Peter Capaldi on playing a “sympathetic serial killer” and Doctor Who parallels

As an actor who has played some of the most iconic roles in television history, Peter Capaldi finds himself in a unique position, where he carries fragments of these characters with him throughout his life and career. The Doctor, Malcolm Tucker, and others are like old friends that tag along on this journey, reminding the audience that there’s more to him than meets the eye.

Peter Capaldi ponders that he seems genuinely compassionate, but with the caveat that he’s known as a multiple murderer,” (paraphrased)

The renowned Scottish actor, known for portraying characters like Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It and the Twelfth Doctor in Doctor Who, is contemplating his upcoming role as Gideon Shepherd in the second season of The Devil’s Hour.

In Season 1, the character Gideon, a man with a unique ability to be reborn after death and who’s dedicated his life to averting catastrophes, was confined within a prison cell.

However, by the conclusion of the season, he manages to break free. In the ensuing events, he teams up with Jessica Raine’s character, Lucy Chambers, in a tense collaboration aimed at preventing a catastrophic event from occurring.

He possesses information that confines him to a situation where he either remains inactive or takes action based on it. The route he’s taken is perilous.

If season 1 was a supernatural mystery, season 2 is an all-out thriller, with Gideon and Lucy racing against the clock and grappling with their newfound alliance.

Peter Capaldi on playing a “sympathetic serial killer” and Doctor Who parallels

Capaldi notes an increase in pace, suggesting this installment leans towards a thriller rather than the previous one. While maintaining its cosmic and psychological horror elements, he emphasizes that the story unfolds at a faster pace, with a sense of urgency as a time bomb situation is central to the plot.

Raine notes: “The connection between Gideon and Lucy is tense. He’s essentially entered her life and turned it upside down, speaking in enigmatic ways, and his complex personality makes it challenging to form a bond with him, as he carries the burden of knowing so many lives. As a result, they find themselves compelled to work together for a higher purpose.

Essentially, Gideon managed to break out of his cell, which meant that Capaldi had to deal with something he’s grown accustomed to over time – a tremendous amount of chasing.

Capaldi clarifies that it’s essentially a very active, dynamic situation, as he hardly ever stays still. He’s constantly strategizing and attempting to manage various matters.

Last season, he kept everything hidden and delivered many significant speeches to clarify things. This time, however, he’s taking a more proactive role. Yet, he continues to possess the unique perspective on the world that the show is known for.

Peter Capaldi on playing a “sympathetic serial killer” and Doctor Who parallels

One significant change is that viewers have gained a better understanding of Gideon’s personality, yet his enigma remains unsolved. Rather than making him more relatable as suggested last season, this time around, Capaldi aimed to infuse Gideon with a more “cosmic” or otherworldly quality.

This time, I chose a different path, likely due to the increased focus on grounded elements. Previously, I was alone in a cell, so I suggested adding more human aspects to his actions as they come at a price. Originally, it seemed slightly less obvious; I wanted to make him appear more vulnerable and relatable.

However, since he’s actively engaged in the world this time around, we get to witness his actions and their consequences. Consequently, I suggested, “Let’s ensure he retains a touch of the cosmic.

“Poor Tom! I’m always asking him for more. I don’t want grounded, I want cosmic this time!”

Certainly, it’s fair to say that Capaldi excels at portraying cosmic roles. Despite his firm decision not to reprise the Doctor Who character, there are instances in The Devil’s Hour that could elicit a knowing smile from Whovians, as Gideon acknowledges his complex connection with time in season 1.

Capaldi reminisces warmly about Doctor Who, stating: “It was simply a remarkable journey. All of a sudden, I found myself immersed in a magical realm filled with enthusiasts who adore Doctor Who.

I found myself watching an interview with Tom Baker discussing various topics. He mentioned that during his time as ‘Doctor Who’, he engaged in a vast amount of public appearances and events, because he enjoyed it immensely compared to being Tom Baker himself. In all honesty, I suspect I’d feel the same way if I were in his shoes – playing Doctor Who seems infinitely more exciting than being myself.

Absolutely, you’re in a fortunate situation as you’re loved for that character. Remember, it’s just a role, not me personally, and it’s an enjoyable space to inhabit. Maintaining this role might be challenging over time, but it allows you to witness the best in people, which is truly wonderful.

Although he’s not deliberately pursuing additional time-travel roles, he acknowledges that he appears to excel at portraying such characters who possess an unusual connection to time. Essentially, it’s the kind of actor he is – you bring your own essence to every role.

He notes: “There are minor similarities [with Doctor Who], which is acceptable, but as performers, we develop specific techniques for portraying various emotions such as anger or sadness. However, it’s important to remember that actors are essentially a combination of their life experiences, their personal journey, and the roles they have taken on.

The characters like The Doctor, Malcolm Tucker, and others I’ve portrayed are part of my repertoire. They follow me because we share a common feature – our faces. This helps the audience perceive that there’s depth to my acting abilities beyond what truly exists.

Beyond Peter Capaldi, it’s also the direction of Johnny Allan that contributes significantly to the “cosmic” atmosphere on the show. Both Capaldi and his co-star Raine have expressed admiration for Allan, particularly appreciating the subtle Easter eggs he incorporates throughout the season, adding a chilling touch.

Raine describes a particularly intense scene, approximately in episode 1, where Lucy is in Dr. Bennett’s office. He says this moment is quite unsettling. In the foreground, it’s his shot, but in the background, there’s a small child of about eight years old who timidly peeks out from behind the curtain.

In an instant, the scene shifted elsewhere, sending a shiver down my spine. The sudden change left me feeling chilled to the bone, with goosebumps rising on the back of my neck.

In my perspective, instances such as these serve as proof of the exceptional abilities and talents of our gifted directors. (Capaldi’s statement is paraphrased here from first person to third person for clarity)

He points out: “This show really is has blossomed because of the direction, because to create that sense of unease and these chills and these sudden frights and stuff like that, that’s a really skilful and complex task.

Allan plans to discuss an intriguing point where prolonging a scene slightly past what the audience anticipates can throw off their pace, as they’ve grown accustomed to editing at a specific pace.

If you adjust the pace slightly and prolong a scene showing someone sitting on a couch by a few extra seconds, it might trigger a sense of anticipation in your mind, as if something unusual is about to occur.

Even as the second season debuts, production for season 3 has already commenced, with filming starting in March 2024.

As a movie reviewer, I must confess that I’m on the edge of my seat, eagerly waiting to see how the storyline unfolds for Peter Capaldi’s character, Gideon. My fervent wish is that he experiences some tranquility amidst all the chaos. Hopefully, by the end of the series, we might find him in a serene setting.

Despite the fact that he’s responsible for taking lives, he deeply cares about the state of the world and wishes for its improvement. However, ironically, his attempts to control it are futile because ultimately, he doesn’t have the power to do so.

Season 2 of “The Devil’s Hour” premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting October 18, 2024. Don’t miss out, you can join Prime Video right now with a complimentary 30-day trial!

2024-10-15 21:35

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