On October 22nd,
2006, episode one of Torchwood aired on the BBC. In the first episode,
Everything Changes, when two cops are standing out in the torrential downpour,
WPC Gwen Cooper receives a hot cup of coffee from a young cop who spoke only
once before disappearing from view. This was Guy Lewis.
Although it was only a
small part, Guy has appeared on telly, in many different guises, from ads to
dramas, to serials, to films. And after this, I’m sure you’ll recognise him
more than you may have done before.
Hi Guy, thanks so much
for the interview. Who or what inspired you to become an actor and what was
your first role - either professional or amateur?
Guy: I really wish I had a better answer
than this, but the truth is a school trip to see ‘Cats’ in London got me thinking
that it was something I’d really like to do! Sorry. So, I became a big fan of
musicals and that was a huge motivation for me to become an actor. My first
role was when I was 14, I played a farmer in the school production of ‘Anne of
Green Gables’. My line was LIKE A CYCLONE.
Are you in the 'On the
Market' advert? Are you in any other adverts on the telly? Have you done voice
overs for adverts?
Guy: YES! Well spotted. I’ve done lots and
lots of ads. My background is in theatre - I had a theatre training and have
worked extensively in theatre - but over the past few years my main income has
been from adverts. Which actually I’ve really enjoyed. And it also means I get
to spend more time with my family (I’m married with two kids) rather than gallivanting
around the country. My ads include Eve Mattresses, Walkers with Gary Lineker,
Weetabix, B and Q, Tassimo, BIC, Birdseye, Barclaycard and many others at home
and abroad.
Which theatre
production did you get your first break in?
Guy: I did a few fringe things out of drama
school, but I guess my first big theatre job was doing ‘The Graduate’ at the
Gielgud theatre. I was in the ensemble and understudying Benjamin Braddock -
the Dustin Hoffman role. I was in it with Jerry Hall, Amanda Donoghue, Anne
Archer and Linda Gray. I did it for a year, and it was a great first
experience.
Have you done any audio
work? For Big Finish or BBC Audios?
Guy: Well, actually I did my first audio job
a couple of weeks back for Audible. It’s called ‘Albion’ and is a retelling of
the Arthur legend. I was playing Cled who’s kind of one half of a comedy duo.
The other half is Gruff, played by none other than Gareth David-Lloyd! Who, by
the way, is such a lovely man. And brilliant.
You're in the
Knightfall series on Netflix, directed by Douglas Mackinnon, did you know much
about the Knights Templar before you took the role? You play a Captain - can
you tell us anything about your character?
Guy: No, I knew nothing about them actually.
I just found out from the script. The character is responsible for the ship
that’s rescuing the Holy Grail. So probably quite a stressful day for him! I
was quite pleased with how it turned out because when they first put me in
costume, I looked like something from Monty Python and the Holy Grail! It’s
amazing what make up and a fake beard can do.
Are you a method actor?
Guy: If by that you mean ‘Do I spend time
being the part in my day to day life and in between takes’ then the answer is
no. I’ve never found that helpful. I definitely have a method for working on
parts - but it’s not that.
Which genre do you
prefer out of all you've worked in?
Guy: I think Comedy can be rewarding for obvious
reasons, but I’m not sure if I do have a favourite genre. They’ve all got their
merits.
Aside from acting
roles, would you or have you been involved in any 'reality television' shows,
and if not, which one appeals to you the most?
Guy: No. Hmmmm, I actually love reality TV,
but I’m not sure if I’d want to appear on it! I like Strictly, but I’m a
terrible dancer. Maybe the jungle would be fun?
When you've been
working on a long shoot and you're back in your trailer, or back home, what is
your 'comfort food' or 'go to food'?
Guy: Well nothing beats pasta and lardons in
a tomato sauce. I run a lot so eat a lot of pasta. It’s definitely good comfort
food!
Are you the only person
in your family who acts, or do you have any other siblings who work in the
industry?
Guy: Yeah completely. I don’t know where my
love of it came from. My sister was engaged to Nick Moran of ‘Lock Stock’ for a
while but that’s the only other connection.
During breaks in
filming, what jobs have you taken to keep the ‘wolf from the door’?
Guy: You name it, I’ve done it. Call centre,
cinema, cafe, warehouse stacking shelves, HMV, handing out leaflets and a
hundred other ones I can’t remember now!
If you could be in any
film, in any role, which would it be and why?
Guy: Oh man that’s hard. Probably a
Spielberg in his prime. Jurassic Park would have been fun right?! And a role
like Jeff Goldblum’s! Although nobody could ever hope to emulate that.
What's the furthest
you've travelled for a gig?
Guy: I’ve done loads of ads round various
parts of Europe - Bucharest, Prague, Madrid, Barcelona etc
If you could work with
any A list actor/actress, who would it be and in what kind of film?
Guy:
I had one line in a film called ‘Telstar’. My scene was with Con O Neill
who is a wonderful actor and human being. Kevin Spacey was also in the scene.
He was my total hero (we filmed it I think in 2007). Until the day I worked
with him. In terms of who I’d love to act with in ideal dreamworld, it would be
Michael Fassbender, and Emma Stone.
Have you worked behind
the camera, in any capacity?
Guy: No. Though I’d love to try.
What are your plans for
2020?
Guy: I never really know my plans until they
happen! Maybe to do a bit more theatre. I did a wonderful play at the
Chichester Festival Theatre late last year called ‘The Butterfly Lion’. There’s
a chance that could happen again, but it reignited my love of theatre.
If you could meet your 12-year-old
self, what advice would you give him?
Guy: Take the pressure off. You don’t have
to be perfect, that’s impossible. Just be good enough.
Profile photo courtesy of
Guy Lewis
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