Slow Horses’ Jonathan Pryce on returning to his Welsh roots with new drama: “I left it physically, but emotionally, I’ve never left”

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If Jonathan Pryce had stuck to his early plan to retire at 60, his final film role would have been in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. He wouldn’t have become known for his characters in Game of Thrones, like the manipulative High Sparrow, or Cardinal Wolsey in Wolf Hall. While he likely would have still received his CBE in 2009 for his contributions to acting, it’s doubtful he would have been knighted in 2021 based on work done after that initial recognition.

He’d still be celebrated for his two Tony Awards, including one for Miss Saigon despite debate around his role as an Asian character, and his two Olivier Awards, the first earned in 1980 for a unique take on Hamlet. However, he wouldn’t have received an Oscar nomination for his performance in 2019’s The Two Popes, where he played the future Pope Francis alongside Anthony Hopkins. He also wouldn’t have been up for two Emmys in 2024 – one for playing Prince Philip in the final seasons of The Crown and another for his role as David Cartwright in Slow Horses. We’ll come back to Slow Horses later.

You know, it’s funny to think that if Jonathan Pryce had retired back in 2007, most people probably would have remembered him best for roles like Juan Perón in ‘Evita’ or that Bond villain in ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’. He’d have been good in those, sure, but he would have missed out on giving some truly incredible performances later on. Honestly, I think he’d have really shortchanged his own talent if he’d stopped then.

I once worried about turning sixty and becoming the oldest person on set, feeling like everyone would treat me differently – I’d seen it happen to others. Now, at seventy-eight, that hasn’t happened yet. People have been really kind, so I’m continuing to work as long as I can. Eventually, the industry might decide it’s time for me to stop, but for now, I don’t need to retire myself.

He acknowledges the fear of losing purpose after stopping work. “Absolutely,” Pryce states. “It’s true for everyone – you need to either stay active or find new passions when you retire.”

Pryce’s newest role is as Solomon Bevan, the strong-willed and determined head of a family, in Sky’s gripping thriller, Under Salt Marsh.

The new drama, Under Salt Marsh, centers around a double murder in a vulnerable coastal town facing both rising sea levels and an approaching storm. Created by Claire Oakley, the series is more than just a whodunnit; it explores complex themes of trust and guilt alongside a fast-paced mystery. Visually striking and atmospheric, with compelling performances from Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, it’s a show that surpasses even Broadchurch in quality.

Pryce enjoyed playing the role of Solomon, a respected figure in his small Welsh coastal village of Morfa Halen. His family had farmed the land there for generations, and he was known for keeping secrets – both his own and those of others. The relationships between Solomon and the people around him were incredibly complex, much like the winding waterways of the nearby salt marshes. However, despite his strong public image, Solomon had hidden flaws and vulnerabilities, like many people in positions of authority.

Pryce also loved working on Under Salt Marsh because it felt like returning home. He’d left Wales nearly 60 years earlier to pursue his education – first art school, then teacher training in Lancashire, and finally drama school in London – but he used his free weekends during filming to reconnect with the Welsh countryside.

As a kid, I didn’t appreciate how beautiful this country is. I just saw it as the place where I played outdoors or went to the pub, and like many people my age, I couldn’t wait to leave. But it really is a beautiful place. It’s ironic, though, because a lot of that beauty, particularly in south Wales, is actually created by people. Those lovely green hills aren’t natural – they’re actually old waste heaps from coal mines and steel factories covered in grass.

Following his training at Rada, Jonathan Pryce began his career at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. For many years after that, he actively avoided working in Wales, even feeling a pang of envy towards colleagues who did. Although he moved away physically, he maintains a strong emotional connection to his Welsh roots, regularly visiting family – his sisters still live in North Wales. He feels a part of himself remains there, despite living elsewhere.

He didn’t think of himself as a Welsh actor for many years. It wasn’t until he went to America that people started identifying him as such, and he first began to embrace that label. He noted that Americans are very interested in people’s origins and cultural background.

Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce jokingly describes himself as someone who thrives on positive feedback, admitting he loves the appreciation he gets for his work. He’s currently receiving a lot of praise for his role in ‘Slow Horses,’ the Apple TV series based on Mick Herron’s novels about a group of demoted intelligence officers. His portrayal of David Cartwright – River’s grandfather and a retired spy now struggling with dementia – is a beautifully nuanced and subtly powerful performance.

James Hawes, the director who worked with Jonathan Pryce on both the first season of Slow Horses and the film One Life (also featuring Anthony Hopkins), describes Pryce as having incredible range. While audiences often see him play kind, vulnerable, and fragile characters, he can instantly become menacing and powerfully evil with just a subtle shift in his performance. Hawes calls him a truly masterful actor.

Pryce explains that because Slow Horses is so well-written, they don’t need much rehearsal or discussion – they simply trust the script and avoid overanalyzing it.

Gary Pryce understands the difficulties River and David are facing, as he’s personally familiar with the impact of dementia. He’s been an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Society even before his role in Slow Horses.

Pryce discovered the impact of theatre while playing a character with dementia in ‘The Height of the Storm.’ He often spoke with audience members after performances who felt less isolated by the story. Many told him it was the first time they’d allowed themselves to cry, realizing they weren’t alone in their experiences. He then sought a similar opportunity to authentically portray dementia again in his role on ‘Slow Horses.’

I was chatting with David Pryce, who, along with his wife Kate Fahy and their three kids, has clearly built a lovely life. He actually paused – and I think we should officially call it a ‘Pryce Pause’ – before sharing something really insightful. He believes there’s something incredibly rewarding about working in a field where you’re simultaneously helping, teaching, and entertaining people. Honestly, after hearing him put it that way, it’s easy to see why retirement isn’t on his mind!

Under Salt Marsh begins on Sky Atlantic and NOW from 30 January.

Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer. He’s reviewed countless shows as a critic and interviewed hundreds of notable figures, including Liza Minnelli and Jimmy Savile, as a feature writer. He’s also worked as a writer on television programs.

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2026-01-19 20:47