and then I’d push her a bit more.”
Huntingdon revealed one of his favourite scenes to film was in episode 3 when Stephie, alongside Ian St Clair (David Morrissey) and Sandy (Aisling Loftus), tell Ryan that their parents have been murdered by the Bransons.
He mentioned that the scenes were challenging to shoot, particularly the one in question. It was masterfully orchestrated by Clio, creating a unique ambiance for everyone involved. The atmosphere in the room was noticeably distinct. Everyone seemed hyper-focused and fully engaged. They were all completely immersed in their roles.
That particular scene was unlike anything I’ve encountered in my acting career so far. The dialogue seemed to resonate deeply, creating an immediate response. One person would speak, and the other would react, almost like a ping-pong match of emotions. It was incredibly intense.
According to Huntingdon, the moment Ryan goes to prison, it’s comparable to filming two entirely distinct productions, because this character finds himself in an unfamiliar position of power and must find his way through it.
Huntingdon noted that the change was significant since it was almost as if he said, ‘Whoa, wait a second! This new setting seems unfamiliar; how can he exert control here?’
The subsequent episodes were significantly more gripping since his character is no longer free. He lacks control over his situation, yet remarkably, he manages to regain some semblance of control while in prison, particularly when he’s seen orchestrating Scott Rowley.
In retrospect, it took some time for the role to be displaced from Ryan’s mind by Huntingdon.
He confessed that on certain occasions, he’d see his reflection in the mirror days after the fact and still had the same hairstyle, which would actually startle him. “It lingered in my fingernails for a while afterward,” he added.
If another season comes, Huntingdon is optimistic that Ryan may have undergone a change, having experienced the loss of his freedom and now assuming accountability for his past actions.
He pondered, ‘If such an event were to occur, it should demonstrate transformation and progress.’ It’d be great to imagine he landed a good job and has a wonderful partner. I don’t feel it would be just for that young man if his story didn’t involve any change or development.
All episodes of Sherwood are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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2024-09-11 13:04