Matt Smith talks staying out of shape for Bunny Munro, euphoric Oasis concerts and which actress influenced his career

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So, Matt, were you a Nick Cave fan before joining this series?

You, of course, play the titular role — but who is Bunny Munro?

It’s really up to others to judge him, but I personally like him. He has a lot of problems and struggles with addiction, but if he’d made a few different decisions, he could have become a good father.

The book has controversial elements — what made you want to sign on?

This book is incredibly bold and doesn’t hold back. It’s direct and impactful, making a strong statement. So much of what we see today plays it safe, but everyone is searching for something truly new and creative. Cave is a genuinely original artist, and I hope this show reflects that same originality.

We often see actors transform their bodies for roles, like you did for House of the Dragon. But your character, Bunny, doesn’t seem to prioritize his health. Did you intentionally gain weight or change your physique to portray him?

It’s true, I didn’t have to worry about getting into physical shape for the role, which was a relief. But seeing it all play out on screen was a little cringeworthy! The character really isn’t a healthy person – that’s just not how he lives. He’s very spontaneous and lives in the moment, not really focusing on taking care of himself. He simply does what feels good, and honestly, that was quite freeing to portray.

One of the first scenes features Lindsay Duncan, playing Bunny’s mother-in-law, delivering a harsh rebuke to him during a funeral. What was it like filming that emotionally charged moment?

I have so much respect for Lindsay. I worked with her early in my career on a play called ‘That Face’ back in 2007, and she really shaped how I thought about acting and life in general. She gave me some incredibly valuable advice – about work, but also about relationships – and even gave me a beautiful poetry book that I’ve shared with countless people. I truly admire her.

Rafael Mathé brings Bunny Junior to life! We were amazed to discover such a gifted nine-year-old with no prior acting experience. How did you find him?

I want to especially acknowledge Shaheen Baig, the casting director, who consistently does an amazing job. It’s great to see casting directors getting the recognition they deserve, because a drama truly relies on having the right actors. That’s true for every role, big or small – even the minor characters and background players. This production was particularly well-cast, and the performances felt very genuine and authentic.

Did you shoot this between seasons of House of the Dragon?

After finishing the second series of Dragon, I started working on this project. Once that wrapped up, just three days later, I flew to New York to film “Caught Stealing,” a thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky, where I play the role of a punk.

A busy man! Why are you up for such an intense schedule, and such intense roles?

People often ask why I’d take on a role like Bunny Munro, saying it’s provocative. And my answer is, that’s exactly why I did it. It’s a fantastic role in a compelling story. But beyond that, it’s a much deeper and more emotional tale if you really connect with it – it’s fundamentally about the relationship between a father and son, which is a theme I’ve always found fascinating.

In your time off, you’re a big music fan. Did you manage to see Oasis on their comeback tour?

I saw Oasis perform six times, and I’m a huge fan. Those concerts really had an impact on me. There was a special connection between the band and the crowd – a shared energy that felt incredible. It was a euphoric experience and definitely made that summer unforgettable.

Unlike the other characters, Bunny in the show prefers pop music – she’s a big fan of artists like Avril Lavigne and Kylie Minogue. Does that sound good to you?

Bunny’s kind of like that – he’s a bit naff. But I love a bit of Kylie!

The Death of Bunny Munro will be available to watch on Thursday 20th November 2025 on Sky and NOW.

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2025-11-10 21:34