You can tell that summer has truly arrived when you’re seated at the edge watching a cricket game,” remarked Usha, a solicitor and Alan, the local vicar’s wife, in a recent episode of The Archers. “The scent of freshly cut grass, the players adorned in their cricket uniforms… The sound of willow striking leather brought to mind an enduring English countryside scene.
Apart from being known as The Archers, it’s usually village cricket that serves as a rich source for compelling storylines. In the recent development, Lawrence Harrington, head of the competing Roserran Cricket Club, has entered the scene. This happened when Lynda Snell, chair of the Ambridge Cricket Club, sought his counsel after their team experienced an upward move in the league.
Immediately, he boldly approached her, disregarding that she was already married, and left her shocked by his disrespectful, subtly discriminatory comments towards her friends, the Maliks – a recently settled Muslim family.
Currently, the cricket season is at its peak, and Lawrence has returned. If his unique voice sounds familiar, it’s because he’s skillfully portrayed by Rupert Vansittart. Known for his versatile acting, he often takes on unappealing aristocratic roles such as Lord Ashfordly in Heartbeat, the MI5 boss Sir Alec Myerson in the latter seasons of Foyle’s War, and Lord Yohn Royce in Game of Thrones.
He casually remarks, “I’m not the one you’d consider for a drug dealer in Newcastle.” But when it comes to playing roles like a man in a tweed suit evicting tenants from a cottage, he’s perfectly fine with that – it’s just acting for him.
Although enjoying television dramas can provide delightful experiences like portraying Lord Ashfordly driving around picturesque Yorkshire landscapes in a Rolls-Royce, acting roles on TV also come with drawbacks. For instance, donning historic costumes for shows like Game of Thrones could be challenging. I attempted to find some comfort by using large foam pads under my shoulders; however, the breastplate was excruciatingly uncomfortable.
Apart from personal connections, he finds pleasure in The Archers because, as he puts it, “Radio offers an intimate connection with the script. It’s simple and unpretentious, and there’s no one watching.” Additionally, he was already acquainted with many of the cast members, having worked or met them previously.
The unique Vansittart voice you hear now, according to him, is a response to evolving times. “When I attended drama school, my accent was quite reminiscent of public schools. However, it has softened over time. Many people have experienced this change – similar to the [late] Queen. It’s no longer appropriate to speak that way.
For decades, Vansittart, now 67 years old, has been an avid radio listener, even hiding a transistor radio under his bedding during his time at boarding school. He’s been a devoted follower of The Archers – not just because he finds it relatable, but also because his personal experiences in the Cotswolds, where he and his wife now reside, mirror the show’s portrayal of warm and frosty villagers alike, confirming its authenticity.
However, it’s worth noting that he hails from a family steeped in grandeur, with ties to the entertainment industry. One of his grandmothers was associated with the Ballets Russes, while other relatives found their footing at the BBC and as scriptwriters for films. They are an integral part of the Vansittart lineage, tracing back to their 12th-century roots as Dutch merchants who ventured here, having previously passed through Germany and the Baltic Sea, arriving in this region in 1674.
As a film enthusiast, I’d describe it like this: “Imagine a captivating narrative, passed down through the years, filled with rascals, secret offspring, servant-turned-lords, and land transactions with King George III. This epic tale would undoubtedly make for an unforgettable family saga! And who else could embody the dashing rogue but none other than the charismatic Vansittart?
Regarding whether Lawrence is genuinely a cad, he maintains that it’s for the audience to decide. “I simply deliver the lines as effectively as possible. If he subtly adds some intrigue, then that’s all the more engaging.
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2025-08-12 03:04