“The fallacy is that comedy is easy”

As I delve deeper into the captivating life story of David Morrissey, a man who has masterfully navigated the realms of emotional storytelling and dramatic performances, I am struck by his unwavering dedication to authenticity and immersion in his roles. His unique approach to acting, which involves extensive research and personal connections with those he portrays, is truly inspiring.

Add Daddy Issues to your watchlist.

David Morrissey, a highly esteemed actor both on stage and screen, had recently concluded the intense dramas “The Long Shadow” and “Sherwood” season two. Feeling it was time for a change, he remarked, “They were truly fantastic, and I enjoy performing them, but they can certainly exhaust you.” He added, “You carry those experiences with you.”

As a movie enthusiast, I’m accustomed to Morrissey taking on more somber roles, frequently as a policeman or authority figure. However, he’s also made quite an impression with his chilling portrayal of the Governor in The Walking Dead, the political figure Gordon Brown in The Deal, and the British Army Captain Sam Webster in The Missing.

In his most recent comedy series on BBC Three titled “Daddy Issues,” the Liverpudlian actor has demonstrated an unexpectedly hilarious side of himself. His humor is so profound that Phil Gilbert, the executive producer, compares his physicality to that of the legendary Eric Morecambe.

The character Malcolm is depicted as struggling with everyday tasks such as operating a washing machine, cooking an egg, or heating rice in a microwave without causing mishaps. Does this sound like Morrissey? Morrissey may find himself more comfortable around household chores like loading the dishwasher and washing machine, but he isn’t particularly tech-savvy. His children often assist him with his iPhone and TV subscriptions, which used to make him feel guilty. However, he’s learned not to worry about it too much since he was the one who taught them how to walk in the first place, so they can now help him navigate Sky Sports.

I confess, there’s something soothing about ironing that I adore. It provides a sense of tranquility and relief for me, transforming it into my sanctuary of peace.

In the movie “Daddy Issues,” he portrays a less-than-ideal father figure to Aimee Lou Wood’s character, Gemma, while in reality, he has three children – two sons, Albie and Gene, and a daughter, Anna, with his ex-spouse Esther Freud.

When a 24-year-old woman finds herself pregnant following a single encounter, Malcolm is the only person she feels comfortable confiding in. He’s currently residing at a home for divorced men alongside Derek, who is grappling with his recent divorce, and Gemma proposes that he move in with her. Sharon Rooney (known from ‘Barbie’), Sarah Hadland (‘Miranda’) and Susan Lynch (‘Sex Education’) are among the stars of this production.

“Morrissey remarks that his daughter might not be as patient with Malcolm as Gemma is, but he found creating their father-daughter dynamic with Wood effortless, even though they hadn’t known each other before the series started. ‘She’s so receptive,’ he says, ‘Our work styles align – we both dive in headfirst. And it helps that we’re both from the North.’ “

Originates from Stockport, Greater Manchester, the location and filming site of the show, the character expresses, “We enjoy ourselves. We constantly amuse one another, which at times caused distress to others. We have faith in each other.”

“The fallacy is that comedy is easy”

Morrissey expresses his affection for comedy, both watching and performing it, but acknowledges that he’s delved into quite dark forms of it. He’s had captivating roles in shows like “Good Omens” and “Inside No. 9”, and shone as executioner Harry Wade in Martin McDonagh’s 2015 play “Hangmen”. Similarly, the musical “Blackpool” presented a dark side despite its genre, with Morrissey portraying arcade owner Ripley Holden.

“Morrissey points out that people often misunderstand comedy as being simple, but it’s actually challenging, if not more so than drama. It requires a perfect balance of rhythm and timing, which can be draining and intense, leaving you feeling quite mentally taxed by the end of the day.”

Morrissey is frequently questioned about whether he prefers stage performances or TV/movie roles, but he emphasizes that a compelling plot and well-developed character are what truly matter most. He admits, “When I’ve been away from theater for a while, I genuinely miss it. It feels like something essential is missing.” He further explains, “There’s simply nothing quite like the raw energy and immediacy of live theater.”

We spend some time discussing recent shows – he loved Next to Normal, Cold War, Sondheim’s Old Friends and he’s seen Standing at the Sky’s Edge three times. “It’s a really great political story about working-class people and a working-class area. It came out of Sheffield, it’s set in Sheffield, with the music of Richard Hawley, who I love. It’s unbelievable.”

As a child, Morrissey was captivated by Ken Loach’s film Kes, a tale of a young boy who discovers a kestrel and becomes fascinated with falconry. This experience ignited his passion for acting. He expressed, “That movie left a lasting impression on me. It’s a beautiful film, and it had a significant impact on my life. Many actors of my generation share the same sentiment, particularly those from working-class backgrounds. Christopher Eccleston often discusses its influence. That sparked my interest in emotional storytelling.”

As a kid, his preferred TV show besides Colditz was “Colditz”. In the episode titled “Tweedledum”, an actor named Michael Bryant was trying to escape from Colditz by feigning madness so that the Nazis would have to release him based on the Geneva Convention. However, he ended up genuinely becoming insane. This had a significant impact on him. That’s when he began contemplating his desire to evoke similar emotions in others.

Morrissey is recognized for thoroughly investigating his character roles by interacting with individuals who genuinely hold those professions he depicts. For example, in the series “Sherwood” returning for its second season on BBC1 on Sunday 25 August, he portrays DCS Ian St. Clair, a policeman now overseeing a Violence Prevention Unit. “These units actually exist and they aim to unite all relevant entities in any local community – police, mental health, education, paramedics – to devise strategies to combat crime before it occurs,” Morrissey explains.

“I’ve come across some individuals who manage these units, and I must say it feels like an endless, Sisyphean struggle. However, I greatly respect and am impressed by their perseverance. This loyalty towards them follows me to work, and even during my leisure time, it’s tough for me to detach from it. Sometimes, I don’t want to shed this feeling, preferring to linger in it instead. This might make me challenging to be around when I’m at work.”

Even though the research wasn’t strictly necessary for Malcolm’s character in Daddy Issues, Morrissey felt compelled to delve deeper. In fact, he even crafted a personal history for him. “I was driven to explore the psychological underpinnings of this character, asking myself ‘What events in his past could have led him to this point in life?’ This is why I felt it necessary to flesh out the background details.”

He suggests that “it appears he was part of a band and they took care of him extensively, which makes him seem like a victim of bullying in my opinion. His upbringing seems to have been in a boisterous, macho environment filled with loud noises and arguments. What stands out about Malcolm is his shyness, as someone of my stature (six feet three) finds it unusual for a man to be so timid, leading me to wonder what experiences might have caused this fearfulness.”

“He’s deeply affected by his divorce, struggling to cope and find his place in life since it was taken from him. This leaves me wondering, ‘What was the nature of their relationship?’ Many men I know are likely going through something similar, though perhaps not as severely as Malcolm. They seem to be aimlessly drifting without direction. I’ve compared him to a few people I know personally and some I’ve only read about.”

Although Morrissey seeks to move away from his dramatic acting ventures, comedy remains a matter of deep importance to him. As he puts it, “If I don’t find the characters relatable or if they fail to elicit an emotional response from me, then the humor won’t captivate me, and I won’t laugh.”

“You have to believe in them.”

2024-08-15 16:35

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