“It’s a period piece like Dickens”

“It’s a period piece like Dickens”

As a long-time admirer and follower of David Tennant’s illustrious career, I must say that his latest role in “Rivals” has left me utterly captivated. From the moment I laid eyes on the enigmatic Tony Baddingham, I was hooked, much like a fish on a line, dangling before the mighty Thames.


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What was the appeal of Rivals?

From the outset, before I even got a chance to glance at the script, my wife Georgia immediately identified the title, predicting my involvement in it. Any semblance of choice was swiftly eliminated for me. She exhibited a strong emotional response towards it and has since been an ardent supporter of the entire endeavor.

Did a little part of you want to play Rupert Campbell-Black?

It didn’t really matter who I played. But I couldn’t compete with Alex for Rupert. I think Lord Tony Baddingham is a more natural fit for me.

Tony is the resident baddie. Do you have any sympathy for him?

From my perspective as an avid reader, I must admit that Tony’s actions might seem questionable from a moral standpoint, but when you look deeper, it becomes clear that he’s merely doing whatever it takes to make it through life. Some of his choices may not be morally robust, yet they are understandable given his background, often referred to as “Daddy issues.

Would these characters be believable in a more modern setting?

Indeed, they’re deeply rooted in the societal norms and political climate of that particular time period. That epoch was characterized by an abundance of indulgence; Margaret Thatcher famously declared “there is no such thing as society.” This mindset significantly influenced people’s thoughts and behaviors, with some individuals eagerly adopting it and even immersing themselves in it. These characters find themselves navigating within this morass of ideology.

The big battle in Rivals is to win a TV franchise. Is the story still relevant?

Currently, we’re not entirely grasping its intricacies yet. When I initially went through the texts, a question crossed my mind: “Will the significance of this become clear?” However, regardless of what they’re contending for, their characters are what truly matter – that essence fuels them, and it gives an authentic and human feel.

What kind of portrait of 1980s England do we see in Rivals?

Jilly Cooper is a great chronicler of the human condition. It’s a period piece like a Dickens drama. You can marvel at how different some things were and how similar other things were. That’s part of the joy.

What did you love most about the 1980s?

I’ve found myself falling in love with the music all over again. As a teenager back then, certain songs weren’t considered trendy. Yet, I find that some of them have an amazing beat.

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2024-10-09 19:06