Tag: Matt Smith

  • INTERVIEW | Riding dragons was the most fun: ‘House of the Dragon’ actor Matt Smith

    Express News Service

    How daunting was it to step into something as huge as House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones?

    It’s definitely daunting, but at the same time, the pressure is removed because it’s unrealistic to think this show can ever succeed on the same scale as Game of Thrones did. Thrones are a cultural phenomenon. I’m not sure anything will ever match that. House of the Dragon is very much its own thing. Hopefully, people will receive it positively and enjoy it as something really different from the brilliant original series.

    You play Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. What attracted you to the role?

    Daemon Targaryen, as many fans will know, is the son of Baelon Targaryen and the brother of Viserys. I just loved how dark and disturbed he was. He’s a fascinating character. Besides, who wouldn’t want a chance to fly dragons and have sword fights? But, it was the blond wig that sealed the deal (laughs).

    How was it shooting fight scenes with a wig on? Was it uncomfortable?

    It was a pain to put it on. I have to admit, I didn’t know the wig was going to be such a big thing. Emilia Clarke (who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones) told me years ago about what a chore it was to put on the wig every day. Now I know what she meant. It took me about an hour and a half each day. I have dark hair, so I had to have a bald cap glued on and then they put the wig on over that. It’s a lot, but I think it looks really cool, and I like being blond.

    How would you describe Daemon’s relationship with his brother?

    It’s a complicated relationship. I had such a fabulous time with Paddy Considine, who plays Viserys. Daemon’s relationship with his brother and the depth and richness Paddy and I found in our scenes together are very much the core of our part in this story.

    How do the scenes when you are riding dragons work?

    The scenes when we get to ride them are the most fun. It’s basically done as if you’re riding a bucking bronco. You sit on this mechanical thing and it moves around while they blow loads of wind in your face. The rest is done in post-production, so it takes a little imagination, but it’s also a lot of fun.

    What can you tell us about your dragon?

    I have a big red dragon called Caraxes, who I grew rather fond of despite the fact he’s rather grumpy and, of course, a great big pretend dragon. On set, he was basically this 10-foot mechanical contraction, but to me he was about as close as I could get to having my own dragon. I love Caraxes even though he’s big, red, scary and angry.

    Did you suffer any sword-fighting injuries?

    A cut on the forehead during rehearsals for one fight. Nothing too serious.

    You have played quite a few baddie roles since leaving Doctor Who. Daemon Targaryen too isa grey character. Were the choices made consciously?

    No, not really. I just think it’s good to have breadth as an actor and challenge yourself with something different if you can. Certainly, since the Doctor, I have actively been looking to do things that feel completely different.

    How do you look back on your time on Doctor Who?

    With great affection. I was very lucky that I got the opportunity to work with brilliant friends like Karen (Gillan), Arthur (Darvill) and Jenna (Coleman). We had such great chemistry and we had such a great time making that show. It was a real adventure. I’m so proud, to this day, to be part of that world. There is a huge amount of pressure that comes with it, just as there is with House of the Dragon, but it’s very rewarding.

    Have you spoken to Ncuti Gatwa to pass on any advice about being the new Doctor Who?

    I did speak to him to wish him well, but he doesn’t need my advice. Ncuti is a brilliant actor and he’s going to be an incredible Doctor. I’m excited to see it and to see where Russell (T Davis) and Ncuti take the show.

    Finally, if Matt Smith were to rule in House of the Dragon, what would your first decree be?

    I would allow them to dye their hair, so I don’t have to get the wig on.

    How daunting was it to step into something as huge as House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones?

    It’s definitely daunting, but at the same time, the pressure is removed because it’s unrealistic to think this show can ever succeed on the same scale as Game of Thrones did. Thrones are a cultural phenomenon. I’m not sure anything will ever match that. House of the Dragon is very much its own thing. Hopefully, people will receive it positively and enjoy it as something really different from the brilliant original series.

    You play Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. What attracted you to the role?

    Daemon Targaryen, as many fans will know, is the son of Baelon Targaryen and the brother of Viserys. I just loved how dark and disturbed he was. He’s a fascinating character. Besides, who wouldn’t want a chance to fly dragons and have sword fights? But, it was the blond wig that sealed the deal (laughs).

    How was it shooting fight scenes with a wig on? Was it uncomfortable?

    It was a pain to put it on. I have to admit, I didn’t know the wig was going to be such a big thing. Emilia Clarke (who played Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones) told me years ago about what a chore it was to put on the wig every day. Now I know what she meant. It took me about an hour and a half each day. I have dark hair, so I had to have a bald cap glued on and then they put the wig on over that. It’s a lot, but I think it looks really cool, and I like being blond.

    How would you describe Daemon’s relationship with his brother?

    It’s a complicated relationship. I had such a fabulous time with Paddy Considine, who plays Viserys. Daemon’s relationship with his brother and the depth and richness Paddy and I found in our scenes together are very much the core of our part in this story.

    How do the scenes when you are riding dragons work?

    The scenes when we get to ride them are the most fun. It’s basically done as if you’re riding a bucking bronco. You sit on this mechanical thing and it moves around while they blow loads of wind in your face. The rest is done in post-production, so it takes a little imagination, but it’s also a lot of fun.

    What can you tell us about your dragon?

    I have a big red dragon called Caraxes, who I grew rather fond of despite the fact he’s rather grumpy and, of course, a great big pretend dragon. On set, he was basically this 10-foot mechanical contraction, but to me he was about as close as I could get to having my own dragon. I love Caraxes even though he’s big, red, scary and angry.

    Did you suffer any sword-fighting injuries?

    A cut on the forehead during rehearsals for one fight. Nothing too serious.

    You have played quite a few baddie roles since leaving Doctor Who. Daemon Targaryen too is
    a grey character. Were the choices made consciously?

    No, not really. I just think it’s good to have breadth as an actor and challenge yourself with something different if you can. Certainly, since the Doctor, I have actively been looking to do things that feel completely different.

    How do you look back on your time on Doctor Who?

    With great affection. I was very lucky that I got the opportunity to work with brilliant friends like Karen (Gillan), Arthur (Darvill) and Jenna (Coleman). We had such great chemistry and we had such a great time making that show. It was a real adventure. I’m so proud, to this day, to be part of that world. There is a huge amount of pressure that comes with it, just as there is with House of the Dragon, but it’s very rewarding.

    Have you spoken to Ncuti Gatwa to pass on any advice about being the new Doctor Who?

    I did speak to him to wish him well, but he doesn’t need my advice. Ncuti is a brilliant actor and he’s going to be an incredible Doctor. I’m excited to see it and to see where Russell (T Davis) and Ncuti take the show.

    Finally, if Matt Smith were to rule in House of the Dragon, what would your first decree be?

    I would allow them to dye their hair, so I don’t have to get the wig on.

  • Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark to star in supernatural horror film ‘Starve Acre’

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: British star Matt Smith and Welsh actor Morfydd Clark are set to play lead roles in the upcoming supernatural horror movie “Starve Acre”.

    The feature film comes from writer and director Daniel Kokotajlo, best known for his 2017 BAFTA-nominated movie “Apostasy”, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

    Based on the novel by Andrew Michael Hurley, “Starve Acre” is described as a tale about the “inherited trauma and loss within a world ruled by supernatural folklore”.

    It follows a couple, Richard (Smith) and Juliette (Clark), in 1970s England whose seemingly perfect life is interrupted when their son suddenly and unexpectedly dies, causing the once happy and idyllic couple to grow distant from each other.

    “They both cope with the tragedy in different ways — Richard buries himself in exploring a local folkloric myth about a powerful and supernatural tree on their estate to distract himself, and Juliette turning to the local community, who are hiding an occult secret, for support,” the official logline read.

    Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell’s prolific House Productions is producing the film, which is being developed with BBC Film and funded by BBC Film, Access Entertainment and the BFI.

    Smith is likely best known for his fan-favourite turn as the iconic title character in “Doctor Who” as well as playing Prince Philip in the first two seasons of Netflix royal drama “The Crown”.

    He most recently starred in Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho” and will next be seen in the upcoming “Game of Thrones” prequel, “House of the Dragon”.

    Clark broke out as the lead of A24’s critically acclaimed psychological horror “Saint Maud”.

    She is currently awaiting the release of the Amazon series “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”.

  • ‘The Crown’ stars Olivia Colman, Matt Smith to voice star in BBC’s ‘Superworm’

    By PTI
    LONDON: BBC has roped in British star Olivia Colman and Matt Smith to lead the cast of animated special “Superworm”.

    The half-hour show, based on the book of the same name by author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, will also feature “Sex Education” star Patricia Allison and actor Rob Brydon.

    Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman will direct the special from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang, BBC said in a statement.

    The show follows Superworm (Smith), who is a hero always on hand to help out all the other animals and insects, whose latest challenge is to fight the wicked Wizard Lizard and his servant Crow.

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    “I’m delighted to play the part of ‘Superworm’. And join such a fabulous cast of actors, artists and storytellers. What fun to be part of the BBC’s Christmas line up in this great children’s tale,” Smith said. Colman, who will narrate the show, said, “This is such a lovely project to be involved with.

    “When reading the script, and imagining all those things going on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.”

    Barney Goodland will produce “Superworm” with Martin Pope and Michael Rose serving as executive producers.

    The show will air on BBC One on Christmas this year.