Ben Whishaw on Black Doves: “A queer assassin had a certain interest for me”

As a cinephile who cherishes the rich tapestry of cinematic talent, I must say Ben Whishaw stands out as one of the most captivating and versatile actors of our time. His ability to breathe life into a wide array of characters, from John Keats to Q, is truly remarkable. Yet, it’s his genuine, down-to-earth demeanor that makes him all the more endearing.

He may have played Q, the hi-tech briefing Quarter-master of 007, with a boffin-like knowledge of life-saving gadgets that is legendary, but Ben Whishaw himself is the polar opposite. We are discussing how ageing it is when one’s fingers don’t race swiftly over the keyboard of a mobile phone. How quick are his? “I can do it quite fast, but if I look at my niece and nephew, they’re on a whole other level of aptitude.”

It seems he’s not particularly tech-savvy then? “Indeed,” he admits with a hint of regret. “Truth be told, I struggle quite a bit with technology.” Admittedly, it does seem to bother him somewhat, though not consistently. He confesses that at times, he feels less than adequate in this area and wishes he had a better handle on things.

Whishaw displays a soft and captivating acting talent with an impressive versatility. He subtly conveys depth in his performances, whether portraying the sorrowful young poet John Keats in Bright Star under Jane Campion’s direction or delivering a mesmerizing, multifaceted interpretation of Norman Scott, Jeremy Thorpe’s lover, in the 2018 BBC miniseries A Very English Scandal. He skillfully transitions from being cunning and manipulative to fragile, courageous, and even unintentionally comical.

The actor gained exceptional recognition for his 2004 Hamlet performance at the Old Vic when he was just 23, having graduated from Rada only a year prior. This young man from Bedfordshire, who was relatively unknown and had received state education, became the focus of anticipation in the lead-up to the play. More recently, his charming voiceovers for the Paddington films have been well-received, including the memorable scene where he interacted with the late Queen Elizabeth II during her Platinum Jubilee weekend in June 2022.

He recalls that Keats passed away at the tender age of 25, while Whishaw has recently celebrated his youthful 44 years. How does he perceive aging? “I feel fantastic. I guess there’s not much we can do about it; it happens to everyone, doesn’t it?

In April 2023, he received the script for two episodes of “Black Doves”; filming began in October and concluded in March. He exudes charm as Sam Young, portraying a character that’s cool, reserved, dryly humorous, enigmatic, seductive, and tinged with a hidden melancholy, accentuated by his radiant complexion, green eyes, and raven-black hair. What was it about the role that initially captivated him?

I found it captivating as it skillfully balanced being slightly absurd, exhilarating, humorous, and ominous. I appreciated its unique blend of elements. I was looking for an entertaining read, and the concept of a queer assassin piqued my curiosity. I couldn’t wait to read more.

Indeed, I’ve heard quite a bit about his fascinating background. His paternal grandfather, a man of intrigue, served in the German military during World War II, yet he was secretly working for the British government. Correcting a minor detail, our ancestral name is Stellmacher, and surprisingly, he was half-Ukrainian, with a mother from Ukraine, and half-German, having a father from Germany.

He says that, regrettably, he doesn’t speak any other languages. His grandfather’s name was originally Jean Vladimir Stellmacher, which he changed to John Victor Whishaw: “I knew him, but he died when I was about 13.

He was quite intimidating – he seldom spoke, always appeared ominous, and I mostly recall him lounging in an armchair with a cigarette. His ashtray was shaped like a skull, into which he would often flick his ash. He seemed troubled, but then again, his era was marked by hardship and unrest.

As the holiday season approaches, my questions about Christmas are becoming more pressing. On this special day, I visit my stunning mother, who is a twin (her sister is Auntie Carol). Since I have a fraternal twin named James, we typically celebrate Christmas Day together with her and my aunt. Then, on Boxing Day, I head to see my father. Additionally, I get to spend time with my brother, and Christmas brings me great joy because of my niece and nephew.

As a child, I found Christmas to be an incredibly enchanting period that I cherished deeply.

Regarding Christmas TV shows, my go-to choice is always Victoria Wood’s programs. I find myself drawn back to them time and again. Victoria Wood was, in my opinion, a remarkable genius. I spent much of my childhood with her comedies, and even now, I still find her humor endearingly funny and oddly comforting.

Currently, I’m performing in one of the seminal works of contemporary theater, “Waiting for Godot” by Samuel Beckett. Sundays are often so draining, anticipating the start of the week, that I find myself lounging on the couch and enjoying reruns of Victoria Wood instead.

Concerning Black Doves, the show he’s currently promoting, he’s pleased about a second season and, yes, I am aware of his role in it for the next installment. However, much like a classic spy quote goes: I could share that information with you, but then I would have to endanger its secrecy.

2024-12-02 04:38

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