I've moved these interviews for 'Hannibal' here to start this new thread.
http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2015/07/25/richard-armitage-unleashes-the-red-dragon-in-hannibal/
http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2015/07/28/1481667/richard-armitage-hobbit-hannibal
http://decider.com/2015/07/27/hannibal-recap-episode-308-the-great-red-dragon/
More impressive still is Richard Armitage’s instant-classic work as Francis Dolarhyde — aka the Tooth Fairy, aka the Great Red Dragon — whom he doesn’t so much play as inhabit. In a recent interview, Armitage said he patterned his (so far entirely wordless) performance on Mica Levi’s avant-garde score for Jonathan Glazer’s art-house horror masterpiece Under the Skin. That a main character on a network television show would be based not a performance but the music from one of the most difficult and surreal horror films ever made is remarkable in and of itself. But beyond that, the connection makes perfect sense. Like Under the Skin, Red Dragon concerns an individual in the process of becoming: making, and perhaps unmaking, themselves into a creature driven to commit monstrous crimes. Armitage’s Dolarhyde stares at his own hands as if only now realizing not just their potential but their existence, and mouths formless syllables as if trying to construct not just speech but the meaning behind it. It’s both easy and instructive to see the parallels with Scarlett Johannson’s nameless predator, another beast slouching toward mayhem to be born.share
Well I watched RA’s debut as the Red Dragon last night and of course is he was amazing. He was only on screen about 8 minutes and didn't speak or interact with anyone and yet made such a memorable impact in all his scenes. We know how well he can act with his body and facial expressions and how well he plays conflict and I thought his scenes were so powerful and really highlighted his skills as an actor. We have him 'transforming' himself into the dragon, seeming to both revel in it but also fighting it, as if not understanding what is happening to him. A great introduction to this character. I can’t wait to see what happens next. My only complaint, which is always the same for me with 'Hannibal,' is how dark many of the scenes are. We know how spectacular that tattoo is, for instance, but in the scene where it is revealed I could hardly see it.
Short interview. I know he has talked about dreaming in character before. I hope he didn’t have any really bad nightmares.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxsjbIuAh54
Post mortem interviews. Episode 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UH9CdsNdoA
Episode 9. This one is Rutina Wesley but RA is there and some nice clips shown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efyLtqwdTEs
From their critic for RA in his Dolarhyde debut.
http://collider.com/richard-armitage-hannibal-tv-performer-of-the-week/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
https://twitter.com/collidernews/status/627199583727284224
RA tweeted his thanks with this.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/627220987029774336
This time there is a reason for the darkness. But I wish I could see his face better. The accent sounds good to me, but being British, I'm probably not the best judge. I did read in an interview that he was trying to do a Missouri dialect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtkSgmiDQNE&feature=youtu.be
As rich as these scenes are, the duets between Francis and Reba take Hannibal to a level of intensity that honors the best, most surprising portions of Red Dragon. We've seen the carnage that Francis has wrought, especially this week in those unmooring close-ups of Mrs. Jacobi in bed, spread out in a quasi-crucifixion pose, engulfed in geysers of blood stains, and now we're to somehow find a way to understand him as the most pitiful, tormented human being this series has offered. Francis speaks for the first time this week, after only uttering guttural moans previously, and we can hear the profound speech impediment caused by his cleft palate. The way Francis utters "Mrs. McClane" from his van, garbling it yet determined to verbally push it out so as to reach out, when he offers her a ride home, is the most moving gesture in the entire series. Considering the context of who Francis actually is, the scene is flabbergasting for its empathy and awareness of vulnerability, bringing to mind some of the vocal effects that Charles Laughton landed in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.share
Armitage plays this role in the tradition of some of the 1930s-era Universal Studios movie monsters: with an acknowledgement of the grace that arrives almost inadvertently from the purity of the effort to overcome physical damage—a grace that Francis hates himself too much to recognize. When Francis eats a piece of pie that Reba offers him as they sit in her home, quickly, like a hungry dog, we share his relief in being able to eat with someone while remaining alone and unwatched in equal measure. It's training-wheels companionship for a man who's long been lost in the figurative cold.
The reviews, wow! I agree Laura, the scenes are dark. Maybe they dont want us to see his face, dont want us to focus on that. I love his real voice but its so interesting to see him do different voices like this one. The music, eeeek.
Thanks Laura. The post mortem thing. Scott Thompson, wow I havent seen him in a lonnnng time. So hes still naughty lol. Richard..his legs.. I'm trying to concentrate on what hes saying but jeeeez those legsssss...
shareThe reviews, wow! I agree Laura, the scenes are dark. Maybe they dont want us to see his face, dont want us to focus on that. I love his real voice but its so interesting to see him do different voices like this one. The music, eeeek.
Richard Armitage continues to impress with his performance as serial killer Francis Dolarhyde, a.k.a. the Red Dragon in the NBC horror series, Hannibal.
Viewers met the Red Dragon last week, in the second part of the cancelled series, and even though the British actor didn’t use his deep baritone voice at all, one could say he stole the show. His heartbreaking introduction left his fans in awe of his physical strength, displayed in the difficult movements his body was able to perform as part of his transformation.
For those who haven’t read the Thomas Harris novel Red Dragon, Dolarhyde is as wicked as they come because of the circumstances in his youth. Born with a cleft palate, he was always inadequate due to the ensuing speech impediment and was bullied by his step-siblings and grandmother. His circumstances created a monster, and now, he wants the power.
Richard Armitage finally spoke on Saturday night’s episode, called “And The Woman Clothed With the Sun.” The lisp Harris describes in his novel was done perfectly, and it was actually painful to watch him struggle with his words. That is one of the things Armitage said he wanted to do, make Dolarhyde an empathetic character, despite the horrible crimes he commits.
Along with Richard Armitage’s first words, we were also introduced to Reba McClane, played by True Blood star Rutina Wesley. Reba is interesting to Dolarhyde because she is blind, and so, since she cannot see his disfigured face like everyone else does, she can’t judge him.
Dolarhyde is shy, but Reba doesn’t seem to mind his awkwardness and actually explains that he doesn’t have to be uncomfortable around her because she understands his words. However, he is reluctant when she asks to touch his face.
“I want to see if you’re smiling,” she asks to put him at ease.
“Trust me, I’m smiling.” Francis responds as he holds her arm at bay. Dolarhyde hasn’t been around many women. In fact, Reba is the first adult woman he has ever interacted with in his life, and he is conflicted.
Earlier in the episode, we see Richard Armitage in the beginning of his “Becoming” into the “Red Dragon,” as he watches the horror he inflicted upon the Leeds family on his video projector. But the question is: how will his fascination with Reba affect his perfectly laid out plans to complete his transformation?
Richard Armitage is proving he is a force to be reckoned with when he’s on-screen, and with all that was going on in Hannibal episode 309, it’s not an easy task. We also saw Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Dr. Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) reunited, as the former is desperate for help in stopping the serial killer. Freddie Lounds is back, as was Abigail in a freaky flashback to Season 1.
We were left with the first interaction between Dolarhyde and Lecter, when the Doctor receives a call from who he is told is his attorney. The serial killer is a fan of Hannibal and tells him he is honored that he has taken an interest in his doings. Hannibal asks Dolarhyde what he is becoming and we hear Richard Armitage’s distinctive voice saying, “The Great Red Dragon.”
I cannot get enough of Richard Armitage as Dolarhyde. I mean, it’s incredible. His physicality, the way he embodies the character and truly becomes him; it’s the essence of the character. Plus, he has several episodes to flesh out that performance. Perfect actor to have chosen for this role. Armitage rules – I am now a believer!
Fans of Red Dragon will be pleased to find that Francis Dolarhyde’s job as a courier to a film lab remains unchanged, despite the updating of the series’ time frame. The real heart of this episode is the interactions between Dolarhyde and Reba McClane (Rutina Wesley), a blind woman who works in the darkroom that supplies him with the film on which he shoots his murders. Although there are many logistical questions as to why a serial killer would prefer to use film rather than digital (Dolarhyde simply states that he doesn’t like the format), the series brushes it off in favor of fidelity to the source material, as well as interesting character setup. Rutina Wesley is an absolute delight as Reba, finding a heart in this emotionally stunted man that of which he is is barely aware. The scenes between her and Armitage strike a remarkable balance between sweet and suspenseful, playing to the best of both actor’s talents.
Richard Armitage in particular is a revelation here—last episode didn’t give him much of a chance to do anything else besides stare ominously and writhe in emotional agony—because he starts to peel back the layers of this character and reveal some glimpses at the insecurities that drive him, which Reba keenly points out, since she worked as a speech therapist. Without a wasted word, Armitage is a magnetic presence, matching an iron stare with a stuttering mumble of a speech pattern to great effect. This may prove a relief to some who thought this version of the Tooth Fairy would be simply a psychotic Thorin Oakenshield with a fiendish overbite. Throughout his half of the episode, we get inside Dolarhyde’s head in a way we haven’t with any other character in the show, save Will. Paradoxically, Dolarhyde demands both sympathy and fear from the audience to work as a character. He is a torn monster that Thomas Harris couldn’t recapture in any of the antagonists in his following novels. According to series creator Bryan Fuller, we have already seen one of Dolarhyde’s murders before—the very opening scene of the series, in fact. Time will tell if this little detail comes back, but as this episode proves, Hannibal is not a show that wastes its crime scenes.
Episode 9:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-URxibUVVkg
Episode 10:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV4mdJ2mUiI
Going of the promo I think there is going to be more of RA in Episode 10. FD picks Will up like a ragdoll in scene in the lift. But it looks like there is more tender scenes between him and Reba as well. Especially going off this tweet from the Delaurentiis Co.
https://twitter.com/DeLaurentiisCo/status/628251434497146882
Some great pictures in here.
http://www.popsugar.co.uk/celebrity/Gorgeous-Photos-British-Actor-Richard-Armitage-38027695#photo-38027695
Some nice pictures and gifs in here as well.
http://www.star2.com/entertainment/tv/2015/08/05/richard-armitage-assumes-the-role-of-the-tooth-fairy-in-hannibal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59yhETS7mP8&feature=youtu.be
shareAbsolutely freaky! Thanks Laura. I still don't dare watch Hannibal, though.
shareAbsolutely freaky! Thanks Laura. I still don't dare watch Hannibal, though.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/352195633337746818/
sharehttps://instagram.com/p/6Ial_-hPtd/
shareThanks Laura. That was lovely. Russell C does things like that,I've read many stories. Richard is sweet. Why is he in this business? My favorite actors are the ones who are the least movie star-ish. Down to earth, real, not selfish. 👍
shareThanks Laura. " I am sensitive", aww, sweet thing. Nice little gif of Guy and "Come home to me." A rare moment of Guy being his real self. Marian makes him want to be himself. But when hes with the sheriff, he changes. I just watched the Walkabout episode in season 2 and it might be my favorite of the series. Go Guy.
shareYou're welcome Wendy. In some ways I see similarities between Guy and Dolarhyde. Both cruel characters who fall in love. Interestingly RA says at the start of that SoundCloud interview (and in another I read) that in some ways he finds Guy more despicable. Not that he is condoning Dolarhyde's actions but just that he can see there is a deformity in him which has caused him to act in the way he does because of the trauma and abuse he suffered as a child.
Here are a couple of reviews of Episode 10.
https://fathersonholygore.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/hannibal-season-three-episode-ten-and-the-woman-clothed-in-sun/
Perhaps one of my favourite moments of the entire episode is when Francis takes Reba to see the tiger who is under medication for surgery. There’s this part where Reba is touching all the way up to the tiger’s face, the music is so tense and suspenseful as if we might get a crazy dream sequence where Reba gets her hand bitten off, and Francis has this look on his face, he’s almost biting his own hand, then nothing happens and Reba goes on touching the big animal, rubbing its fur. Just shows how much of a fixation Francis has on mouths, teeth, et cetera, he could barely even handle seeing Reba touch an animal’s mouth. So intriguing and also had my heart rate pumping a few times.
How many times can I say it? Richard Armitage is doing a superb job with the character of Francis Dolarhyde. I mean, I’m a massive fan of Ralph Fiennes – total nut for the guy’s filmography, but still… I think because of his performance, and plus the ability to play the character in a handful of episodes as opposed to a single two hour film, Armitage has the advantage here. There’s something about his quiet physicality. It moves me, honestly. Even in the beginning when he’s practicing certain sounds, making sure he can sound appropriate enough to make it through so he can speak to Hannibal, I felt this insanely vulnerable feeling for Dolarhyde. Not that he doesn’t scare me at certain times, but Armitage truly makes me feel bad for the guy. The other incarnations – both Fiennes and also Tom Noonan – really came across with the insane aspects of the character; they didn’t overdo things, they just played it quite well on that end. With Armitage, I’m impressed by how he brings out that vulnerability and the traumatic past so much better. It’s really something to revel in. So glad he was chosen to play this part because even if someone else could’ve done a decent job, Armitage is making Dolarhyde one of the best villains ever on television. The essence of a sympathetic killer, if there ever was one.
P.S. The love making scene between Francis and Reba went insanely well. I love how those types of scenes in this series come out as these trippy, psychedelic affairs, which keeps up with the whole weird aesthetic Hannibal has going on.
We’re seeing more and more now that struggle of Dolarhyde against the Great Red Dragon, bursting inside him, calling out from the painting, telling him to kill. Because now, the Dragon wants Reba, it does not need that side of Francis clogging things up. The pain, the sound in Francis’ head returns, but he wants to overpower it. No matter how strong the feeling that he is becoming, Francis clearly does feel something for Reba.
Richard Armitage transformed into “The Great Dragon” in a riveting episode of the cancelled NBC series Hannibal, titled “And the Woman Clothed in Sun.”
Fans were anticipating Richard Armitage’s complete transformation into the beast after they got a little peek last week, and they weren’t disappointed. The British actor clearly stole the night, and those who have followed him for a long time couldn’t be happier that the rest of us now realize what an incredible talent this man is.
But this wasn’t just about Richard Armitage transforming into the terrifying “Red Dragon” — it was also about serial killer Francis Dolarhyde’s awakening. His relationship with Reba McClane (Rutina Wesley) entered the next level, so to speak, and Dolarhyde experienced something he had never had before.
As things get more intense in the chase for the serial killer — who has brutally murdered two families during a full moon — time is running out for Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), who unbeknownst to him is getting closer to finding Dolarhyde than he thinks. Meanwhile, the friendship between Reba and Francis is evolving, and the episode starts with a mesmerizing scene in which he takes her to the zoo to visit a tiger who is sleeping before tooth surgery.
Sexy wouldn’t begin to describe the scene between Richard Armitage and Rutina Wesley, as the blind woman uses her hands to feel the beautiful animal she cannot see. Francis is entranced and probably shocked at what he is feeling and how these feelings for Reba are affecting his well laid out plans to continue his murderous spree.
The challenge for showrunner Bryan Fuller is to convey all that Richard Armitage’s character was feeling onto the screen, and it is safe to say he was successful. The scene in which Reba and Francis are intimate for the first time is one of the most original things we have seen on TV lately. It’s not just about sex, but an experience that this grown man has never imagined to be possible and his struggle with “the beast” was heartbreaking to witness.
Earlier in the episode, as Francis talks to his idol, Dr. Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), Richard Armitage transforms into the “Red Dragon” before our eyes (ironic that Armitage was chasing the beast in The Hobbit). In all its horrific glory, Dolarhyde imagines what he would look like as the dragon spews fire, displaying all his power.
Richard Armitage transformed into the “Red Dragon,” and audiences paid attention. The 42-year-old actor also spoke more than in any other episode, and it was masterful in a role unlike anything the talented actor has ever done before. The scene in which he is shown practicing his speech is perfect. Why did NBC cancel this series again?
I loved the 2 paragraphs you highlighted. All these reviewers should see him in North and S and Robin Hood. " Armitage truly makes me feel bad for the guy." Yep. Richard did this in R.Hood, he made me feel. Guy was safe in the castle, but he wasnt happy there. Emotionless, a robot, just doing his job. Then he meets Marian. Oh heck, thats another thread, so..
I dont really like the show , Hannibal, but I'm enjoying watching Richard. And his body, ohmygod.
The longtime fans, I'm thinking they are feeling happy about all this.
Yes, he is really good at making a bad guy sympathetic by portraying his vulnerabilities so well. He did it with Guy and he is doing it again with Dolarhyde. His performance is making him a lot of new fans.
And his body, ohmygod.
The longtime fans, I'm thinking they are feeling happy about all this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrmJBkqwVc
shareThanks Laura. He is smart, I like listening to him.
shareThis topic says news, photos, etc. So here is some ect. LOL
Although acting in two different series, which father and son did RA work with?
Is it Alun and Joe Armstrong.
shareI had no clue Genie so I just looked up Alun Armstrong and I'm surprised to see Laura, that it is that butler from Branchaster castle (DAS5-CS) - Stowell! LOL.
And then I saw this when I looked up his son, Joe Armstrong: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1006297/mediaviewer/rm2035925248
I didn't know Froggatt was in Robin Hood too...LOL.
Can't get much past Laura. LOL
I did a piece on my site about acting families and started with those two.
RA worked with father in Sparkhouse and then a year later in Between the Sheets.
Of course RA spent 3 years with the son in Robin Hood.
Good job, Laura.
Of course RA spent 3 years with the son in Robin Hood.
Good job, Laura.
Whilst trying to find RA reading 'She Walks in Beauty' which had been quoted by Birds in one of her wonderful stories. I found it and the other poems on 'Dailymotion'. I thought it would be good to have the link here.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2if6fr
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/723822534639017984
I wonder what RA is doing next? I haven't heard anything yet.
Well he is catching up with some actress friends in the UK.
https://twitter.com/carlinorris/status/723910438396768256
RA is No. 9. I think Paul Newman deserves to be No. 1.
http://getlisty.net/p/5722c1de89862210781b507f
btw Nice to see SH at No. 5 with a cute poem. LOL!
Emmy Predictions from Feinberg Forecast in 'The Hollywood Reporter' lists Richard as a MAJOR THREAT in the Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series category for Hannibal.
Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series:
FRONTRUNNERS
Hank Azaria (Ray Donovan)
Michael J. Fox (The Good Wife)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead)
Jon Cryer (NCIS)
Denis O'Hare (The Good Wife)
B.D. Wong (Mr. Robot)
MAJOR THREATS
Elliott Gould (Ray Donovan)
Richard Armitage (Hannibal)
Jon Tenney (Scandal)
Blair Underwood (The Good Wife)
POSSIBILITIES
Alex Karpovsky (Law & Order: SVU)
Robert Wagner (NCIS)
Jerry Ferrara (Power)
LONG SHOTS
Brian Stokes Mitchell (The Path)
Clark Middleton (The Path)
Julian McMahon (Hunters)
I had no clue Genie so I just looked up Alun Armstrong and I'm surprised to see Laura, that it is that butler from Branchaster castle (DAS5-CS) - Stowell! LOL.
The first time I saw him was last year, he was Thorin and he had that big costume on, the hair and all that. Then I look at him here and its like its a different actor, how can it be the same man. And his body is just..well.. I need a fan. *plugs fan in*
shareThen I look at him here and its like its a different actor, how can it be the same man.
A couple more brilliant reviews. This time of Episode 11. I will just quote the RA bits.
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/hannibal-and-the-beast-from-the-sea/?utm_content=buffer906f1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Of particular note (yet again) was Richard Armitage’s performance as the increasingly tragic figure of Francis Dolarhyde, the titular Great Red Dragon.
I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but oh my, Richard Armitage. To fully embody such an enigmatic, strange character and make him such a stand-out in only a handful of episodes is really an achievement. On top of that, the Red Dragon has been portrayed several times before and yet Armitage’s performance still manages to impress.
Armitage continually proves he has the chops. Incredible actor. Not only is the physicality he’s bringing to the role of Francis Dolarhyde marvellous, the gentle and quiet way in which he portrays the madness of Dolarhyde is a revelation. Again, as I’ve said before, I love both Tom Noonan and Ralph Fiennes in their respective performances – Manhunter and Red Dragon – however, it’s Armitage who is able to bring the full scope of emotions, the density of the torment and suffering inside the character into our eyes right before us.
Richard Armitage Shines In Thrilling ‘Hannibal’ Episode ‘And The Beast From The Sea’
Richard Armitage shined in the heart-stopping, full of action, edge-of-your-seat Hannibal episode Saturday night, and if you were live tweeting with the show executives, it was also pretty entertaining.
Hannibal has been cancelled by NBC, however, showrunner Bryan Fuller is proving that perhaps it was not the best decision. Many are still shocked that a show with such impressive cast and stunning visuals will no longer be around next season.
However, this doesn’t mean there is no thrilling action, as the latest episode titled, “And The Beast From The Sea” proved. British actor Richard Armitage took his portrayal of Francis Dolarhyde/Red Dragon to a whole new level, and fans were thrilled.
There’s no question that the star of Saturday’s Hannibal episode was Richard Armitage — who made serial killer Francis Dolarhyde even more of a sympathetic figure, instead of a hated character because of the despicable criminal he really is. If you have not watched this episode yet, we warn you, spoilers are coming.
The evolution of Francis and Reba’s relationship has Richard Armitage’s character clearly struggling. He is falling in love for the first time in his life, and at the same time, he doesn’t want to hurt her. Reba is special. Otherwise, the Red Dragon would have already destroyed her. Francis clearly realizes this, but she is also interfering with his carefully laid out plans to become the Red Dragon.
But what was so stunning about Richard Armitage in Hannibal’s latest episode was that he truly exploited the arc of his troubled character. The 43-year-old actor put all the different and terrifying personalities that make up Francis into action, and it was simply breathtaking. It was explained on Twitter that Armitage did those handstand pushups unassisted multiple times. Some other interesting tidbits were shared by sound department staffer Sean Armstrong on Twitter.
Francis beats himself up — literally — for getting involved with Reba, and in his twisted mind, holds a session on Doctor Lecter’s (Mads Mikkelsen) couch trying to put his feelings into words.
Armitage was also the ruthless killer for the first time, going after investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and his family. The edge-of-your-seat encounter leaves his wife Molly (Nina Arianda) in the hospital, having barely escaped the crazed murderer, and now she even doubts that she and Will can be together.
Richard Armitage shined, proving he is the man for Fuller and executive producer Martha de Laurentiis. There is little doubt any other actor could have gone trough this transformation in such an impressive manner. After Reba kicks him out in a heartbreaking scene, Francis is a man on a mission. His Becoming is here, and viewers certainly got a good taste of what Richard Armitage is all about. Impressive stuff indeed.
Episode 11:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED4XT9chbPc
Episode 12:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biVFOYT-9Xk
ETA
NBC Promo for Episode 12.
http://nbchannibal.tumblr.com/post/127087374004/make-your-way-through-the-inferno-saturday-at
Francis Dolarhyde among 10 Best New Characters of Summer 2015
http://www.tv.com/news/best-new-tv-characters-summer-2015-143985929272/
We asked the TV.com writers for their picks for best new characters from the summer season and compiled the best answers in this quick list below. They could be new characters on returning shows or new characters on new shows. All that mattered was they were new! And on TV! Have a look and then contribute your own in the comments section.
Francis Dolarhyde, Hannibal
Hannibal's take on Francis Dolarhyde has been a long-awaited event, and it hasn't disappointed. The show wisely played up Dolarhyde's inner-conflict with the Great Red Dragon, emphasizing his split nature as a man ready for the freedom the Dragon represents but torn by the sensation of love Reba grants him. He's a damaged victim of inner demons, much like Will Graham, who has found some measure of solace in the arms of an understanding woman but, unlike Will, doesn't know how to keep her safe from the demons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZQC8hVFn9E
share24 Facts That'll Help You Get to Know Birthday Boy Richard Armitage
We've already taken a look at some of his hottest red carpet moments, but now it's time to learn a little bit more about Richard Armitage, the tall, dark, and handsome actor who won our hearts in North & South, took us on a wonderful journey in The Hobbit, and scared us silly in Hannibal. As the dashing star celebrates his birthday, here are some fun facts to help you learn a little more about the man behind those myriad characters!
1. Richard doesn't like talking about his age, so let's just say he was born on 22 August.
2. He grew up in a village near Leicester, England, with his parents and an older brother.
3. His mum was a secretary, and his dad worked as an engineer.
4. There were no artists in Richard's family, and he took his initial steps in the area of art when he was taken to dance classes because of his pigeon toes.
5. He developed a strong interest in music and dance and pestered his parents to send him to Pattison College in Coventry, a secondary school dedicated to performing arts.
6. Richard describes his teenage self as "a beanpole with a nose I hadn't grown into." Indeed, at 6'2" the handsome Brit tends to tower over his castmates — and prefers to slink into the background when it comes to photos.
7. Like a fairy-tale story, Richard actually joined a circus when he was 17 and spent a Summer throwing batons at jugglers in Budapest. "At the time you needed an Equity card in order to work, this was my way into the business", he said.
8. His first job after the circus was a role in Cats, and Richard fondly remembers playing a seaweed in a video for Sarah Brightman.
9. However, dance was not where Richard saw his future, and he snagged a place in the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art where Oscar nominees David Oyelowo and Benedict Cumberbatch were his contemporaries.
10. His first foray into film sounds impressive: Richard was in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace — playing the third Naboo fighter on the right. "I'm in one of those blooming white outfits with my face covered up."
11. Richard's big break — and first contact with the adoring (and mostly female) public — came with the BBC's 2004 period drama North & South where he portrayed the haughty-yet-crushworthy mill owner John Thornton against reluctant love interest Margaret Hale played by Daniela Denby-Ashe.
12. Richard's initial communication with fans is the stuff of legend: When he joined the BBC message board that had been set up for the discussion of North & South, the website crashed under the number of visitors. He continued to communicate with fans through messages on fan websites which he published at irregular intervals.
However, it took him another 10 years to finally debut on social media where he now regularly posts selfies on Twitter — to the delight of his fans, known as the Armitage Army.
13. Despite Richard's fear of water, his characters tend to get wet a lot — unless the filmmakers are pandering to the audience's lust for wet shirts. "I have a fear of drowning, and I read each script and think, 'Great, no nudity, no water, phew!' But then in the rewrite the director will suddenly go, 'I have a great scene where you dive to the bottom of a swimming pool!'"
14. In 2012, Richard's mum accompanied him to the royal premiere of The Hobbit in London.
15. Known for his meticulous research of his roles, Richard likes to write detailed backstories for his characters. "I'd like to ask J.R.R. Tolkien if Thorin had a love interest," he once revealed.
16. Last year Richard sold out London's Old Vic theatre for his run as the flawed but principled protagonist of The Crucible, and Richard delighted the public by attending the stage door almost every night of the play.
17. Richard is fundraising for a number of charities and has recently become ambassador for the anti-cyberbullying charity Cybersmile Foundation.
18. In a blog post for Cybersmile, he disclosed that the cause was close to his heart because "it’s taken me a long time to shake off the effects of bullying in school."
19. Richard plays the cello, the guitar, and the flute and has a chocolatey baritone singing voice that could be heard on the "Misty Mountain" song used in The Hobbit . .
20. Talking of chocolate, Richard's favourite dessert is chocolate ice cream.
21.The multitalented thesp can also draw, kind of. A doodle of his recently fetched $4,350 in a charity auction.
22. Richard's first reaction to playing the new villain currently appearing on Sky Living's Hannibal, Francis Dolarhyde, was "I am going to have some quite dark nightmares!"
23. Dreaming in character is one of the by-products the method-acting thespian has had to endure for his craft in the past, too: The Hobbit's Thorin Oakenshield, Strike Back's John Porter, and John Proctor from The Crucible have all visited Richard in his dreams.
24. Richard's recipe for life? "Chocolate ice cream. Treat others as you would want to be treated. And lots of chocolate ice cream."
I love number 24 on the popsugar list. And aww, those tweets were kind.
And when are we going to see him play the cello and guitar in a movie...
I hope Richard has a fun birthday with 🎂 and chocolate 🍦
Number 13 made me laugh. He has said that before about water scenes suddenly appearing in scripts when they weren't there before.
ETA: I don't remember him saying that he checked scripts for nudity though. But that made me laugh as well. I wonder what he thought when he got the 'Hannibal' scripts and saw that he would be spending a lot of time either naked or semi naked.
I love chocolate ice cream as well.
All brilliant again. Here is a couple.
http://411mania.com/movies/hannibal-review-3-12-the-number-of-the-beast-is-666/
Richard Armitage gets a lot more screen time this week as Dolarhyde and he continues to kill it. I know the Emmys have avoided the show like the plague but is there no way we can’t get him some sort of nomination for his work here? He’s outacting everyone, Hugh Dancy included, at this point. I was on the fence before, but I truly think he has the best version of Dolarhyde, beating both Tom Noonan and Ralph Fiennes.
Richard Armitage is a blessing. I love to see a role that’s already classic to so many film fans/book readers become a fresh, new vision in the arms of an actor. It just goes to show that many of these modern literary characters and villains we come to enjoy and love so much are similar to stage characters – just as actors, like Armitage and many others who have graced the stage before and continue to do so, play the characters of Shakespeare over and over yet actors bring new things to the role, nowadays actors on television and film can do the same. We have people like Hannibal Lecter, Francis Dolarhyde, and so many more (I won’t go on with all the great literary characters brought to life in film/television – you know there are tons). Here, we get to see Armitage bring that type of sensibility to the small screen. That’s a huge reason of why I love Hannibal, we get highly gifted actors like Armitage, Mikkelsen, and Dancy tackling these well-known characters and giving them new life.
I’ve mentioned earlier that Armitage manages to play some of the Red Dragon’s more over-the-top behavior in a way that still somehow manages to keep the horror of the listener/reader intact. It’s really a marvel to watch, and a lot of this success is owed to his total committal to the character — Armitage doesn’t hold back in the slightest, therefore the character is truly believable in his madness, and therefore he is realistically terrifying.
Over the past five weeks, Armitage has demonstrated himself to be an actor capable of both great menace and sensitivity. Here, we get “menace” levels turned to 11.
Very scary gif of FD after the mention of RA.
http://www.thetvjunkies.com/our-favourite-things-about-summer-tv-in-2015/?utm_content=buffer504df&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Richard Armitage’s performance on Hannibal
One of the worst things about NBC banishing Hannibal to Saturday nights to run through the remainder of its Season 3 episodes is that not enough attention is being paid to Richard Armitage’s performance as Francis Dolarhyde, aka the Red Dragon. Armitage is terrifying, menacing and downright hard to watch at times–which we mean in the absolute best way possible. In the hands of another actor this character could easily become cartoonish or over the top, but Armitage makes his madness believable and brings a whole new level of horror to an already terrifying show.
I prefer the music from the other one, but this the 'official' trailer and it says it is 'coming soon'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUwiZ3vid9I
One lovely one from Martha De Laurentiis.
https://twitter.com/neoprod/status/637824882332594176
And RA tweets his thanks.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/637646675935268864
Richard Armitage wowed audiences during Saturday night’s Hannibal finale where his character, The Red Dragon, went out with a bang.
Most film connoisseurs know Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal Lecter), Hugh Dancy (Will Graham), and the rest of the talented cast can act and then some, but many didn’t even know who Richard Armitage was before he starred as serial killer Francis Dolarhyde. In his twisted mind, the crazed man thought he was the mythical Red Dragon he had seen in a painting, but the media knew him as The Tooth Fairy, and it didn’t make Francis happy.
Throughout Season 3 of Hannibal, Richard Armitage proved that showrunner Bryan Fuller made the right choice when he cast him as Dolarhyde. According to the 44-year-old British actor, he had the liberty of making the character his own, and boy, did he go above and beyond.
Regardless of the inevitable ending to his run on the cancelled NBC show’s finale, viewers were entranced by the transformation they saw before their eyes during the second half of Hannibal. Armitage not only wowed audiences on Saturday night, but seemed to be the focus of much discussion any time he was on-screen, because he was usually doing things we don’t see on TV every day.
When we first met Francis — the character based on Thomas Harris’ novel, Red Dragon — he was almost benign, and Richard Armitage did a masterful job making us feel sorry for him instead of hating Dolarhyde for slaughtering entire families by acting out delusional fantasies.
Then he meets blind co-worker, Reba McClane (Rutina Wesley), and their budding relationship in turn makes audiences feel even more compelled towards liking The Red Dragon. For the first few episodes, Richard Armitage managed to almost convince that, perhaps, he could be reformed by what he felt for Reba. However, when he reminds himself he is meant to be the brutal serial killer, Dolarhyde shows his true, terrifying colors.
It was heartbreaking to see Francis turn from the almost loving partner to Reba, to someone who terrorized her and used her for his nefarious scheme. Wesley is equally brilliant in the finale, and we feel really sorry for her predicament. Falling in love with “D” was a bad idea.
Following the Twitter feed on Saturday nights was always interesting, especially when Fuller or executive producer Martha De Laurentiis shared some interesting insight. We heard how Richard Armitage was instructed to move in that last, heartbreaking scene and he delivered, and then some.
This was a multifaceted and physically demanding role for Richard Armitage. He didn’t just have to play one character, but two, and we saw the incredible transformation, especially in the latter episodes, when The Red Dragon fully manifested itself. One of the things that Armitage was able to master was the lisp, for which he studied videos of real people with cleft palates extensively and even came up with plastic piece for his mouth to make it more realistic. Who does that?
If you didn’t know Richard Armitage before he starred in Hannibal, you certainly know who he is now.
Going off these tweets it looks like RA might be doing a new audiobook of David Copperfield.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/641311431976206337
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/641312041064656896
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/641312104293793792
There have been rumours about this because of who he has been following on Twitter but now it has been confirmed.
http://deadline.com/2015/09/richard-armitage-michelle-forbes-cast-epix-series-berlin-station-1201521771/
Richard Armitage To Topline Epix Series ‘Berlin Station’, Michelle Forbes Co-Stars
Richard Armitage (The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, Hannibal) has been tapped as the lead in Berlin Station, Epix ‘s 10-part contemporary spy series from Paramount TV and Anonymous Content. Also cast in the drama was The Killing‘s Michelle Forbes.
Berlin Station follows Daniel Meyer (Armitage ), a newly anointed case officer who has arrived at the CIA foreign station in Berlin to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a whistleblower. Guided by jaded veteran, Case Officer Hector DeJean (Rhys Ifans) — a darkly charming, tenacious agent who works for Chief Steven Frost (Richard Jenkins) — Daniel learns to contend with the rough-and-tumble world of the field agent — agent-running, deception, the dangers and moral compromises. Forbes plays Valerie Edwards, the no-nonsense administrator who serves as a Berlin Station Section Head.
Hannibal's Richard Armitage Cast as Lead, The Killing's Michelle Forbes to Co-Star in EPIX Spy Dramashare
Fresh off his toothy stint on Hannibal, Richard Armitage is pulling into Berlin Station, EPIX’ upcoming 10-part contemporary spy drama, TVLine has learned.
Additionally, Michelle Forbes (The Killing, True Blood) has joined the ensemble.
Armitage will play the starring role of Daniel Meyer, the cerebral, newly-anointed CIA case officer who goes from being an analyst at Langley to an undercover agent in Berlin tasked with finding an informant. Forbes, meanwhile, will portray Valerie Edwards, the no-nonsense administrator who serves as a Berlin Station Section Head.
The pair join previously announced cast members Richard Jenkins (Olive Kitteridge) and Rhys Ifans (Elementary).
Best-selling spy novelist Olen Steinhauer will pen the series and serve as an EP alongside Michaël Roskam (Bullhead, The Drop) and showrunner Brad Winters (Dig, Boss).
He'll be coming to Berlin then for filming? How exciting!
shareHe'll be coming to Berlin then for filming? How exciting!
‘Hannibal’ Alum Richard Armitage to Star in Epix Spy Series ‘Berlin Station’
Fresh off the heels of “Hannibal,” Richard Armitage has been cast to topline “Berlin Station,” the upcoming original spy series for Epix.
Armitage will star as Daniel Meyer, the cerebral, newly-anointed CIA case officer who goes from being an analyst at Langley to an undercover agent in Berlin tasked with finding an informant.
Michelle Forbes (“The Killing,” “True Blood,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2”) has also been cast in the 10-episode thriller. She will play Valerie Edwards, the no-nonsense administrator who serves as a Berlin Station Section Head.
“We are very happy to have found our ‘Daniel’ to join this incredible ensemble cast,” said Mark S. Greenberg, president and CEO of EPIX. “Richard is a singular talent who has the presence and attitude to bring this character and story to life. We are also honored that Michelle has joined Berlin Station. She is a gifted actor who embodies the richness of character pivotal to the show. This venture is an exciting step in the network’s continued commitment to bringing our viewers smart, sophisticated offerings that have a broad appeal.”
“Both Richard and Michelle are enormously talented actors who exhibit an on-screen intensity and passion that viewers respond to because of their intellect and ability to let transformation overcome their characters,” added Amy Powell, president of Paramount TV, which is co-producing the series. “We are honored to have them join this stellar cast and that they will be taking on these intricate roles.”
The duo joins previously announced cast members Richard Jenkins, who will play Steven Frost, a veteran of the Cold War who serves as the CIA’s Chief of the Berlin Station; and Rhys Ifans, who will play Case Officer Hector DeJean, the darkly charming, tenacious agent who mentors Meyer (Armitage).
“Berlin Station” revolves Armitage’s Meyer, who has just arrived at the CIA foreign station in Berlin, Germany. Meyer’s mission is to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a now-famous whistleblower named Thomas Shaw. Guided by jaded veteran Hector DeJean, he learns to contend with the world of the field agent — agent-running, deception, the dangers and moral compromises. As he dives deeper into the German capital’s hall of mirrors and uncovers the threads of a conspiracy that leads back to Washington, he wonders if anyone ever be the same after a posting to Berlin.
The series hails from Paramount TV and Anonymous Content with Michaël Roskam exec producing, and directing the first two episodes of the project, which landed a straight-to-series order. Olen Steinhauer, who penned the first episode, will write the series and also exec produce, alongside Roskam, plus Eric Roth, Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Keith Redmon, Luke Rivett and Brad Winters who will also serve as showrunner.
“Berlin Station” begins production this fall, and is set to premiere in fall 2016.
http://community.ew.com/2015/09/18/ew-community-top-summer-mps/
Richard Armitage as Francis Dolarhyde, Hannibalshare
The moment he signed on to play Francis Dolarhyde, Richard Armitage shouldered the burden of Hannibal book and movie fans’ expectations. Dolarhyde was indelibly marked in many of our memories by Tom Noonan as the Red Dragon, and Ralph Fiennes put his own powerful spin on the character decades later. So the real trick was creating a Dolarhyde who was unique and just as memorable as those who came before.
Armitage shattered those expectations and brought the Red Dragon to life in singular style. His Francis Dolarhyde was both vulnerable and terrifying, and his Becoming was almost orgasmic, which made it even more exciting. His commitment to the role both mentally and physically, and his willingness to embody the character so completely, is why he gets my vote for MVP. —Geek Girl Diva
Looks like RA has arrived in Berlin to film his new series.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/646930486263181312
ETA
Or maybe not. LOL!
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/647192003944542208
Hope we get to see this interview soon.
https://twitter.com/cdmstudios/status/647509762842619904
Sounds like the book went well.
https://twitter.com/reidarms/status/647573318372036609
Little clip of RA receiving an award from Audible. This was for his 'Hamlet' audiobook.
https://twitter.com/cdmstudios/status/647817934505644032
" Its not cheesy, its awesome. " He is adorable.
Its great that hes getting all this work.
I think he likes the level of fame he has and wouldnt want to go much higher than this. Doesnt want to enter the celebrity zone.
Its great that hes getting all this work.
I think he likes the level of fame he has and wouldnt want to go much higher than this. Doesnt want to enter the celebrity zone.
RA is about to start his German language training.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/649092091285499904/photo/1
!!
I saw this on Twitter. What a hoot. I think Richard has a terrific sense of humour!
Yes, I love his funny tweets. The one about 'Uriah Heep' made me laugh as well.
Right. That's Bavarians for you.
No need to worry, though. It isn't catching...
Well I can't say anything about the dancing, when we have this over here.
http://www.oxfordshiremorris.org/uploads/2/4/3/0/2430850/6950675.gif?560x385
I can't actually open this link, but someone on the RA Board kindly quoted it.
Hullo, everyone! Sorry we've been unable to give you any information about our progress and how you can see our film. Believe us, we are as eager for you to see Urban and The Shed Crew as all of you are to see it. The film is finished - post-production was complicated - and we're actively seeking distributors. We hope we'll be able to tell you about #UrbanandtheShedCrew screenings at upcoming film festivals, and that these screenings will draw the attention and distributors we need.
Please, all of you, keep your fingers crossed for us, and we promise we'll tell you as soon as we have any news to share!
Thank you so much for your steadfast support!
Uriah Heep. I love 70's music. I grew up with 80's music but 70's music is soooo good. 🎸
I am learning more about Europe because I want to visit someday. Do Bavarians like to party, Birds? 🍻 🎵 💃 I bet Oktoberfest is a fun time. Bavaria is on my list of places I want to see. The state of Wisconsin here in America is almost like a mini Germany. I think the German immigrants liked the forests and lakes in Wisc so they settled there. My great-great-grandfather did. The words on his headstone are in German. I wonder if he learned English or just spoke German while here.
Is Richard in Berlin? Birds, keep your eyes open for a tall dark and handsome man
Ah, so maybe Urban and S.C. will be at some of the film festivals. Toronto FF is in Sept, so thats over with. Sundance is in February. Tribeca in NY has one I think. So the next step is distributors. If they dont get any, what happens to the film? Does it go to dvd?
Yeah Laura, the way we dance here, I dont think Americans should make fun of the dancing in other countries!
Well I can't say anything about the dancing, when we have this over here.
http://www.oxfordshiremorris.org/uploads/2/4/3/0/2430850/6950675.gif?560x385
Do Bavarians like to party, Birds? 🍻 🎵 💃 I bet Oktoberfest is a fun time. Bavaria is on my list of places I want to see.
Is Richard in Berlin? Birds, keep your eyes open for a tall dark and handsome man
If they dont get any, what happens to the film? Does it go to dvd?
So, Morris dancers do exist!--I always thought they were another one of Terry Pratchetts crazy inventions...
But I'm looking forward to hearing RA speak German... hoping to find something online eventually, as the show won't probably air outside the US.
Morning giggle from Birds:
See, Wendy, Bavarians are a little 'special'Actually, the rest of us is a bit miffed about how much they usurp the general image of Germans in the world... Starting with the fact that we don't all wear Lederhosen (leather bottomed trousers) .
And hearing him speak ancient French in Pilgrimage.
hope this is not a silly question, but how does "ancient" french differ from the current version?
Oh my goodness, Laura, thank you for that link but it most certainly IS complicated! For me, I'd have to hear a phrase spoken in ancient french and immediately after in modern french. I probably wouldn't notice the difference...
I wonder what kind of french my computer slips into???
I probably wouldn't notice the difference...
I wonder what kind of french my computer slips into???
I've seen quite a few of these plushies that Nancy Soares does. But I just saw this one on Twitter and thought you might like it Birds.
https://twitter.com/_sinnamin/status/651081319410180096
https://twitter.com/_sinnamin/status/651081319410180096
This is so cute! Thanks for sharing, Laura.
But what exactly is the meaning of a "schuhplattler" debut?? Translation please!
Birds, ah, so youre nowhere near Berlin. I dont think all of you wear lederhosen. I dont think all French men wear berets.
I hope people dont think all Americans are fat and stupid. We have an obesity problem here, yes. And stress. We are a mess here but some people do live healthy. We hop in the car and get some fast food and we dont have to cook. But people are waking up and realizing we are what we eat. A lot of people here are getting off gluten [white bread] and cutting down on sugar. I talked to a woman who no longer eats white bread and diet soda and she doesnt have aches and pains anymore. Her husband cut back on carbs and sugar and no more diabetes. A relative of mine eats junk food and always has and drinks diet soda and is she healthy?, no, she has several physical and mental problems.
I never hear of the Morris dancers, Laura. Maybe thats a good thing?
But what exactly is the meaning of a "schuhplattler" debut?? Translation please!
I never hear of the Morris dancers, Laura. Maybe thats a good thing?
But what exactly is the meaning of a "schuhplattler" debut?? Translation please!
I dont think all of you wear lederhosen. I dont think all French men wear berets.
I watched your video of a "Schuhplattler", Birds, plus two tutorials on YouTube. All I could think of was:
a) Good co-ordination and balance
b) Flexible "hip flexors"
c) Not terribly sexy.
It's a very mechanical "dance" isn't' it? But I found it interesting (I really did) so thanks for sharing!
I watched your video of a "Schuhplattler", Birds, plus two tutorials on YouTube. All I could think of was:
a) Good co-ordination and balance
b) Flexible "hip flexors"
c) Not terribly sexy.
It's a very mechanical "dance" isn't' it? But I found it interesting (I really did) so thanks for sharing!
Ooh, this is good, yes? Are you anywhere close to Leeds, Laura?
shareAbout 40 miles, I think. This is great news though. Hopefully it means it will get distributors now. I love that pic in the tweet as well.
ETA
Looks like it sold out already. Two more screenings though.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/653022695437680640
That's great! Great pic, too, I agree. I'd love to see this one.
shareThanks Laura. He probably got to be a kid again jumping around in that thing. I want to see this film. So Leeds has a f.festival. Does your city have one Laura ?
I wonder if it will come here. Or maybe they just want it to stay in England. It all has to be exciting for the filmmaker.
Maybe Richard will be at this festival?
I read more there at the filmmakers twitter. She cares about the environment.👍 I like her tweets about bees. The bees issue is getting worse. People have been concerned for years but more people are paying attention now. And she doesnt like plastic. Smart lady.
Does your city have one Laura ?
Maybe Richard will be at this festival?
Richard is up again Henry Cavill in the first round and is doing well considering HC was the winner in their recent poll with 31% of the vote and RA is a wildcard entry.
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainment/articles/2015-10/07/next-james-bond-idris-elba-tom-hardy
Looks like the Manchester fest was in July. "See you there' sounds like he will be there.
shareHe's trailing at about 43% now.
He's trailing at about 43% now.
[deleted]
This is a fun interview and a bit naughty.
He is such a great sport. I wonder if Daniel Craig would have answered that ‘hairy a*se’ question? He did a very awkward interview over here this week where he shut down the interviewer for asking him to pout. LOL!
I had to laugh at him cheating on the 'How much is a pint milk' question, only to have it backfire when he got the question wrong anyway. LOL!
http://wastingyourgum.tumblr.com/post/132027437433/hey-triple-r-porn-look-who-i-found-waiting-for
A few articles are surfacing ahead of the Leeds Film Festival.
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/what-s-on/arts-entertainment/tales-from-the-mean-streets-of-leeds-1-7544564
Tales from the mean streets of Leeds
A film about a boy from Leeds growing up on the wrong side of the tracks has finally made it to the big screen. Lindsay Pantry reports
When former social worker Bernard Hare, who was born and brought up in Leeds, wrote his deeply personal memoir detailing his startling experiences with a gang in the 1990s, it became one of the year’s most compelling and best-selling books.
Now it has been vividly brought to the screen, filmed on the very streets that inspired it, starring The Hobbit actor Richard Armitage, Neil Morrisey and Anna Friel, and a group of mainly unknown young actors.
But while the real events that inspired the book took place more than 20 years ago, the film’s director and producer, the award-winning Candida Brady and Hare say its core themes are just as relevant today in a post-recession, Big Society, cut-back Britain.
Hare, now 57, was living on one of East Leed’s roughest estates and had abandoned a promising career as a social worker when he first came into contact with Urban, the then 12-year-old son of a woman he had an on-off relationship with.
Even with his experiences of hard-living, he was shocked by the life Urban - real name Lee Kirton - was living. Not registered at school and with a dangerous solvent habit, his average day was spent sitting around a bonfire with his mates smoking drugs and stealing cars. Eventually, it was the friendship and support offered by Hare to Urban and his friends, know as the Shed Crew, that pulled them through, and 20 years on many now have successful jobs and families.
Hare’s book chronicling their friendship, which ultimately led to the writer adopting Kirton, Urban and the Shed Crew, was described by The Observer as ‘another City of God, this time for Britain rather than Brazil’ and sold 50,000 copies.
Brady had initially tried to secure the film rights to the book soon after its release, but contracts had already been signed. That film however, was never made, and it was only a chance remembering of the book in September 2012 that led her to contacting Hare, and ultimately bringing the film to life.
She was promoting Trashed, her award-winning documentary on the effects of the global waste problem starring Jeremy Irons, in New York at the time when she approached Hare.
“I’d never forgotten the warmth and observation in Bernie’s writing, and it suddenly came back to me,” she said. “It was amazing to me that nobody had already done it.
“It was such an extraordinary and horrifying story, but with a sense of humour while dealing with such horrible circumstances.”
She met up with Hare, and members of the Shed Crew, and they began working on a script. It brought in elements that took place after the timeline of the book, and filming started in March 2014.
Brady, who gave the film the tagline, ‘it only takes one person to care’, said the film’s core themes of deprivation, struggle and despair are still relevant.
“Sadly we now watching a repeat of the exact same thing happening today. You only have to look at what is happening with Tax Credits. Poverty is a syndrome. The statistics on the numbers of people using foodbanks is shocking, and yet we throw away 50 per cent of our what food we make which children are starving.
“I have teacher friends who are bringing in food for their pupils. We are not a third world country, this shouldn’t be happening.
“Childhood should be sacred. Urban’s story was one of the most shocking. No child should go through that, particularly one born in England.”
For Hare, the outlet of the suffering experienced by young people today may be different to how it was expressed by Kirton in the 1990s, but the root cause is the same.
“Back then, the kids were stealing cars all over the place,” he said. “There’s not quite the disorder there was then but there is still the suffering and the poverty behind the scenes. I think the story is still very relevant.”
Writing the screenplay with the benefits of 2015 technology was a different task to writing the book for Hare, who then, “would write into the middle of the night on a typewriter, only stopping when the old lady in the flat below would start hitting the ceiling with her broom.”
Kirton, 32 and living in Leeds, and other members of ‘the crew’ were heavily involved in production, helping scout locations, advising on filming, and some making use of their professional skills now. The film was shot entirely in Leeds, in some of the very spots the Shed Crew spent their days - and nights, sleeping rough.
Hare said: “One of the lads now has a security firm, so he was given the security contract in the film, another, Sparky in the book, he does aerials and Sky dishes, so every morning before filming started on a street, he’d take down the Sky dishes, and every night he’d put them back up.
“All the kids in the book now are grown up now, most with their own kids. There’s still some issues, but we’ve stayed together as a family. They look to me as their dad.”
Hare is still writing and regularly appears on BBC Radio 4.
“I’m starting writing Urban 2, but I’m much more aware now of how these things affect people’s lives now, so it’s a challenge. They all feel part of it” he said. “There are no shocks for them with the film.”
The film’s young stars, many working professionally for the first time, had a harrowing subject to take on, but Brady said they responded brilliantly, particularly Fraser Kelly, the Scunthorpe-born actor who plays Urban.
Brady said: “He was extraordinary. I knew the moment I heard him read he was right. It was an incredibly challenging part, and Fraser is a very sensitive chap. Not many kids would be able to take on such a huge undertaking.”
The film is being supported by the charity Action for Children, which has been working across Yorkshire for over two decades to support young people.
Chief executive Sir Tony Hawkhead said:“Although the film is set over twenty years ago, its core theme of neglect and the desperate need for early action to avoid families spiralling into crisis is just as important today. We see examples of chaotic lives like these on a daily basis. The good news is that because of our frontline work, we also see the truth in the film’s central message of hope.”
Richard Armitage, who plays Chop, the character based on Hare, was so moved by the experience of filming that he began a fundraising page for the charity, which has so far raised more than £3,000.
Armitage, whose father grew up in Leeds, said he hoped the film raised awareness of the charity’s work.
He said: “Filming Urban and the Shed Crew was a special time for me as I saw more of Leeds than ever before; it opened my eyes to the continuing struggle of families such as Urban’s who fight for a decent life on a daily basis.”
For more information, visit actionforchildren.org.uk
share
Bernard Hare’s Urban and The Shed Crew Comes to the Screen and LIFF
With the film adaptation of Bernard Hare’s staggering memoir, Urban and The Shed Crew, about to show at the 29th Leeds International Film Festival, Hare and one of the film’s stars, Richard Armitage have set up Just Giving pages to help raise funds for worthy causes associated with the film’s subject matter.
A hard living, disillusioned, ex social worker becomes the unlikely saviour to an anarchic gang of joy-riding, drug taking, thieving, out of control, care home runaways.
Eleven-year old Urban Grimshaw is Britains’ most runaway child, he’s even been on TV’s Crimewatch. His mother is a junkie and his father might as well be dead. He can’t read or write, and he doesn’t go to school. His average day is spent sitting round a bonfire with his mates smoking drugs and stealing cars. When he meets his mother’s new friend Chop’, a 37 year old, disillusioned, ex-social worker also living on society’s margins, on one of Leeds’ roughest estates, the two become firm friends.
But even ‘Chop’ with his own penchant for drink, drugs and hard living is shocked by the state of Urban’s life. After much soul searching, he resolves to clean up his own act and do his utmost to save the kid. But as their friendship deepens, Urban introduces him to the Shed Crew – the anarchic gang of kids between the ages of ten and fourteen; joy-riding, thieving runaways, no strangers to drugs or sex and it’s only then that we see exactly how long the road to civilization really is.
When ex-social worker Bernard Hare turned his startling experiences with a group of young delinquents into a novel it was described as one of the year’s most compelling and best selling books. ‘Urban and the Shed Crew’ is a stunning piece of ethnography described by ‘The Guardian’ as “moving but never sanctimonious, another City of God, this time for Britain rather than Brazil.”
Great articles, glad I read them. This is the kind of story that makes me cry. Hare should pat himself on the back daily for what he did and is doing.
Laura, did you see the pic of the real Urban with the film Urban? Richard re-tweeted it and said " I love this"
Maybe Hare and real Urban and some of the kids [now adults] will be at the premiere.
I want to see this movie, but it might not be released here, might have to wait for the dvd.
Laura, did you see the pic of the real Urban with the film Urban? Richard re-tweeted it and said " I love this"
I want to see this movie, but it might not be released here, might have to wait for the dvd.
On the 'Look North' TV programme.
RA is mentioned and there are some new clips from he film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LhoXj3eJ1I
I'll look at this in a day or two..(internet usage). :)
shareThere are some good reviews from fans who saw the film yesterday over on the RA Board. Interesting that jaydall found the film more depressing than the book. I was worried they might have glamorised the story a little. It sounds like Richard gives a really raw performance. These reviews make me want to see this more than ever now.
Excerpt:
Re: Urban LIFF screenings
image for user jaydall
by jaydall
» 4 hours ago (Sat Nov 7 2015 12:19:39) Flag ▼ | Reply |
IMDb member since May 2010
... I found the film more depressing than the book but it was very well done. RA was very good indeed - as we expected - and it really shows that he has a great range. He looked very handsome in that scruffy way we have seen in the images and he dominates the screen. Anna Friel was also excellent, again showing that she has a wide range, and Fraser Kelly was marvellous too. All the local children that they chose to play the other children did a good job and I enjoyed the songs and the background music.
My favourite moment was when Chop sits around the fire and tells the children the story of King Arthur and the sword in the stone. He was totally magnetic and you could understand why the children were shown hanging on every word. One thing that didn't ring true for me: Chop says he hangs out with Chop's mother because she makes him laugh. But there was absolutely nothing funny about this woman.
A disappointing moment was when the van loses its top under the bridge. I didn't find that especially amusing as I did in the book. The comic timing seemed a bit out and nobody laughed although there were other moments when the audience did.
My concluding thoughts: I think this would do very well as a TV drama and could even win TV awards but I can't see it being picked up by a distributor for the big screen (I hope I'm wrong.) This is because it is a very special, 'local' story, with very thick Leeds' accents. It might be a story that most countries in the world could relate to but, at the same time, it is very much of its time and place which might ruin its chances.
Re: Urban LIFF screenings
image for user bicyclebelle
by bicyclebelle
» 1 hour ago (Sat Nov 7 2015 15:59:03) Flag ▼ | Reply |
IMDb member since July 2010
Brilliant film! I loved it
There were moments of humour, moments of drama and a few shocks. Without the humour this would have been quite stark but the humour was just enough to make the movie engaging rather than depressing.
RA was really good, and played it just right without hamming it up or overplaying it, with a touch of self-deprecation at times.
It shows what a powerful storyteller he is too. The tale he told the kids was gripping even though it's one we all know in one form or another!
I'm really looking forward to seeing it again tomorrow.
Richard was very generous with his time, meeting and greeting, signing autographs and posing for photos before beforehand even though he'd been delayed. He introduced the film and its writer and director and then took part in a brief Q & A afterwards.
Urban and the shed crew review
I saw the 4pm showing so unfortunately didn’t see Richard but was so glad I managed to see this film.
It’s in the same vein as ‘Fish tank’ and like that I could have imagined Fassbender in this role. It’s about as far from what we are used to from Richard as possible. That is what most excited me about this. I have never seen him give such a raw performance before. My non-fan friend described him and the film as feeling very authentic. There was no acting involved, just being, and it was glorious. He also looks like a bag of crap which pleased me even more. No vanity here. He looks truly horrendous as he should.
The film wasn’t perfect. it was a bit baggy in the middle. The kids were too clean and the direction seemed a bit TV at times but overall I really enjoyed it. Fraser Kelly is simply fabulous as Urban. Anna Friel is totally real as the appalling Greta. The kids are good… and even better, Chop is allowed to be completely dubious. He is not a hero and his actions are deeply unsettling. No Hollywoodising here.
I felt really proud of Richard. I can see why he wanted to do this. It is the antithesis of Thorin and really stretches him. It also shows that he can do gritty, difficult projects. I just hope people get to see it.
Richard, is such a class act, the right balance of "serious" and "fun". Thanks for sharing, Laura.
shareA good one.
http://critics-associated.com/urban-and-the-shed-crew-review/
Based on the real-life story written by Bernard Hare, Urban and The Shed Crew is the perfect example of how a low budget film, shot entirely on location and using local cast and crew, can be more heartfelt and honest than its Hollywood counterpart. Writer/director Candida Brady explores the issue of children living at the margins of society with almost a documentary-like eye – having previously directed the documentary Trashed – and packs it with lots of charm without being over-sentimental. Seen through the child-eyes of protagonist Urban we witness some pretty grim realities which reminds us that these problems aren’t just the work of fiction but exist in our modern world.
Urban Grimshaw (Fraser Kelly) was born in prison; his mother Greta (Anna Friel) is a junkie; his father might as well be dead. Aged 11, Urban can’t read or write and his days are wasted hours infused with drugs and alcohol. His gang is a merry company of fellow care-home runaways, thieves and generally turbulent kids. Their future prospects seem bleak, until Urban introduces them to his new friend: Chop (Richard Armitage) a 37 year old, reckless ex-social worker. Chop will try his best to bring some normality back to the lives of Urban and his Shed Crew, but the harsh realities of the world may very well be against him.
The film is brilliantly acted by Anna Friel, Richard Armitage and Fraser Kelly, in his first feature role. The Kelly-Armitage duo is particularly good, with the debutant often stealing scenes from his more established co-star. Brady manages to capture an honest portrait of kids dealing with problems no one should have to face. However, despite the grimness of it all, the film is not without moments of humour, and the kids are far from passive victims – Chop mentions The Lord Of The Flies as an example of how incredibly cruel they can be to each other. The shady setting of Leeds, with the rundown estates and wastelands, perfectly encapsulates the film, for, under all the grit, there is also hope and beauty. The shed where Urban and his crew gather is a place of real wonder, perhaps the only place where we see the kids being kids – there is a truly beautiful scene in which Chop tells the story of King Arthur to the awestruck group. The cinematography by Peter Field also adds to the wondrous tone, with a constantly hazy-dull look, interspersed with vibrant colours here and there.
Despite all the humour and the lighter moments there is also a sense of overbearing catastrophe – the lives of these children are hanging by a thread. For some, their futures have already been decided the moment they were born and change is but a mirage. It’s a horrifying reality. Chop continually tries to shine a light upon their lives by being there for them, trying his hardest – other adult figures are entirely absent. This doesn’t mean that he is a saint. In fact, far from it. The beauty lies in the fact that, in order to survive, Urban needs Chop just as much as Chop needs him, so, when we see the man hit his lowest point, it’s the child’s influence that brings him back to his feet.
This otherwise charming film occasionally stumbles with a lagging pace, especially at the beginning. Some scenes seem to repeat themselves, taking away some of the tension. Yet Urban and The Shed Crew is a small but heartfelt film about a live and present problem in the UK and abroad. With strong performances throughout, this is a little film with a big heart.
More about the film than RA, but a lovely detailed review which makes me want to see this film even more.
https://operaismagic.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/urban-shed-crew-the-film/
I was lucky enough to be able to see the film twice over the last weekend and I can honestly say I could watch it again, several times and enjoy it just as much. It is just that kind of story and that kind of film – the kind whereby you gain more and more understanding by going back, where you don’t feel the story has been told and it’s the end. You feel compelled to go back for a reminder about the realities it captures but also for the impulse to action it provides. Just as the book it manages not to close the chapter but rather to start a journey.share
Films and stories like these are rare in our world of quick fixes and adrenaline trips.
Bernard Hare’s book which underpins the film is not only a very emotional experience; it is an extremely well written book. The pace of his story telling, the balance of moods and tensions, the way he captures the characters, the note of dark but also light humour in the book is so well judged that you can hardly put it down. It’s easy to see why film makers would want to tell the story again but let’s not underestimate the challenge it represents. It’s not just about getting the realities across, it’s getting the tone right to engage people and not alienate them. The combination of the themes around drugs, prostitution, destitution, poverty and the fact that most of its protagonists are children make it almost a ‘catch 22’ in terms of filming. It is incredibly hard for films to go where a news report or a documentary could. Because there are laws in place that protect child actors when they work, some things are just impossible to represent with actors of the ages the characters are in the book. (Which makes it even more frightening, sad and frustrating that you literally can’t act on screen what some kids live through in their daily lives… but such is our reality and our society).
But I can also fully understand why Candida Brady chose to do a feature film instead of a documentary – because these are human stories. It’s not a story about facts and figures or things, although these make a tragic difference in the lives of the people depicted. It’s a story of friendship, caring, understanding and human emotion.
I literally finished reading the book a couple of hours before the first screening so one could say ‘I was heavily under the influence’ ;-) Which is why I am glad I got to see it again the next day with a bit more distance, enough to be able to appreciate the film more for itself rather than in comparison to the book.
My first impression was that the film felt much more upbeat than the book, its message of hope was much stronger. But I am sure my first impression were coloured by the proximity of the book in my mind and the emotions it throws you in. There is a lot of mental ‘wall-punching’ involved during the read so I almost wanted the film to tear into the audience and grip them by their throats :-) The need to shake people up and make them see is almost overwhelming.
I am certain after the second watching that the film does that, just not in such emotionally violent ways I felt after reading the book. Which is a good thing! While making people angry and upset may trigger them into action, touching their heart is probably more likely to achieve longer term commitment :-)
While one can argue about how dark one could make the film, both book and film agree in saying one important thing: one person who cares can change things. And while the environment is certainly violent and volatile on so many levels that is not how help is found or given. Chop doesn’t manage to save some of the kids by violent means or by displaying violent behaviour, quite the contrary! It’s his quiet care and finally his constant determination and emotional connection that provide a solution.
Listening to Bernard Hare talk in the recent interviews made me really understand this almost as much as reading his book. He’s incredibly warm and soft spoken, but very articulate and clear in what he says and what he means and more importantly for the kids ultimately relentless in his action.
So, the intention of the film to provide a stronger message of hope is ultimately just reinforcing the message of the book. It is as much by design as it is the result of necessary condensation of the written material. You have a few less characters and you sometimes get only hints of vicious cycles which in the book we actually experience repeated over and over. But visual hints work in providing similar context and experience.
Speaking of which the hinting rather than showing may also help in making it accessible to a younger/wider audience. An experienced/older viewer will infer much more than is shown but this way I think it stays within a lower age rating (unless you are offended by swearing… but I should think people should be offended much more by the fact that 30% of children in the UK live in poverty, as Candida Brady pointed out).
I’m less sure about the soundtrack for the film. I like the music but I did feel at times it was too upbeat for the feeling of a particular scene. I preferred the scenes played in silence which let things sink in more and for the visuals and words to impact without giving your mind additional, slightly confusing signals. In some instances however the clash between upbeat music and frightful happenings works well to bring out the contrast. I just feel that this effect should have been used more sparingly. (Cause I just wanted to tap along a few times ;-))
I was happy to see that some slight editing hick-ups I noticed in the screening Saturday seemed to have been ironed out in the version screened Sunday (most of my friends hadn’t noticed these however, I’m just too techy that way maybe ;-)). I liked that they mixed up the shooting techniques a bit and we got staggered images, slow-mo, etc It makes it visually interesting (and it is where Brady’s experience with documentaries nicely shows :-) ) . Sometimes like in the trip to Scotland section this creates an almost peaceful, intimate feel by allowing time to pass and other times it is used to comic effect. I really enjoyed the twist on what is an essentially violent moment in a brawl which made us all giggle (nice to see the Armitage teeth all still in place after that ;-) ).
Other times visuals of the same places at different moments in time can be whimsical or profoundly sad and depressing, just like the shed is at the same time sanctuary for the kids but also expression of the lack of a true home. That arch of the 2 scenes was one of my favourite moments in the film.
There are other clever visual solutions in the film too: how do you do a car chase when you can’t afford never ending stretches of road blocked off and you’re not on a highway? Original and funny when it happens in parallel roads ;-)
Generally the cinematography is great. All that smoke of all kinds does wonders for the atmosphere. The city, its blocks of flats, graffiti covered walls, derelict churches and rubbish littered green patches create a character all on its own. It is grey and sad but has loads of personality, great locations (especially considering they used a lot of the original ones). The colourful and mismatched clothes of all characters, especially Chop and Greta up the colour factor a lot! (I’m just going to mention a yellow t shirt and a mustard&violet jumper). I really liked what the costume department did, it looked realistic and not too over the top.
Chop’s and Greta’s flats respectively say a lot about the characters without a word being uttered and they make a startling contrast to each other. The wall paper and carpet at the club where Chop plays chess is wonderfully horrible (nice touch having Hare’s chess playing cameo in the background ;-)) and his small flat though cluttered and messy spells home and comfort in big warm letters. You can just see why the kids are drawn to it and feel protected and safe there. The rows and rows of used books that say as much about Chop as his many endless stories are great. As is the big mirror in Greta’s flat which reflects back all the misery around and within :-(.
There is a 90’s feel about the visuals but discreetly so, it’s mostly the cars and the cassette player (remember those?). It does not feel like a story from the 90’s at all and I am glad that is the case, as it is as contemporary today as it was then, sadly.
The dialogue is very close to the book most of the time which is when it works best. There was only one instance I was unsure about, when Chop asks Urban directly if he’s ever been told about dyslexia. While I understand the difficulties of getting that particular problem across in film I think it’s rather unlikely given when Urban has been that he would have ever been told this may be one of the reasons he couldn’t read. I would have preferred that conversation to be had with another adult. But it’s a small niggle and I rather liked the way Chop spots that the boy is probably dyslexic, it’s a discreetly tender moment that happens almost out of the blue and it really clutched at my heart.
There’s strong acting throughout with Anna Friel pulling off a frighteningly convincing portrayal of an emotionally unstable drug addict. She’s the self-destructive force that brings Chop and Urban together. From then onwards the film revolves mainly around the tug and pull between Chop and the kids. He gets pulled in, shelters the kids and tries to give them a safe haven until his own life is almost invaded and falls apart; he feels nearly unable to cope and then rallies again to support Urban. The kids are great and Fraser Kelly is a brave little actor :-) His vulnerability pulls at your strings but one of my favourite moments is the one where he threatens Chop to take action himself if he doesn’t do something about his brother’s heroin addiction. For somebody so young to get across so much restrained violent intent is quite something, well done!
Richard Armitage had quite a hard task in front of him. Hare’s book is rich in detail about the people that surround him, about his beliefs and disappointments, his actions but naturally restrained in revealing Chop’s emotions. You guess a lot by reading and his actions speak louder than his words, still the book is outwards looking towards the people that surround him most of the time. For the film it was Richard Armitage’s job to show us how Chop feels, what his emotional reactions are not just his actions. The book goes more into Chops disillusionment with the system and its failures; this is still present in the film, though maybe not expressed as often. There is one moment that brings it across very strongly however and I liked that line very much when Chop admits to himself that ‘nobody listens’.
There is quite a lot of action in the film and I’m happy to say it happens mostly with the same kind of bitter and dark irony and humour as it does in the book. We laughed quite a lot as life but mainly the kids kept throwing unexpected events at Chop :-) Their clever inventiveness and retorts keep things moving.
The heart of the film beats strongest in the long conversations Chop has with the kids and especially Urban. And they are conversations, not just Chop talking at them (although he does do some of that too ;-)). There are moments when he represents a fatherly figure, but that is mostly in providing basic care, putting food on the table and providing a place to sleep. Most of the time we see friendships emerging and Chop learns as much from Urban and the kids as he tries to teach them.
There’s lovely story telling which is how Chop disguises his attempts at teaching them and there are equally touching moments when the kids’ practical and needs driven common sense brings Chop back to reality and makes him act rather than just talk about things. With Chop they can be kids again and they make him more of a doer than just a thinker :-)
It’s thanks to these scenes that we get some of the poetry written by the shed crew for the book (and some of my favourites are in there) and Chop’s long winded but wonderful account of his favourite legend: King Arthur. (I can’t say how touched I was when I read in the book that of all the stories he’d read this was his favourite, Chop the idealist :-) )
This does slow things down in the film a bit compared to the action packed beginning but I’m hoping for those who haven’t read the book this will be a nice opportunity to listen to an extract of the book retold (the kids do a perfect acting job of looking riveted throughout ;-)).
What I enjoyed was seeing Chop’s reactions reflected in his eyes and face and gestures all the while his words, especially with the kids tried to remain almost neutral, casual thus keeping the dialogue open :-) But it is this emotional connection which matters, how much Chop cares in his deceivingly relaxed, understated way. A lot of this emotional exchange with Urban seems to happen at Chop’s doorstep which is a nice little symbol for his heart which he can’t seem to close to the kid, in spite of temporary frustrated attempts to do so.
While the film leaves us with hints that all is not well with the world (babies born with addictions, other kids succumbing to heroin, etc) it does end with a big smile, reflecting I think the compassion and hope the creators themselves have put it in rather than reality itself.
It was easy to see why this message is important on Sunday, when members of the real shed crew reunited to watch the screening . The family like connection that bonds them (including Hare) was instantly obvious :-) And it is because this one man cared enough that they were able to be there almost 20 years later.
Oh, and they enjoyed the film a lot! I could hear the heartfelt laughter all throughout and there was enthusiastic applause at the end from all. I got the distinctive impression that they approved of the way their story had been told :-)
PS I’ve tried to keep this mostly spoiler free, but if anyone who has read the book or otherwise wants to know more say so.
[deleted]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC3-RE1gfsA&feature=youtu.be
ETA
I’ve only watched bits of the Q&A Session so far but I had to laugh at RA when he joked that when they asked Bernard Hare who he wanted to play him in the film he had said ‘A dwarf’.
Interesting what he said about his dad’s childhood in Leeds as well and how his grandfather was a miner. My grandfathers and three of my great-grandfathers were miners and I know he has said before there were cotton mill workers in his family - mine too. I think a lot working class people in Yorkshire and Lancashire either worked down the mines or in the mills on the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.
Thanks Laura. I had to giggle at "he looks like a bag of crap", lol, is that something you say in England. And Richard looking like crap, I think I have to see it to believe it, lol. Aww, so Richard got to sit next to Hare as they watched the film. That had to be emotional.
This subject is so serious and sad. I wonder how much acting Richard had to do during the emotional moments or if the emotions were just there naturally. I would be a crying mess if I had to be in a movie about children and neglect, I wouldnt have to act much because the feelings would already be there.
This reminds me of the film Fish Tank. Good movie, but it isnt easy to watch. The mother was horrible.
Thanks Laura. I had to giggle at "he looks like a bag of crap", lol, is that something you say in England.
Aww, so Richard got to sit next to Hare as they watched the film. That had to be emotional.
This subject is so serious and sad. I wonder how much acting Richard had to do during the emotional moments or if the emotions were just there naturally.
https://thekaleidoscoperoom.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/government-leaving-the-youth-on-the-shelf/
This weekend, I had the privilege of attending two screenings (including the World Premiere) of a film called Urban and The Shed Crew, at Leeds International Film Festival. Based on the memoir by Bernard Hare, and set in Leeds, England in the 1990s, it tells the story of a disillusioned ex-social worker who befriends a boy and his gang, the adventures they go on and the lessons they learn from each other. Having read Bernard Hare’s memoir of the same name only a couple of weeks before the screening, I was very curious to see how Hare’s very distinct and witty author’s voice was translated into a gripping screenplay.share
What struck me most about the film was the way in which it captured the warmth and affection Hare had for the characters he wrote about. Despite the various characters’ failings, I found each one endearing and relatable to; I wanted them all to find their way. I think this really is the film’s best quality. These children, and those that care for them, are no longer are a statistic, they are human beings with distinct personalities, and this made the film’s message all the more powerful for me. It is very easy in today’s world to forget the thoughts and feelings of others; in fact I would say contemporary culture promotes this. This film demonstrates perfectly how no matter what ones background, we all have concerns and worries, insecurities and shortcomings, and that it is this feature in ourselves we should remember, to help us relate to each other, and in doing so, we may just make each other’s lives just that little bit better.
There were some brilliantly dark comic moments throughout the film, involving face paint, machetes and bouncy castles (not all at once ), as well as some really artfully written cutting and witty dialogue from adults and children alike. I found myself laughing out loud at times, and then thinking “I probably shouldn’t be laughing about this!” and covering my eyes in shame. I found this incredibly effective in making the subject matter approachable and, in a way, even more hard-hitting than if it had been expressed in a deeply solemn manner; these characters are laughing at themselves and the hardships of their lives, and in a way, so are we, and in doing so we are asked to question that.
There were some really beautiful stand-out performances in this film too. Anna Friel was spunky and feisty as Greta; yet still you got the sense that she genuinely wanted the best for her children, but was so caught up in her own world of escapism that she couldn’t be relied upon to be the bringer of such care. Which is where Chop (played by Richard Armitage and based on Bernard Hare himself) came in. There were some really tender moments between Chop and Urban (Fraser Kelly), and you really got a sense of the interdependence they had on each other. Richard Armitage was the perfect choice for Chop; there was a very trusting tenderness to his performance; I could see how the children would find such a man so approachable. And then there was Urban. I found Fraser Kelly’s performance very self-possessed for one so young, and Urban’s desire to connect to Chop felt very natural and authentic; they had a wonderful relaxed chemistry. I was also very moved by the way in which Urban’s much-loved dog, Tyson, was featured in the film. His presence amongst certain characters on screen, and his natural reactions to the events unfolding around him (unburdened by the human ability to hide ones emotions) added real poignancy to certain tense or emotional moments in the film.
There was one aspect of Hare’s memoir which I noticed was distinctly lacking from the film, and though a very sensitive and difficult subject matter to explore, I felt an opportunity was missed to explore it here. In Hare’s memoir, he talks about his shock at discovering that some of the younger children of the gang are already leading sexually active lives, and that some of them were victims of sexual abuse as children. This subject matter has been much discussed in recent years, and though incredibly difficult to face, is clearly a reality for some children (perhaps for more children than we would like to admit). I feel the film missed an opportunity to explore this subject matter. I think Bernard Hare very artfully explored the subject in his memoir through recounting discussions he has with the children and the implications of those discussions, with very little graphic detail needed at all, which could have worked in the film’s context. Clearly this is an extremely sensitive issue, and perhaps the film makers felt it would affect the overall message of the film, or that perhaps it was too topical, but personally I think an opportunity was missed to explore how abuse can be a snowball for inwardly and outwardly destructive behaviour.
Overall, Urban and the Shed Crew felt incredibly authentic; there was a compassion in the film-making, without compromising the subject matter. It was a bittersweet Ode to the city of Leeds. It’s so fitting that the film premiered in Leeds itself. It is a film well worth watching and one I would happily watch again. It’s message, sadly, is universal – there are always those who are let down by the system, and it is vitally important that we remember these people and each do our bit to help them, as we would hope others would do for us if we were in the same situation. I think it highlights the importance of community, and how in a post-Thatcher world, that quality is distinctly lacking. I think it remains fiercely loyal to the voice and essence of Bernard Hare’s beautifully written memoir, and I truly hope it is seen by many more people in the years to come.
Lots of lovely pictures as well.
Day One:
https://guylty.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/all-roads-lead-to-leeds-uatsc-premiere-part-1/
Day Two:
https://guylty.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/casually-strolling-into-madness-uatsc-premiere-part-2/
I hadn't noticed before that he was wearing the same clothes both days. LOL! I did notice he was wearing an enamel poppy though on the Sunday, which was Remembrance Sunday. I loved the story behind that. In that he had a paper one but no pin and a fan offered him her enamel one which he gratefully exchanged for his paper poppy. She then pinned it on for him.
There is a third part to come with a review of the film.
I love the pictures. Now I am going to grab a cup of tea, or maybe wine, and read the report. I like his blue shoes.
shareLooks like production on this has now started.
http://deadline.com/2015/11/epix-berlin-station-cast-richard-armitage-rhys-ifans-1201621033/
ETA:
Strangely RA's name is listed as 'Miller' and not 'Meyer' in these:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151113005608/en/EPIX-Announces-Start-Production-Original-Spy-Series
http://www.showbizjunkies.com/news/berlin-station-filming-richard-armitage/
This one contains her review of the film.
https://guylty.wordpress.com/2015/11/15/urban-and-the-shed-crew-a-review/#comment-20740
Attempt number 5 at getting a review of UATSC down. Yes. It has taken me five days and four scrapped attempts to finally post my review of UATSC. To jump ahead, I think the film is good. But I almost felt a little bit too entertained and not quite affected enough by it, due to the aesthetic and plot choices in it. And I acknowledge that that is due to having read the book – which has resulted in my own interpretations and own mental visualisation of the story. As it is, the film is film-maker Candida Brady’s own, individual interpretation of the story. And it is therefore separate from the book and equally valid. My difficulty at coming to a conclusion about the film’s merits is hampered by my expectations, based on the source material – which potentially makes my review unfair.share
You see, I walked into the film with high expectations, wanting to love this film, seeing my favourite actor excel (once again) and lead in a movie that could not only cement his status as a serious and excellent leading man, but also raise awareness for a topic that can never be mentioned enough. A story worth telling, giving a voice to those who are mostly unheard, highlighting the failure of our social systems, but real and therefore a piece of contemporary history. A true story, no less, recorded for posterity in Bernard Hare’s 2005 memoir Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew and chronicling the unusual friendship of the eponymous Urban and his unlikely saviour, “Chop”, aka Hare himself, as well as providing a haunting social commentary on life on the margins of society in 1990s Leeds. It is all there – the larger-than-life characters, the gritty setting on a council estate in East Leeds, the ever-unsolved and universal problems of drug abuse and child neglect, and the satisfying yet not entirely unrealistic resolution. Perfect, ready-made material for a film maker with a conscience. And last but not least a film with the well-known name of Richard Armitage attached, an actor renowned for nuanced and convincing acting.
But a book adaptation is always a heavy burden for any film maker. How to marry the desire to make a commercially successful entertainment product, with the need to tell a gripping, true story that is respectful to the protagonists (and yet might be scrutinised by some members of the audience who know the source material)? *And* to do so in an artistic yet entertaining fashion that keeps the audience interested, makes the film stand out, yet stays faithful to the story? I think film-maker Candida Brady had a lot on her plate there, and kudos to her for taking on this project!
The film opens with the eponymous Urban running away from a children’s home. His journey home takes him, barefoot and in pyjamas, through (parts of) Leeds. It’s a nice way to set up the background of the story, the place where it is set, and it introduces us to some of the characters from the “shed crew”, his group of friends, until Urban finally takes us to his home, where his drug-addicted mother Greta fails to run the coop. Urban’s saviour Chop is introduced through his first encounter with Greta, with whom he becomes romantically involved. These three characters are the “fixed stars” of the film – the three characters whose lives intersect and propel the story forwards, through various crises and a good few scenes of humour.
They are depicted in full “glory” – Urban is ably portrayed by young Fraser Kelly who convincingly captures the dichotomy of the streetwise, smart kid and the little boy in search for stability and guidance. You want to hug his Urban and give him love (and a warm, home-cooked meal) and rescue him from the circumstances. His mother Greta is beyond all help, it seems. She is caught up in her addiction, and unable to look after her children, only focussed on herself. Anna Friel gives a stellar performance in this difficult role. She has to play a character who somehow is incapable of taking the opportunities for redemption that are offered to her, and Friel is absolutely stunning, from acting the madness and the irrationality of Greta so convincingly, to screaming in a thick Yorkshire accent.
Her performance almost eclipses Richard Armitage’s, whose role does not give him opportunity for that kind of scope. Although his Chop is by far the perfect hero, Armitage does not get to portray the awful extremes of human existence or mental instability. But that is down to the fact that his Chop is arguably the most “normal” and copped-on character, the identification figure in this piece – the redeemer and saviour who brings stability and care into the chaos, despite his own failings. Armitage imbues Chop with the warmth and compassion that is implied in the book, and his strongest scenes are the ones with his young co-stars where he fosters the youngsters while remaining their confidante, as well as Chop’s break-down in a scene with a social-worker friend that ultimately convinces Chop to take charge of Urban. Chop is the most relatable of the lot, and Armitage’s performance has to rely on nuance and heart, which it does beautifully. I completely bought the scruffy social worker type, not least because he inhaled so convincingly… But seriously, this is a sort of character he has not done before. Chop is not one of the obvious alpha males that Armitage has portrayed so far. Porter, Thornton, Thorin, Lucas North, Guy – all largely confident men, convinced of their own merits and skills, and possessing balls of steel. Chop is a different type, quietly strong and intelligent, yet veering on self-destruction. For this, Armitage had to pare back the bravado and action, and instead negotiate the fine but decisive line between quiet confidence and weakness. Done well and convincingly, so much so, that I would love to see Armitage in less action-focussed roles in the future. [objectification mode on] Oh, and he is not shabby to look at, either, despite the bulky grunge look of the 90s.[objectification mode off]
The film is a snapshot of the characters’ lives at a particular point in time, without much background, and it fully succeeds in giving us a glimpse into their existence: neglected children who turn to drugs and crime in an effort to negotiate their daily lives. Without any positive role models to look up to, they repeat their parents’ mistakes. Until Chop gains their confidence and trust, and attempts to give them (subtle) guidance and structure. He is most successful with his young protégé Urban with whom he is closest, and their relationship is supposedly the focus of the film, culminating with a happy ending that implies a (better) future for both Urban and Chop.
Even though the drug-taking scenes are haunting and intense, it is the scenes when Urban and his shed crew friends are shown as the children they really are, which are most heart-breaking. He becomes the children’s “guardian”, entertaining them with stories (such as the Arthurian legend) and opening their minds to education and art. When he talks, they listen, they become children, and it is heart-breaking to see how eagerly the youngsters are looking for an adult to listen, guide and look after them. It encapsulates the message of the film to me – the answer to child neglect and drug abuse are not nanny-state schemes and institutionalisation, but making sure that children have responsible adults to look after them and give them guidance – and love – in an individualistic manner, not prescribed by paragraphs and laws.
Mind you, I am not sure the message is all that clear in this film. I felt that the focus was shifting occasionally and I was confused whether this was the story of a man’s unlikely friendship with a young boy, a tragic romance between the protagonist and Greta, or a story of redemption for the main character Chop. Particularly the shed crew, i.e. the wider group of children and teenagers, seemed to get too little screen time for a group that is even mentioned in the title of the film. In short: the focus was not quite clear for me.
Stories such as Urban’s are perfect for arthouse distribution – especially when they are based on true events. As such I would have preferred the film to be more edgy in its cinematographic realization. The film makes a few interesting attempts at less conventional cinematic representation, but inconsistently so: For instance, it uses a voice-over by Urban himself during the introductory scenes which give background and insight into the mind of the boy – and then never picks up this story-telling device again. Similarly, in a beautiful scene that takes Chop and Urban on a bonding trip to Scotland, the film uses some stop-start motions which are interesting to look at and add a bit of visual spice to the cinematography – only to never return to this artistic device again. More consistency here could have given UATSC a unique and gritty look that would befit an edgy urban (Urban!) drama, as would have more variety in camera angles or emphasis in lighting tones.
It doesn’t have to be the funky changes of perspective from the inside of a toilet bowl á la Trainspotting all over again. But the 1996 Danny Boyle-directed heroin drama on the basis of Irvine Welch’s novel, has really set the bar for a commercially successful, cinematographically interesting, non-mainstream film, not least due to its hard-hitting, intense soundtrack. While the music for UATSC was by no means bad, a soundtrack that would’ve reflected the electronica-driven 1990s reminiscent of “raves” and “E” a bit more (local punk/folk/electronic outfit Chumbawamba comes to mind here), could have added to the atmosphere. Occasionally, UATSC’s music felt a little bit too happy for my taste – unless the contrast between uplifting music and the less-than-happy circumstances depicted in the film was deliberate. Oh, and just to completely out myself as a pedantic nit-picker – I really disliked the “funky” fonts used for the credits at the beginning of the film that were more reminiscent of an adventure drama for kids than a film that could be a contender for a serious drama as social critique. Less is more!
There is no doubt, however, that this is a story worth telling and the film is a great attempt at raising awareness for the ongoing problems it addresses. It stays faithful to the real life story, a few changes in sequence notwithstanding, and it takes great care to depict the real, living protagonists fairly, respectfully and with sympathy. This is not a finger-pointing film – it makes no judgment on the victims, but tells their story. Appropriate and commendable. The characters are discernibly the real people Hare described in his book, and despite leaving out some of the central problems of the real shed crews’ existence (early sexualisation and prostitution), the hardship of their lives in underprivileged circumstances and under threat of drug abuse is unflinchingly presented. While I would have preferred a grittier realization of the story, the more conventional approach of the film-maker might make the film more susceptible (and digestible) to a mainstream audience. Ultimately, that is the goal – by packaging the challenging story and its difficult themes in a smooth, digestible format, more people may be reached and distribution could be widened. It is to be hoped that a distributor will be found – or that the film will be picked up by a TV channel where it ultimately might sit better than in an art house scenario.
She is in London casting for another play.
https://twitter.com/yfarber/status/671042130924695552
@RCArmitage Back2London 2continue casting&meetings 4LesBlancs@NT. May we b blessed with a lead as gifted & humble as Richard A. #rarebirdshare
I thought this might interest people especially those who didn't see RA in Hannibal as it shows so many of his scenes. Nothing gory or anything though. Great choice of music I thought although it does stop abruptly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZeWAvxl5TQ&index=88&list=WL
Looks like this project is still on. Some more info here as well. Romola Garai will be in with RA. I really like her.
http://www.davidhigham.co.uk/filmclients/anne-marie-casey/
Anne-Marie Casey is a screenwriter, novelist and playwright working in the UK, Ireland and the US. She was a successful drama producer in Film and TV in the UK before becoming a writer full time. She has written TV and Film scripts for all the major broadcasters in the UK and Ireland, most recently devising an original series, The Harbour, for BBC Drama. Her film script Bridget Cleary, for Wildfire Films and the Irish Film Board, starring Richard Armitage and Romola Garai, directed by Jim O’Hanlon, is scheduled for production in 2016. Her theatrical adaptations of Little Women and Wuthering Heights enjoyed sell-out runs at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, in 2011/12 and 2014/15. Her first novel An Englishwoman in New York was a bestseller in Ireland, a Kirkus reviews best book of the year in the US and a YOU magazine book club pick in the UK. Her new novel The Real Liddy James will be published in the UK by Hodder and in the US by Putnam/Penguin in September 2016. She is currently writing a new stage adaptation for the Gate Theatre.share
Strangely RA's name is listed as 'Miller' and not 'Meyer' in theseSeems they've changed the name:
It might simply have been too confusing for the audience to introduce an American with a German name who's (iirc) not a field agent...
I bought my Christmas Present iPhone 6s cover
See it here. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016V2RE2C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
Cool, genie.
Thanks Laura. Lucky Romola. I saw her in Daniel Deronda with Hugh Dancy and Hugh Bonneville.
Wait, Richard is an American in Berlin S ??
RA has narrated another audiobook for Audible.com called "The Chimes" by Charles Dickens. He has tweeted about the free download (for audible members).
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/676011815579607040?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet
Direct link: https://mobile.audible.co.uk/pd/Classics/The-Chimes-Audiobook/B0198RBR7U?overrideBaseCountry=true&ref-override=adbl_ms_ip_ret_ustogb
Thanks Lois. I just saw this on Twitter. So this was the short story he teased about on there at the end of November. Not sure where he found the time while filming as well. LOL!
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/669846141475930112
I've never heard of this story. I just googled it and it sounds a bit like the film 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
Richard has been nominated in the 'Best Guest Actor/Actress in a Drama Series category for 'Hannibal'.
https://twitter.com/CriticsChoice/status/676544019598569472?lang=en-gb
Hugh Dancy got a nomination in the Best Actor category as well.
http://www.criticschoice.com/television-awards/
ETA (18.1.16)
RA didn't attend because of filming in Berlin. Unfortunately he didn't win. Pleased his performanced was recognised with a nomination though. Here is a screenshot of the picture they put up when the nominations were announced.
https://twitter.com/lpasquarelli010/status/689015554254974976
Is it possible to buy The Chimes without becoming an audible subscriber?
Is it possible to buy The Chimes without becoming an audible subscriber?
Interesting he says he wouldn't turn 'Bond' down.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/richard-armitage-says-pal-aidan-7036960
Richard Armitage says pal Aidan Turner 'loves' being a sex symbolshare
The Hobbit co-stars are both screen heart throbs but Armitage reckons his actor friend is more comfortable being an object of desire
Poldark hunk Aidan Turner loves the ladies' attention according to Hobbit co-star Richard Armitage.
While Armitage has always struggled with the attention his good looks have got him since the time he played rugged mill owner John Thornton in the BBC hit adaptation of North and South, Turner hasn't been so troubled.
“I think that he loves all of that,” laughs Richard.
“He was born to play those roles really. Whereas I found myself in that role in North and South not really realising what it was.
"I think Aidan is a magnet for that. He's only in his late 20s. I'm sure he'll exercise that side of his talent and then go on and find different things that interest him.”
Armitage, 44, shot to fame in 2004 when hours after the first episode of period drama North And South aired, the BBC message board crashed.
Since then the broodingly handsome actor has had a loyal following, the so-called 'Armitage Army'.
But despite being adored by thousands of women, Richard has never wanted to rest on his good looks.
As Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit , he was a bona fide blockbuster star and last year he won rave reviews for his role in The Crucible at the Old Vic.
A stint playing Dawn French's love interest in the Vicar of Dibley aside, Richard has worked hard to shake off his heart throb status.
For Richard, what's interested him most recently is playing serial killer Francis Dolahyde on hit US show Hannibal.
He says: "I feel it as a real challenge to keep challenging that fan base and introducing them to something they wont like.
"I knew Francis Dolahyde was controversial because I knew a lot of people wouldn’t like him. Because they like you to be a heartthrob or attractive. So I saw that as 'let's see if we can change people’s tastes'.”
The actor famously applies a method-style dedication to his roles – even submitting to a water boarding in preparation for his role in spy drama Spooks.
Still, there were times when even he found getting inside the head of a psychopath draining.
“I used to go home and put my head in my hands and think I've just got to get to the end of this. The horrible things that he does to people... I couldn’t have played him for a particularly long period of time without some comic relief.”
Richard currently lives in New York, to be close to the big roles and acting opportunities.
But while he loves the anonymity New York gives him, he admits that not being recognised as Thorin due to all the makeup and prostheses was frustrating.
“I was excited about disappearing and transforming physically so people don’t know it's you, but after three years of wheeling out that film and people still not really realising it was me, it's frustrating.
"You go into meetings and castings and they say have I seen you in anything? And you're like 'well yeah, I'm in this film...' and they still don’t market that connection. It doesn’t help you in terms of an afterlife.”
However, it was a role he loved, despite the physical demands: “Thorin was buried under a thick body suit. The role was more about being physically capable of waving the sword around. It was tough.
There was one day when I vomited in a bucket. It was in the goblin tunnels in the first movie. They'd built this set, which was dark and lit up with flames.
"It was incredibly hot, the sound stages were made from concrete which made it like an oven. That was the most memorably tough day we did. Even the stunt guys were struggling on that day.”
Like many of his contemporaries, Richard has been rumoured to be in the running for the next Bond.
He says: "I think it's because of Spooks . If you run around with a gun and look decent doing it, they think 'he can play James Bond'. And if GQ photograph you wearing a nice fitted suit.
"Every time I've done a photo shoot to promote anything they always put you in a suit and say 'Is this the next James Bond ?'”
Still, he admits hr wouldn't turn it down.
“I think it's a great premise. I'd focus more on him as a spy. I do feel like the franchise needs a breath of fresh air.
"It needs updating, which is what Daniel Craig did, but there's something else there, the old dinosaur needs to be brushed off. It's still a great franchise and who doesn’t want to go and see a great bond movie?”
Such a lovely Christmas message! Thanks for posting Laura.
I really do love it when he writes. His Christmas messages have always been a pleasure to read. And he's so sly too when voicing his opinions. Sure sounds like he's having a wonderful year and I'm so glad he's filming in Berlin because he's fallen in love with the city!
Birds, you must tell us if it really is a fun city to be in....I'll live vicariously through whatever you have to say!
Happy to read "Toronto" of course in his note! And glad he's spending time with his family...very sweet! Bless him!
[deleted]
Yes, I love his messages as well. They are a bit of a Christmas tradition now. LOL! He does't usually get political but, as he says, it has been a seriously turbulent year and I agree with his sentiments. Good for him! Yes, I'm glad he is going home for Christmas. He's had a busy year.
shareRichard answers fans questions for Audible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX-o1qmgWvc&feature=youtu.be
ETA
It says at the end of the interview that the book is now available for pre-order.
ETA2
Two extra clips. Love the first one. He is so serious about the 'Mr Tickle' book. LOL!
https://www.instagram.com/p/_kYCLHFXo3/
https://www.instagram.com/p/_nMyPllXkB/
Richard won best guest actor in a drama series.
http://collider.com/best-tv-2015-drama/#series
Winner: Richard Armitageshare
2015 saw a wealth of fantastic guest appearances (Sam Elliott has never been more devilish, Margo Martindale never more conniving, B.D. Wong never more beguiling), but none were more fully arresting than Richard Armitage on Hannibal. Transforming himself — even through his physical movements — into the Red Dragon character was astonishing, terrifying, and without equal. was a show that grew and matured with each new season, and for Armitage’s exceptional portrayal of Red Dragon to cap off the show’s run was a fitting, if bittersweet end.
Congratulations RA! Deservedly so, with everything I've heard and seen so far of his role in 'Hannibal'.
I'm so glad he's filming in Berlin because he's fallen in love with the city!
With RA and Bryan Fuller. Taken from the extras on the US DVD and posted by richardarmitagecentral.
http://richardarmitagecentral.co.uk/main.php?g2_itemId=402134
ETA:
Here is an audio of it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pgtoxq1u6h0sm7s/Red%20Dragon.mp3?dl=0
https://twitter.com/MatiasFmatias/status/685589648832266240
The show itself won Best Horror Series.
RA has tweeted that they are doing ADR on 'Pilgrimage' with some new pics.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/687620366026575872
ETA:
This article says 'Pilgrimage' will be released early 2016, which is good news.
http://www.thejournal.ie/new-irish-films-2016-2550352-Jan2016/?utm_source=twitter_self
Just saw this DM article on the Coldfeet reunion mentioning the extras one of who, as we know, was RA: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3408128/What-EXTRAS-Cold-Feet-got-leaving-show.html
RICHARD ARMITAGE
Leicester-born actor Richard Armitage starred in series five of Cold Feet as hunky lifeguard Lee.
Things appeared to be going swimmingly for the heart throb after he hooked up with Spanish nanny Romona (Jacey Salles). However, they quickly took a nose-dive after he had a one-night stand.
Following the programme's climax in 2003, Hollywood came calling for 44-year-old former stage star Richard.
He was cast as Dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's film trilogy adaptation of The Hobbit, alongside Martin Freeman.
He told The Daily Telegraph about the 'slow climb' of his acting career and how bagging a role in a blockbuster movie helped boost his profile. 'Having a box office figure next to your name is unbelievably important when it comes to certain castings,' he said.
He's also appeared in a number of gritty television roles including double agent Lucas North in Spooks, nasty Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood, and the character based on SAS man Andy McNab in Sky One’s Strike Back.
Richard is currently spooking up a storm as terrifying Francis Dolarhyde on Hannibal.
While rumours have circulated about his sexuality, he added: 'I don’t feel protective about that. I just feel that it’s not relevant to what I’m presenting in terms of my art form.'
Thanks Lois. They've taken some of that from an old interview with the 'Daily Telegraph' including the bit about him saying he was not protective of his sexuality. Why they included it here, or not mentioned 'Into the Storm' or 'Captain America' I don't know. They have also not mentioned 'N&S' in his TV roles either, but it's not the first time that it has been overlooked.
From RA's co-star Michelle Forbes' Twitter. Love her comment in the first one:
'This man=Heaven
Full stop.'
https://twitter.com/MishkaForbes/status/692849214808666112
https://twitter.com/MishkaForbes/status/692864361228963841
Laura, how does he manage to look soo young???!!!!
Looooveee the pic!! and the comment!
This article was tweeted by RA.
http://www.scannain.com/irish/pilgrimage-preview
RA is No. 13. Not keen on the picture they used though.
http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-galleries/2015/08/sexiest-hottest-men-of-2015-2016/viewgallery/1552041
The book is released on the 9th February. This from Audible editor Doug on the book and RA, or as he calls him - Richard 'Ear-Candy' Armitage.
https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12644820_182525545443277_3745112480019463134_n.jpg?oh=4bc30395a4cea3a001bfc745b562d0d7&oe=573D50C4
If anyone wants a snap of the Glamour Shot, here's one.
http://richardarmitageworld.com//test/Glamour Mag 100 Sexiest Men.jpg
RA is No. 1. You can hear him reading an excerpt from 'David Copperfield' in, as it says, his 'deliciously smooth' voice.
http://www.bustle.com/articles/139677-16-audiobooks-with-sexy-narrators-just-in-time-for-valentines-day
Somewhere I read his voice was called "ear-candy". LOL
shareSomewhere I read his voice was called "ear-candy". LOL
Richard is nominated for Best TV Supporting Actor for 'Hannibal'.
Richard Armitage, in the role of Francis Dolarhyde from HANNIBAL
In a chilling, largely physical performance, Richard Armitage nearly steals the entire third (and to date, final) season of HANNIBAL as the “Tooth Fairy” himself, Francis Dolarhyde. It takes an incredibly skilled performer to make such a terrifying psychopath- one that murders families and targets the family of our protagonist- so sympathetic and poetic; from his very first episode on HANNIBAL, it was guaranteed that Armitage would find himself in the running for a Chainsaw Award in 2016.
This is released today. You can listen to another excerpt at the end of this article.
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/08/richard-armitage-david-copperfield
ETA:
New pic as well.
'Business Wire' Article.
Richard Armitage Performs David Copperfield for Audible
New Recording Now Available for Download at Audible.com
February 09, 2016 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Audible Studios, a production arm of Audible.com, today announced the release of beloved stage and screen actor Richard Armitage’s audio interpretation of Charles Dickens’ most autobiographical novel, David Copperfield. This impassioned performance by the star of Hannibal and The Hobbit is now available for download at audible.com/Copperfield.
"I think David Copperfield is Dickens’ broadest, most humorous and moving epic novel,” said Armitage. “His treatment in this work of birth, life, love and death had a huge impact on me the first time I read it. It gave me immense pleasure to attempt to bring these vivid characters to life for Audible. The resilience and tenacity of the central protagonist and the paths which Dickens carves out for David, through his extraordinary life, touch the heart and soul, bringing tears of both laughter and of deep sadness.”
“That this work was considered largely autobiographical makes for a truly immersive read and is one of my favorite works of classic English literature,” added Armitage. “I'm very proud to have been asked to read this beloved book. I hope you enjoy listening.”
“David Copperfield is among Dickens’ most enduring and popular novels, and now there’s another reason to experience—or revisit—this remarkable and inventive imagining of one man’s life,” said Audible EVP and Publisher Beth Anderson. “With every recording, we strive to identify the perfect match of text and actor, and we think listeners will agree that Richard Armitage and David Copperfield is that ideal pairing. Fans of Richard’s television and film work are going to love spending time at the gym or in the car as he tells them this story.”
In addition to his impressive television and film resume, Armitage is a renowned and polished audiobook narrator. His 2015 performance of Classic Love Poems, also published by Audible Studios, was one of the bestselling audiobooks of the year, and is a finalist for the Audie Award in the “Best Male Narrator” category. His recording of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel, was named Audible’s best audiobook of the year in 2014.
In addition to Armitage, among the acclaimed performers who have narrated works of literature for Audible are Rosamund Pike, Dan Stevens, James Franco, Jesse Eisenberg, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kate Winslet and Tim Robbins. In 2013, Audible Studios won its first Grammy Award, for its production of Janis Ian’s memoir Society’s Child, and also won the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year, for Colin Firth’s performance of Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair. Audible is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Spoken Word Album category again this year, for Ian’s performance, with Jean Smart, of Isabel Miller’s GBLT classic Patience and Sarah.
Audible, the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word content, invented and commercialized the first digital audio player in 1997, and has since been at the forefront of the explosively growing audiobook download segment. In 2015, listeners around the world downloaded 1.6 billion hours of audio from Audible.com outlets; Audible members downloaded an average of more than 17 books over the course of the year. Two thirds of new Audible members are first-time audiobook buyers.
RA has been nominated for another Audio Award this year. This time for Best Male Narrator for Audible's 'Classic Love Poems'.
Stage and screen actor Richard Armitage's swoon-worthy performance of Classic Love Poems in the "Best Male Narrator" category.
The Anglophile Channel British Artist of the Year is now underway.
http://theanglophilechannel.com/2016-favorite-british-artists-of-the-year-awards/
Once again The Anglophile Channel, and our fans, have a big job on our hands in choosing which artists to honor this year.
Thanks genie. I voted. Looks like Sam Heughan might win again. I love him as well but my first loyalty is to RA.
shareLooking good and so young. Love the suit as well.
https://twitter.com/UltraVeloce/status/698687673657995265
Three more pics here:
http://www.pnn.de/mediathek/1049731/9/
Here is an article by 'Variety' with a slightly different picture.
http://variety.com/2016/film/global/variety-10-europeans-to-watch-medienboard-berlin-1201707006/
The British Council Film, which promotes British films internationally, appear to be promoting 'Urban' and gives its release date as 2016.
http://linkis.com/britishcouncil.org/pC0R1
RA has been nominated for another Saturn Award, this time for Best Supporting TV Actor for 'Hannibal'. He won in the Best Supporting Film Actor category last year for TBoT5A.
https://armitageagonistes.wordpress.com/2016/02/24/richard-armitage-gets-saturn-nomination/
Apparently the recent voting for the AC Awards was only for a first round. Now the nominees for the final round have been announced. RA has been nominated for Best Actor (for Hannibal) as well as Favourite British Artist of the Year. Here is the video of the announcement. No voting page yet.
http://theanglophilechannel.com/2016/02/26/the-2016-anglophile-channel-awards-nominations-video/
ETA
According to someone over on the RA Board, the voting page will go up on 1st March.
Here is an excellent review of the audiobook.
You may have seen Richard Armitage in full-body acting action as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit, or the serial killer Francis Dolarhyde in Silence of the Lambs spin-off Hannibal. Audiobook fans may have heard him narrating Hamlet (the novel), which won Audible’s 2014 audiobook of the year. His range of voices – unlike some he doesn’t hold back on accents or characterisation – means it was only a matter of time before he attempted a big Dickens, having read the Christmas story The Chimes last December. And here it is: his David Copperfield is a 36-hour epic which stretches his full range. Armitage narrates Dickens’ own vibrant narration with humour and melody, but you have to tip your hat to the diversity and consistency of his voicing, from the simpering, slippery Uriah Heep to the well-spoken bounder James Steerforth. The exception, of course, is David himself, whom Armitage develops from helpless child to confused, aspiring young man to mature, redeemed adult. Armitage passed my own tests, which were making Mr Murdstone a greater monster than, say, the murderer Magwitch in Great Expectations and presenting Mr Micawber as an infuriating, lovable rogue. If you have a spare day and half, I urge you to clamp headphones over your ears.
I'm not sure if he is filming Berlin Station or whether it is a photoshoot. Looking very dapper.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/703878398268084224
Love the reply from his co-star Michelle Forbes.
https://twitter.com/MishkaForbes/status/703884731587436544
ETA:
And on Weibo
http://www.weibo.com/5489477428/DjYbVBU1s?from=page_1005055489477428_profile&wvr=6&mod=weibotime&type=comment#_rnd1456742846465
Dapper photo indeed, and also loved the Twitter banter/comments. :)
Thanks for the voting page for the Anglophiles, Laura. Done and no doubt as to who got my "extra" votes.
Dapper photo indeed, and also loved the Twitter banter/comments. :)
It starts at about 35 mins and lasts about 15 mins.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/06/books/review/inside-the-new-york-times-book-review-podcast-all-the-single-ladies.html?_r=1
He went yesterday with his 'Berlin Station' co-star Michelle Forbes. Here are some tweets about it. The last one contains a quite touching account of his visit.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/706151048617070592
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/706151883736535040
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/706155344960086016
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/706190382317568001
ETA:
His account is clearer here.
https://mobile.twitter.com/rcarmitage/status/706190382317568001
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CczkVVQWEAAHPXL.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CczkVVTWAAEJUVS.jpg
Oh my. Thank you for posting this, Laura.
shareOh my. Thank you for posting this, Laura.
Always the most handsome guy in a photo... and in any language.
Merci, Ms. Laura!
Always the most handsome guy in a photo... and in any language.
He really does retain his youthful looks doesn't he? He looks the same as when he did N&S for heaven's sake.
I'm going to assume he's got good genes on his side.
Laura, thanks. Looking at the photos, it looks like Richard is with the director. The guy and his hands are being director-ish.
And Richard in jeans.
Emmy spotlight: Cower before Richard Armitage ('Hannibal'), the great Red Dragon
I wrote two years ago about the second season of "Hannibal" and why Emmy voters should have nominated it for all the awards. Well, they didn't nominate it for any of the awards, even in Creative Arts categories like cinematography or art direction, where it should have been a no-brainer. The third and final season of the cult hit aired last summer on NBC, and all my praise for season two still applies, but I'd like to focus particular attention on one new standout: Richard Armitage as serial killer Francis Dolarhyde, aka the Red Dragon.
So yes, you should nominate Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Gillian Anderson, writer/creator Bryan Fuller, one or more directors and as many below-the-line craft professionals as possible. But let's talk about Armitage.
Like many other actors on the show he had big shoes to fill. The Red Dragon, infamous for his deadly home invasions and delusions of transformation, is well known as the title character of Thomas Harris's 1981 novel. He had also been portrayed twice before on-screen: by Tom Noonan in "Manhunter" (1986) and later by Ralph Fiennes in "Red Dragon" (2002).
But like his co-stars, Armitage gives a performance all his own. It's a carefully balanced turn: Dolarhyde has a split personality, one half an insecure wallflower and the other half a monster out of nightmares. But Armitage makes us believe that both personas could exist in one man -- more than that, that each persona fuels the other.
But even knowing what we know about his alter ego's horrific crimes, his Dolarhyde is sympathetic, fragile even. He has a cleft lip, which affects his speech and leaves him with crippling shyness; he speaks and moves as if apologizing for the space he occupies. Then he meets a film developer, Reba ("True Blood" alum Rutina Wesley), who is blind and thus eases his self-consciousness. The tender scenes between Armitage and Wesley have a dual tension: of course we fear for Reba's life, but we're also hopeful for Reba's loving influence on him.
It's impressive that "Hannibal" and its actors were able to create such human scenes and relationships alongside the unparalleled horrors of its murder stories, but Armitage has the added challenge of trying to pull it off in one character.
As the Red Dragon, the actor has to go toe-to-toe with Mikkelsen and Dancy as Hannibal Lecter and FBI profile Will Graham, respectively, and he's more than fearsome enough to hold his ground. More than perhaps any other villain in the show's entire run, he channels a demonic rage that is downright otherworldly. Standing six-foot-two, Armitage has an imposing physical presence; with Reba he seems to cower in that height, but as the Dragon he towers with menace. To think, this is the same actor who played the diminutive dwarf Thorin for three years in the "Hobbit" films; seeing the two characters side by side, you'd never know it's the same actor.
Armitage has already picked up a Critics' Choice bid for his performance as Dolarhyde. An Emmy nomination should follow.
Great article. Well written and TRUTH! (I haven't seen it but have followed the comments and reviews carefully.) Richard deserves more accolades, he tends to be underrated. An Emmy would be wonderful! Thanks, Laura.
shareAn Emmy would be wonderful!
Here's a new pic of RA with some of the team of Berlin Station. The lady next to him is Iris Gleicke, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, who, was visiting the set because Germany is helping to fund the series.
https://twitter.com/BMWi_Bund/status/709299072050597888
Easter tweet with selfie.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/713769509023297537
The lady in the picture is Rebecca Gausnell, a dialect coach. She tweeted this:
https://twitter.com/RebeccaGausnell/status/713797960866349057
Lucky lady .
shareLucky lady .
One of the Canary Islands. At least it will be warmer than Berlin.
http://ondafuerteventura.es/la-prestigiosa-productora-paramount-rodara-en-fuerteventura-la-serie-televisiva-berlin-station/
Here is a translation.
https://meandrichard.wordpress.com/2016/03/31/english-translation-of-fuerteventura-article-richardarmitage/
A couple of audio clips.
First Audible has released another clip from David Copperfield. This time featuring RA's favourite character to read Miss Mowcher.
https://www.audible.com/socialshare?id=0ece9cb9-c932-44d6-972b-d239a1f3e33d&source_code=AIPORWS04241590BF
And RA has done another advert voiceover. This time for Sky Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2wpT9KDd0c
We've already seen some stills from this scene, but here is a video featuring RA and Rhys Ifans.
http://vk.com/video214920224_456239017
So hes still filming B Station. Laura, do you know what hes doing after this project?
I want to see Urban and T.S.C. *Sigh*
So hes still filming B Station.
Laura, do you know what hes doing after this project?
Love this first one. Very intense. Great profile shot as well.
https://40.media.tumblr.com/f8dabc1a7f5d42b7189f444d24abac2a/tumblr_o57xc9TYX91s1wqs9o1_540.jpg
https://40.media.tumblr.com/5f1ce0c7a0c466f3bf35ff85c8e6a1c4/tumblr_o57xc9TYX91s1wqs9o2_540.jpg
This is the article they come from. It is an interview with a German actress in the show. RA does get a brief mention and is referred to as a 'US Actor.' LOL
http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/berlin/neue-us-agentenserie-dreht-sich-um-berliner-zeitung-23836752?dmcid=sm_tw
Translation.
https://meandrichard.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/translation-of-berliner-zeitung-article-richardarmitage/
Thanks for the article, Laura. Although it was of minor interest to me concerning Victoria Mayer; the name didn't ring a bell and according to her IMDb page she's done mostly TV stuff to date... none of which I watched. So I guess that interview was more for the benefit of the Berliner Zeitung featuring in BS, than about the actress.
RA does get a brief mention and is referred to as a 'US Actor.' LOL I must apologise on behalf of the German press. But this only shows that all news should be taken with a grain of salt--considering the inaccuracies you frequently tend to come across in articles about topics you have some knowledge about... No reason to think that all the others (we know nothing in detail about) are any better researched. share
I must apologise on behalf of the German press.
If they haven't heard of him before, they probably just assumed he was American because he is playing one.
... though, sadly, The Hobbit doesn't seem to have made much of a long-term impression, does it?
There has been a lot of speculation about who RA plays in this movie because he is not credited. I think Chrissyinwm over on the RA board might have solved it.
Here are her tweets.
https://twitter.com/chrissyinwm/status/719210932845613056
https://twitter.com/chrissyinwm/status/719226472804786177
Here is a larger still where you can see the king more clearly.
It looks like him to me.
http://41.media.tumblr.com/7717fc609bf68167d1af6741e817223d/tumblr_o5fle6gwRS1s1oat1o1_400.jpg
There has been a lot of speculation about who RA plays in this movie because he is not credited. I think Chrissyinwm over on the RA board might have solved it.Wow...definitely looks like him! Mystery solved! Thanks to Chrissyinwm!
Here are her tweets.
https://twitter.com/chrissyinwm/status/719210932845613056
https://twitter.com/chrissyinwm/status/719226472804786177
Here is a larger still where you can see the king more clearly.
It looks like him to me.
http://41.media.tumblr.com/7717fc609bf68167d1af6741e817223d/tumblr_o5fle6gwRS1s1oat1o1_400.jpg
Wow...definitely looks like him! Mystery solved! Thanks to Chrissyinwm!
The king has the same vertical indentation down the side of his forehead which Richard has. Definitely! That's what I saw too. I love that indentation of his! LOL. And the nose of course! It is a bit more straight than it used to be, yes, but as per the old debate, he most likely had surgery to straighten out the hook end after working on The Hobbit. It's been straight-er since then! I first noticed it at the premiere.
Anyway I'm glad that he is playing a real person and not a CGI character. Although he will be the chess piece as well. LOL!Well, this movie is going to be a mix of real and CGI like the previous one. Have you seen the older movie "Alice in Wonderland" from 2010 Laura? I actually saw it with a friend in the theater when it came out (he's a Burton fan - I'm not ). This upcoming movie is the sequel to it, isn't it? share
I love that indentation of his! LOL
Have you seen the older movie "Alice in Wonderland" from 2010 Laura? I actually saw it with a friend in the theater when it came out (he's a Burton fan - I'm not ). This upcoming movie is the sequel to it, isn't it?
It is doubling for Panama apparently. Translation courtesy of google translate. Some nice pictures as well.
http://www.elapuron.com/noticias/sociedad/18443/la-capital-se-convierte-en-panam-para-el-rodaje-de-berlin-station/
The capital becomes Panama for shooting Station Berlin
British actor Richard Armitage recorded several scenes in The Bridge
Citizens who have come today to the streets in Santa Cruz de La Palma found an unusual movement due to the filming of some scenes of the Berlin Station series starring British actor Richard Armitage Avenue Bridge, today set in Panama.
The avenue known capital has become for a few hours on a movie set for this series, which have also shot scenes in other parts of the island and La Galga and Los Tilos Los Llanos. This afternoon recorded in the bulb.
For the filming vehicles they have been brought over twenty years, especially you type trucks Toyota, which changed their license plates as if they were in Panama.
The recording of this series of Paramount Pictures has made for a few hours of life in the city has been disrupted in their daily pass, with limited traffic and parking, and is not a shoot of this is every day type is expected to come much more to the Isla Bonita.
The office of the Palma Film Commission, part of the public company SODEPAL, has brought its work promoting the work of the producer-responsible Seven Islands Film production tasks of the series in Canary for location scouting, hiring a local company for the casting selection of extras, crew accommodation and hiring professionals for different tasks Island, among others.
Notably, the president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Anselmo Pestana, and the mayor of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Sergio Matos, accompanied by the island's Minister of Tourism, Alicia Vanoostende, and the team of La Palma Film Commission have personally greeted the famous British actor who has today grabajado several scenes in the capital.
Anselmo Pestana greets actor Richard Armitage during filming in La Palma in the series ' Berlin Station'
British actor has performed several scenes from the TV show Paramount Pictures in the forest of Los Tilos in San Andrés y Sauces , in the bulb, in Los Llanos , and Avenue Bridge in Santa Cruz La Palma
The president of the Cabildo de La Palma, Anselmo Pestana, and the mayor of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Sergio Matos, accompanied by the island's Minister of Tourism, Alicia Vanoostende, and the team of La Palma Film Commission "have welcomed Tuesday personally famous British actor Richard Armitage, who is in the capital of the island to mark the filming of the Berlin Station series, "reports the insular Corporation in a statement.
The president, the mayor and the minister have commented Richard Armitage filming this actor has performed several scenes of this TV series Paramount Pictures in the forest of Los Tilos in San Andrés y Sauces in Lightbulb, Los Llanos, and avenue Bridge in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
The office of the Palma Film Commission, "public company dependent SODEPAL, has brought its work promoting the work of the Seven Island Film producer-responsible tasks in series production for the Canary location scouting, recruiting a local company for the casting selection of extras, crew accommodation and hiring professionals for different tasks Island, among others, "noted in the note.
More from La Palma. A little video:
https://www.facebook.com/TVlapalma/videos/778908658910230/
Someone has even done a gif of the shot where he taking a breath and gets himself into character. As they say, such concentration.
https://twitter.com/UltraVeloce/status/720029261696872449
La Palma! Gosh, I'm so envious! Fantastic island.
shareLa Palma! Gosh, I'm so envious! Fantastic island.
Thank you for keeping us informed about all things RA, Laura.
Actually, this thread has been a bit out of sequence again, ever since Genie posted her 'Trivia' message--it seems this happens occasionally when users' page setups (while logged in) are very different from the one you get when you're logged out. I remember the same thing happening before, at the short stories thread...
... which is why I answered to the message I've seen last on this thread in my page setup (which is the same for login and log out). So, now things should be back 'in line', I hope.
Thanks Birds.
shareActually, this thread has been a bit out of sequence again, ever since Genie posted her 'Trivia' message--it seems this happens occasionally when users' page setups (while logged in) are very different from the one you get when you're logged out. I remember the same thing happening before, at the short stories thread...Tell me about it! I feel so sorry to see the thread continuing from what is the middle (sometimes the beginning) with a bunch of abandoned posts trailing behind it.
... which is why I answered to the message I've seen last on this thread in my page setup (which is the same for login and log out). So, now things should be back 'in line', I hope.
But I think it has to do with the "flat" mode on IMDb Birds. If you switch the viewing mode to "flat", you'll see all these newer posts are indeed in sequence. Same thing happens in "inline" mode as well.
Keeping fingers crossed for RA! 👍
But I think it has to do with the "flat" mode on IMDb Birds. If you switch the viewing mode to "flat", you'll see all these newer posts are indeed in sequence. Same thing happens in "inline" mode as well.
I have mine set in 'flat' mode as I find it easier to view. That's why I hadn't noticed.Call me pedantic, but I really hate it when such things happen (I've got plenty of that at work at present--with our new computer systems still not yet quite up and running--I really, really don't need this here! ... *[/rant] *
Keeping fingers crossed for RA! 👍Same here! RA really deserves more recognition... but he seems to be one of those actors who get overlooked both at awards and by many casting teams. share
Not as clear as the last one but I think this must definitely be his cameo.
https://twitter.com/RCNY13/status/728380223591460864
ETA:
Same here! RA really deserves more recognition... but he seems to be one of those actors who get overlooked both at awards and by many casting teams.
But he does deserve recognition for Hannibal as IMHO this was another of his finest acting performances."Hannibal" feels like ages ago now, ; so, I hope the voting committee still remembers it come nomination time. It does sound like RA gave it his all based on your comments and the other reviewers online like that one from the Gold Derby. It still has a chance so let's see how it pans out in the coming months leading up to the Emmy nominations announcement.
And gosh, I can't believe they picked RA for this cameo in ATTLG. I mean, wonderful for him all, but it is a cameo. He went from sharing the lead in "The Hobbit" to this.
"The Hobbit" didn't really help boost his career, did it?No, it hasn't. But realistically, I didn't really think it would considering how the impact on the careers of the actors from "Lord of the Rings" was also minor for the most part. Except for Bloom and Mortensen, both of whom enjoyed a lot of success initially but have since quite vanished from Hollywood. It barely made a dent in Wood's career or any of the other hobbits.
He had a body double/stunt man, right Laura?
I wonder if it was that "beheading" scene we saw in the trailer.
No, it hasn't. But realistically, I didn't really think it would considering how the impact on the careers of the actors from "Lord of the Rings" was also minor for the most part. Except for Bloom and Mortensen, both of whom enjoyed a lot of success initially but have since quite vanished from Hollywood. It barely made a dent in Wood's career or any of the other hobbits.
But what happens after "BS" and this cameo from ATTLG?
Wasn't that a chess piece though? I don't really know the story. Maybe after being the King, he is then a chess piece later on. That's what I think too. I remember the first movie had a similar thing being live-action and all; it's symbolic, isn't it, to have her father, the King (RA) as the King chess-piece? It's her (the Queen's) backstory, isn't it?
I don't think playing a dwarf under all those prosthetics helped either. He has said that when going to auditions or castings they ask what work he has done because they don't make the connection with 'TH' because they don't recognise him. Maybe he should have played Bard. LOL!LOL! Yeah, the prosthetics definitely didn't help. I think audiences and studio/casting find it easier to relate to humans like Aragorn and Bard or "human-like" beings like Legolas and Thranduil rather than Gimli and Thorin. Sometimes, I wish he played Bard but he was more suited as Thorin, IMO.
As for the films he has made recently, I think Pilgrimage and Brain on Fire are due to be released this year.I had forgotten about these. And Sleepwalker. I have very low expectations for all of them like with Into the Storm. At least the subject and genre of ITS was about something that interests me, so I didn't mind watching that. But as for the others....well...let's see.
It's her (the Queen's) backstory, isn't it?
Sometimes, I wish he played Bard but he was more suited as Thorin, IMO.
I had forgotten about these. And Sleepwalker.
No, it hasn't. But realistically, I didn't really think it would considering how the impact on the careers of the actors from "Lord of the Rings" was also minor for the most part. Except for Bloom and Mortensen, both of whom enjoyed a lot of success initially but have since quite vanished from Hollywood. It barely made a dent in Wood's career or any of the other hobbits.At least, upon hearing their names everyone remembers that Wood, Bloom and Mortensen were in LotR. But with 'The Hobbit' hardly anyone goes "Oh Martin Freeman, wasn't he in 'The Hobbit'?", let alone remember any of the others--except for those who had been in LotR already (McKellen, Bloom, Lee, Blanchett)...
Really sad about "Urban" too. I hoped it would have made the indy-film circuit but it didn't, and I feel that it is all soo late now.I'm surprised that there is no talk about getting it aired on TV, as there probably is to be no 'real' theatrical release...
But I'm soo extremely happy that the one play he did on his return to theater got him an Olivier nomination! That's outstanding (!) but again, its impact is quite minimal in Hollywood. I do hope he returns to more theater in the future. I've also got the impression that he might be better off in theater work in the long run. On the downside, we won't see much of him then. But then, it doesn't really matter since we apparently don't get to see most of his new productions on screen anyway... (Sleepwalker was another one up on IMDb without a prospective release date, last time I checked)
There is also the added attraction of the very handsome French actor Stanley Weber. He's very cute, Laura!
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Stanley+Weber+Ruth+Alex+Premiere+41st+Deauville+DHMDc6hJ-k4l.jpg
He is in the second season of Outlander and even manages to look good in a powdered wig. LOL!
But with 'The Hobbit' hardly anyone goes "Oh Martin Freeman, wasn't he in 'The Hobbit'?", let alone remember any of the others--except for those who had been in LotR already (McKellen, Bloom, Lee, Blanchett)...Yeah, TH failed to make an impression with anyone. Sad, really. I had higher expectations for the trilogy but was disappointed in the end.
Yeah, TH failed to make an impression with anyone. Sad, really. I had higher expectations for the trilogy but was disappointed in the end.
Birds, I had read your earlier post before the edit and I have to say that I do agree with what you had written before. I felt the same but since I don't have the exact words from your post, let me just tell you what I think about TH.
...
And that's definitely RA in the new pic.
He had all that 48fps business which I thought was interesting but ultimately it didn't go down well at all; and all that animation over traditionally what were props and practical effects (despite the questionable stunts from LOTR too) made the movies look more like a videogame in the end.
I remember first getting that dreaded feeling after watching the escape scene from Goblin town.
He did the best he could do (and more!) with what he was given.
...and here it is, back again: My rant. But I'm feeling better for it.
Sometimes it does you good to have a goot rant.
Now a tweet with a selfie from RA. I suppose now his role has been confirmed he can tweet about it.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/729717550980972544
[...]and it would have needed a really good script to sort that out! And that's at core what I blame PJ for in TH: Shoddy writing. Doing films is about telling a story, after all!Agree 100%! Sigh...it could have been better but as you say, "It's all water under the bridge, after all."
I loved the HFR. I’m probably in the minority in that I didn’t mind the CGI either.I liked the HFR too Laura. And the quality of the CGI itself was stunning. But there was just tooo much of it IMO, on everything and everyone, that it took away whatever "realism" a film carries in its viewing despite the fantastical aspects of the story.
And yet, according to Jaydall over on the RA board, there were still people who didn’t think it was him.Well, I hope they are eating their hats now. LOL!
Here is confirmation by the Producer: ...
And another pic:Nice of the producer to give definite confirmation about RA's role.
https://twitter.com/teamsuz/status/729649396573474816
Now a tweet with a selfie from RA. I suppose now his role has been confirmed he can tweet about it. It's like he's reminding Disney he's in the movie too! ..and hmm...wait a sec...what the heck is he wearing here??
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/729717550980972544
I liked the HFR too Laura.
And the quality of the CGI itself was stunning.
Re: the Goblin town sequence, I have a feeling that was all Andy Serkis's doing actually . I believe he was 2nd unit director and that was one of his directions if I'm not mistaken
It's like he's reminding Disney he's in the movie too! ..and hmm...wait a sec...what the heck is he wearing here??
I'm not usually a fan of 3D but the HFR was different, it felt like you were actually in the scene.It did. But most of the critics and audience alike couldn't care less. And had PJ not gone the HFR route, there would have been no need to CGI all those real/live location scenes; because, if you remember from the BTS vids, Laura they had a red tinged makeup added to them for the HFR. So everything was smoothed out in post production because of the HFR.
Re: the Goblin town sequence, I have a feeling that was all Andy Serkis's doing actually .LOL! I feel terrible for pointing this point Laura, because I know how I overuse the emoticons, but I honestly wasn't pissed off at Serkis or at Disney (I'm not). LOL. I had used rather than this .
----------------
It's like he's reminding Disney he's in the movie too! ..and hmm...wait a sec...what the heck is he wearing here??
I'm thinking it might be a costume from the film.You think so? I thought it was what he was wearing at the moment, in present day, right before he tweeted. What kind of costume would that be though? It looked a bit like "native" wear.
The film premieres in London tonight.Wow. That was quiet and quick. I just saw the TV spot on TV yesterday for the first time. So it is surprising that RA wasn't added into the cast list before yesterday. What were they doing all this time?! Granted it is a cameo, but still....pfft. Well, I'm glad he's finally credited and listed on both his page and on the ATTLG's page.
https://twitter.com/Disney_UK/status/729628269042077696
I can totally understand how the error would have happened though. Not to worry...All good!
You think so? I thought it was what he was wearing at the moment, in present day, right before he tweeted. What kind of costume would that be though? It looked a bit like "native" wear.
Granted it is a cameo, but still....pfft. Well, I'm glad he's finally credited and listed on both his page and on the ATTLG's page.
P.S: If anyone is interested in reading a bit about the overuse of CGI in TH and comparing it to "Mad Max:Fury Road", check out these interesting links below....
For Hannibal.
BEST TV SUPPORTING ACTOR
Richard Armitage, HANNIBAL
Evan Peters, AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL
Lennie James, THE WALKING DEAD
Rory Kinnear, PENNY DREADFUL
Seth Gabel, SALEM
Write-ins: Ray Santiago, ASH VS. EVIL DEAD; Timothy Dalton, PENNY DREADFUL; Silas Weir Mitchell, GRIMM; Denis O’Hare, AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL; Harold Perrineau, CONSTANTINE; Steven Yeun, THE WALKING DEAD
Aww his tweet, hes a sweetie.
But, where the heck are all his movies. Maybe some of them are going right to dvd. Hmm.
Has anyone seen Urban?
Has anyone seen Urban?
The actress also doing a cameo as the Queen is Hattie Morahan, who was in the 2008 TV version of Sense and Sensibility. She is still uncredited.
https://twitter.com/UltraVeloce/status/731098544375877633
She was really good in Sense and S. Richard is playing a king in this?
Richard is playing a king in this?
Sorry that quality is not that good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=HZUO67A68BM&app=desktop
The actress also doing a cameo as the Queen is Hattie Morahan, who was in the 2008 TV version of Sense and Sensibility. She is still uncredited.Still uncredited? That's too bad. So now I wonder if the producer submitted the changes after all. I could add her to the cast list. Or should we wait to see if the producer gets around to it herself?
https://twitter.com/UltraVeloce/status/731098544375877633
I could add her to the cast list.
You could do it Lois and then if she does get a credit, we'll know that RA's was down to you as well. I'm not sure it was me Laura who got RA's name in since Chrissy (I believe) too admitted she put in the request.
Ok, so I just added Hattie Morahan. And now we'll wait and see.
I followed your lead and have just submitted a request that Hattie Morahan be added to the credits of 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' on IMDb, and on her own page as well. I followed your instructions from the RA Board. I'm not sure if we will be successful or how long these things take.
Here is gif of RA which shows that he does speak in his cameo.
https://twitter.com/UltraVeloce/status/732557061884547074
I followed your lead and have just submitted a request that Hattie Morahan be added to the credits of 'Alice Through The Looking Glass' on IMDb, and on her own page as well. I followed your instructions from the RA Board. I'm not sure if we will be successful or how long these things take.Awesome!
Woo-hoo! She's been added Laura, - both on the ATTLG page and on her own as well!
Perhaps, it also helps having more than one request too; I think it does. We did it! 👊
That wonderful. I see that she has been added as Queen Elsemere. I've noticed that RA credit has been changed to 'King Oleron' as well.Yes, I see it now. I was wondering too Laura since there was proof that her character name on the UA page was "Queen Elsemere" if they would stick with that or simply stick with "Queen of Underland".
Seeing RA's name change now has got me wondering if indeed the producer (finally) got around to submitting the necessary changes.
From a couple of people who have seen the film. RA is in two scenes about 5 minutes in total and he has a close up speech.
https://twitter.com/RCNY13/status/734427620734013440
https://twitter.com/RCNY13/status/734446329125015552
https://twitter.com/RCNY13/status/734450014815158273
https://twitter.com/chrissyinwm/status/734493750160990209
ETA:
RA gets a mention in this movie blogger's review.
"Thanklessly meriting even less screen-time, supremely talented actors Andrew Scott and Richard Armitage turn up out of nowhere for momentary roles, with nominal lip-service paid to Timothy Spall and Michael Sheen as they reprise their voice-roles from the original. Stephen Fry, captivating in his earlier performance as the Cheshire Cat, is largely relegated to fleeting asides and exposition. In his final role, Alan Rickman lends his highly distinguishable drawl to the proceedings as the butterfly Absolem."
Thanks for all the links and keeping us up to date, Laura!
From a couple of people who have seen the film. RA is in two scenes about 5 minutes in total and he has a close up speech.Only 5 mins?! Awww...that's even less than the "Captain America:TFA" Heinz Kruger role he had. share
Only 5 mins?! Awww...that's even less than the "Captain America:TFA" Heinz Kruger role he had.
I've read mixed reviews of the movie.
I think that was about what I expected. At least he has a speech as well.Truly a cameo then. Just that the way the RA board had gone on about the role, I thought there would be more of it. So what did it matter then that he wasn't credited as soon as he was on IMDb.
I've read mixed reviews of the movie.3/5 isn't so bad. I was expecting less actually. Audiences usually hate Sacha Baron Cohen in everything he does; so I thought they'd blast this too. And then I realized Tim Burton wasn't directing this; so that in itself means that it is highly probable that it will not do as well as the first movie (if the first movie did well at all....I certainly am not a fan).
------------------
Same here. Our newspaper gave it 3 out of 5 stars. Other reviews I saw were similar.
Audiences usually hate Sacha Baron Cohen in everything he does; so I thought they'd blast this too.
Someone took in the cinema. Love the first one.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cjcs36TXIAAjGVX.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjcqCE8WUAA6pWO.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjcqIt5VAAEPaTq.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CjaLZ_YWYAEQPnD.jpg
ETA:
One where he has shorter hair. Not sure why.
https://twitter.com/moew20160502/status/736096445325942784
There is already a plushie. LOL!
https://twitter.com/_sinnamin/status/735453315622932480
Cute plushie.
I saw these on the RA Board. Posted on Instagram by the woman who did the prosthetics. She makes some lovely comments about Richard as well. Amazing work. It must have been difficult to talk with this on his lip and in his mouth. Maybe it helped with the lisp though.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGGmMlhQt4a/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGGlhLTwt3E/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGGk0qhwt1w/
According to these tweets by the producer.
https://twitter.com/teamsuz/status/737392668313944064
https://twitter.com/teamsuz/status/738392839839731712
This is a positive review and it has a brief mention of RA.
"Seasoned actors the likes of Andrew Scott (who appears all-too briefly) and Richard Armitage wisp in and out, testament to the talented roster."
..in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category for 'Hannibal'.
http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/2016-emmy-guest-actor-in-a-drama-series-1201789524/
Looks like RA will be voting to remain in the European Union going off this tweet. Not that I'm surprised by that.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/740229039365980160
Also another tweet which says he will be making two announcements soon. So hopefully we will be finding out about his next project.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/740346114885423105
Looks like this will be one of RA's announcements. The movie's twitter page is following RA and now he is following them and various other people involved in the movie. Going off the other follows two of his 'Strike Back' costars - Toby Stephens and Colin Salmon are in it as well.
https://twitter.com/MidLifeMovie/following
I haven't heard of it before, but here is it's IMDb page. It is a comedy.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5420462/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
'Four friends reform their high school band to finally capture their dream, and in the process become an overnight sensation as the joke entry on the UK's biggest talent show.'
Still no announcements from RA, but this might be going to be his second. He rarely 'likes' tweets but he has this one from Chrissyinwm, which suggests she is correct about him being in this play in NYC.
https://twitter.com/chrissyinwm/status/740912782598639616?lang=en-gb
http://rtc.cloudtix.com/mobile/Ticketing/Section/22948
Found this on YouTube yesterday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_QRd_57Olw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc9ElklKhv0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guv2Ia6g4uI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjhy7g2WPDE
You might want to check it out before it is taken down again...
... just love his voice! And he did some great impersonations there.
On the downside though the story is a bit... inconsequential, and Horatia's stutter did nothing for me.
Thanks Birds.
shareI've been listening to excerpts. Love his impersonations.
On the downside though the story is a bit... inconsequential, and Horatia's stutter did nothing for me.
I like when he reads poetry. The emotion in his voice. When he did that I carry your heart poem, I think he was trying to make us swoon.
shareRA tweeted about going to work in Soho with a selfie, but then deleted it a few minutes ago. Maybe he had second thoughts because there has still not been an official announcement about the movie. I had the selfie saved though. His eyes (what you can see of them) look different to me.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b3/8d/4d/b38d4dcd5acf88552a9f1ede2afe495f.jpg
I wouldn't have recognised him in that picture. He looks so different! I like the look, though...
shareI wouldn't have recognised him in that picture. He looks so different! I like the look, though...
He looks like he has lost weight.
Soho? Is he doing a play in New York? I thought I read something aobut that. Or is this about the movie?
Soho? Is he doing a play in New York? I thought I read something aobut that. Or is this about the movie?
He has tweeted this article he has written for the 'The Cybersmile Foundation'. New picture as well.
https://www.cybersmile.org/blog/forgiveness-and-intention
He looks great, so handsome. I like that story on the top right about that girl in Utah. I wonder who the "ex actor " is that he mentions.
And he is so good looking. But I already said that...lol
He is a sweetie for doing this. 👍
So he is in London at the moment. This was taken outside the Hampstead theatre where RA went to see the play Wild the other night. Next to him is the writer, Mike Bartlett, who also wrote Love, Love, Love which is the play RA is rumoured to be doing in NYC in Autumn. Still no confirmation though.
https://twitter.com/verdandi21/status/745224257228181505
Looks like the shoot has been delayed. That is probably why there has been no announcement yet. Toby Stephens is no longer in it. I hope this delay doesn't cause problems for RA.
https://twitter.com/TobyStephensInV/status/745182722927169536?lang=en-gb
https://twitter.com/TobyStephensInV/status/745221528246169600?lang=en-gb
Toby Stephens is no longer in it.
Oh drat! TS and RA together in a movie would have been great.
RA has won again (he won last year in the film category for Best Supporting Actor for 'The Battle of the Five Armies'). This time he won for Best Supporting Actor for 'Hannibal'. Such a shame he wasn't there.
https://twitter.com/SaturnAwards1/status/745843156323807233
ETA:
Mads Mikkelsen who was nominated in the Best TV Actor category didn't win but 'Hannibal' won Best Action/Thriller Television Series.
Besides have a spectacular handsome face, he eyes are gorgeous!!!😘
shareOh darn, I had posted b4 I saw this. Would have been nice though.
shareOh darn, I had posted b4 I saw this. Would have been nice though.
Richard AND Toby in a movie together. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!😘👍
shareSo he might do a play in NY. The fans are probably waiting for the news, is he or isnt he. Waiting is part of being a fan, lol.
Love, love love...thats a lot of love.
Hi, Samyellow.
So no Toby in the movie. Maybe next time.
Lovely and amusing exchange of tweets between RA and 'Vicar of Dibley' co-star Dawn French after his Saturn Award win.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/746015878458802176
With heartfelt message.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/747567150353776640
Thanks for sharing, Laura.
shareShort but very nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGJbiB7vNbw
So cool! Thanks for posting that link, Laura.
shareRumours are that RA isn't doing this movie now. Not certain yet, but there never was an official announcement and he has stopped following the film's page and director on Twitter (although he is still following some of the other people involved). Maybe it was because of the same reason that Toby Stephens dropped out in that the delay has meant it would clash with something else such as this play in NYC.
ETA:
Sorry thomas, I forgot to say that I'm glad that you liked the advert.
Spookily RA has tweeted about only hours after I posted. I was right it was because of delays.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/751901326284562433
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/751901732498792448
I saw that on Twitter last night and thought, "I know that. Laura told us about it already." Ha!
shareI saw that on Twitter last night and thought, "I know that. Laura told us about it already." Ha!
RA has tweeted about the play. So now it is official.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/753272881740648449
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/753273915443703808
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/753274382433284096
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/753277641130668032
And retweeted this one:
https://twitter.com/broadwaycom/status/753274052685561856
Thanks Laura. So its an off-Broadway play. I have heard of Amy Ryan. Laura, when is the play, do you know?
New Yorkers are lucky with all the plays and Broadway etc they have there. Great city, but the hotels are $$$$$🏨
He is good at this tweeting thing, he says a lot in 1-2 sentences.👍
Laura, when is the play, do you know?
New Yorkers are lucky with all the plays and Broadway etc they have there.
Great city, but the hotels are $$$$$🏨
Berlin Station is about 15 seconds in.
https://content.epixhd.com/webassets/static/movies/videos/2510/promos_10786.mp4
http://www.etonline.com/tv/194203_epix_debuts_first_trailer_from_cia_spy_drama_berlin_station/
ETA: He looks so young in that first scene.
This looks like something Richard would ace, no problem. Great info/teaser, thanks, Laura.
shareThis looks like something Richard would ace, no problem. Great info/teaser, thanks, Laura.
He does look young there doesn't he? Richard never ages, it's just the rest of us who do.
(Do you notice a recurring theme here Laura? ) Oy.
If you guys don't get it until Spring of next year, when will it show over here? Why such a time lag in getting it out?
If you guys don't get it until Spring of next year, when will it show over here? Why such a time lag in getting it out?
Another rather nice picture which RA has tweeted.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/760194763635191808
Still handsome (he always will be) but he's looking really lean isn't he? Has he lost some weight for a role, or is it just me?
The lady who makes the plushies is going to do well Cute! What "outfit" is he wearing? (Sorry I'm out of the loop.)
Has he lost some weight for a role, or is it just me?
What "outfit" is he wearing? (Sorry I'm out of the loop.)
Hey! Just back from my holidays and still catching up.... but look what I found:
http://www.frockflicks.com/mcm-richard-armitage/
Birds! Welcome back!
What a great find. I enjoyed reading the article and looking at the photos. She keeps it interesting. "Frock Flicks" looks like a fun and slightly wicked site. I'll have to explore it some more. Love the tag line "Because stretch velvet isn't historically accurate." Thanks for sharing this one. See you over on the Homeless thread and tell us about your trip. :)
Thanks for the info about the origin of the outfit for Richard's plushie, Laura. I should have realized it might be from a Berlin Station gig. Are you buying one?
Thanks for that Birds. Welcome back!
Are you buying one?
What a great find. I enjoyed reading the article and looking at the photos. She keeps it interesting. "Frock Flicks" looks like a fun and slightly wicked site. I'll have to explore it some more.
Oh I really like that JT plushie, Laura! Treat yourself.
.. those guys take the costuming part of films very seriously, and if the showmakers get things wrong there they may become a bit bitchy about the whole show.
I will be checking it out further because it really does look interesting and they do do their homework...
I saw this on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/grissomfish01/status/762591806173437954
RA has just joined facebook and Instagram. Heavily promoting the Berlin Station at the moment.
https://www.facebook.com/RichardCArmitage/
https://www.instagram.com/richardcarmitage/
I noticed his Instagram account via Twitter. Smart move.
He already has a ton of followers. Of course.
'Brain On Fire' article with some new pics of RA.
http://theplaylist.net/tiff-first-look-chloe-grace-moretz-brain-fire-20160816/
Also new video about 'Berlin Station' with clips and interviews.
https://amp.twimg.com/v/82722b93-c453-41f2-97be-4f2b2581c3a1
Ooo, nice pictures of Richard. And thanks for the Berlin Station clip. Now I know what the main story is.
shareYou're welcome thomas.
Here is confirmation that the new audiobook RA is doing is Romeo and Juliet.
http://davidhewson.com/romeo-and-juliet-a-new-audiobook-original-with-richard-armitage/
Happy 45th Birthday to RA!
shareWow! I forgot about that. He looks amazing for 45. THe man never ages .
shareWow! I forgot about that. He looks amazing for 45. THe man never ages .
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/23/12-tv-series-to-watch-this-fall/
- “Berlin Station,” Epix; Oct. 16. Could any series be more timely? A whistleblower has gained fame and notoriety for leaking secrets from the CIA’s Berlin office. CIA Officer Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage, “Hannibal”) arrives in Berlin on a clandestine mission to identify and stop this obscure scoundrel. The mood is tense and somber. The look is brooding. This thriller boasts an international collection of flawed or broken characters played by a global cast including Michelle Forbes and Richard Jenkins. In sum: Think John le Carre meets “True Detective.”share
Nice peek! Sounds like he had fun on his e-bike . This honestly looks like it will be such an interesting series.
shareThis honestly looks like it will be such an interesting series.
Unfortunately, I will have to wait for DVD to come out.Will there actually be a DVD? How do Epix generally handle their productions, Laura? share
A bit of an OTT description, even though he'd very much deserve to be just this...
Will there actually be a DVD? How do Epix generally handle their productions, Laura?
It would be a shame if there was no DVD. I've never heard of Epix either.
Thanks for sharing that link, Birds. It's a very thorough list (yep, a bit over the top) but...no mention of N&S?
'Berlin Station' has its own Twitter page, so I have tweeted them asking if there will be DVD release.
but...no mention of N&S?
His starring roles in such high-profile TV productions as “North and South”, “Spooks (US title: MI-5)”, “Robin Hood” and “Strike Back” have established him as one the most popular actors in the UK, with a massive fan following.
http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/Love-Love-Love/Love-Love-Love-Cast-and-Creative.aspx"With several well-established projects in the United States, Armitage has quickly risen to be a leading man in Hollywood as well."
I got no reply to my tweet even though it was backed up by another fan. A couple of posters on the RA board seem to think that there will be DVD eventually though.
shareI know it does sometimes get missed out when his credits are listed but it wasn't this time Alfa. It was in this sentence:
His starring roles in such high-profile TV productions as “North and South”, “Spooks (US title: MI-5)”, “Robin Hood” and “Strike Back” have established him as one the most popular actors in the UK, with a massive fan following.
Thanks, Laura. Not from lack of reading it twice. Good grief.
A tabby cat! 🐈 😍
https://twitter.com/zymphonie/status/773899293547638784
https://twitter.com/mooseturds/status/773914560977788928
Maybe he will like them better after working with one.
Is it just me or do we get a glimpse of that signature N&S very brief smile just before he picks him up? He handles him quite gently. I hope he does like cats better after working with one. Did anyone find out the cat's name?
Is it just me or do we get a glimpse of that signature N&S very brief smile just before he picks him up? He handles him quite gently. I hope he does like cats better after working with one. Did anyone find out the cat's name?
His character has a girlfriend and a child as well, but I was more interested in the cat. I don't know the name but I love that it is a tabby like my Oliver was.
I've owned several tabbies and Jackson, as you may recall, was my favourite
No grandmother of the year award for me either!
Please do let us know if they post that link, Laura.
The link I mentioned on vanityfair.Com is working again. Unfortunately it is now geolocked for me.
http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/09/epix-premieres-a-slate-of-original-programming-that-shows-us-what-matters-now
Someone on RA's page has found the two episodes on someone's Unofficial Berlin Station Facebook page though. I also have a couple of other links someone PM'd me so I will be able to watch next week.
https://www.facebook.com/MRSMILLER61/videos/503120429898194/
https://www.facebook.com/MRSMILLER61/videos/503099949900242/
Thanks for those links Laura. I can't get the vanityfair.com one either, and on the facebook links I can only get Episode 2, Episode one is "currently unavailable". I'll keep trying though...but isn't' that odd? I"ll work at it.
shareThanks a LOT, Laura...that's a dozen good-karma brownie points for you at least! I managed to watch both episodes last night - checked the links this morning and the first episode is no longer available for me either.
Now I want the rest. Pretty much instantly.
birds - what is your opinion on his German? Doesn't really sound like someone who grew up here, does he? Also his American accent had me double-check a couple of times whether it was actually Armitage talking.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
No, that link to the first episode isn't working for me now either. Thankfully I have them downloaded from elsewhere. Hope to watch some later.
Also his American accent had me double-check a couple of times whether it was actually Armitage talking.
I did get used to it. Much prefer his northern English accent though. 😘
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I did get used to it.
Much prefer his northern English accent though. 😘
I'm not an expert, merej, but I'd say that RA's German doesn't match up with his character's background story, imo. Grammar and choice of words are flawless but the foreign accent is really strong... For someone who grew up in Germany it should rather be the other way round: the odd mistake in the words he uses but there shouldn't be much of an accent once he's back in the country and amongst German native speakers.
Actually, while I can't vouch for his American accent when speaking English, he definitely doesn't have an American one when speaking German.
Actually, while I can't vouch for his American accent when speaking English, he definitely doesn't have an American one when speaking German.
I'm not an expert, merej, but I'd say that RA's German doesn't match up with his character's background story, imo. Grammar and choice of words are flawless but the foreign accent is really strong... For someone who grew up in Germany it should rather be the other way round: the odd mistake in the words he uses but there shouldn't be much of an accent once he's back in the country and amongst German native speakers.
I assume little Daniel wasn't really playing much with the local kids. 😖
I am pretty sure the language thing is not deliberate. Still - there's most likely more to him than meets the eye.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
OOh I have to watch it. You guys are ahead of me.
The cat doesn't have a name but I love that he rescued it.
Well, it's not a stray so it probably has a name, it's just not very forthcoming with it. Which in my experience suggests that it's got something to hide.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
No name or it hasn't been mentioned? Or has it just been rescued and he hasn't yet named it? (Sorry you non-animal people . Don't roll your eyes.).
Which in my experience suggests that it's got something to hide.
...and the plot thickens.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
...and the plot thickens.
Feline Station - where mice are moles and cheese will set you free
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Spooky!
shareVery! And we could easily have Armitage in FS as well - All it takes is some little makeup as at 1:16 of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZnTnaTfG7A
I so much want to watch this one. 😞
That laugh at 1:20 is totally infectious - and I am not even wasted.😊
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Feline Station - where mice are moles and cheese will set you free
I so much want to watch this one. 😞
It's a great song and seems to fit perfectly...as far as one can tell...without being able to actually watch the film.
And to think what dross makes it to the big screen instead makes me want to kick fluffy bunnies (not very hard, but still).
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
You guys are on a bit of a roll here....
shareIt's a great song and seems to fit perfectly...as far as one can tell...without being able to actually watch the film.
Hey Birds. Yeahhh I'm not sure he is a leading man in Hollyweird, er, Hollywood, but I think he deserves it. He has it all. But its so weird here, you never know who is going to make it or not.
But he lives here now, maybe that is helping him get more acting jobs?
I'm so behind. Did he do the play in New York yet, the love play?
Colour me needy but I'd take it in Betamax homevideo format if necessary.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
So would I. LOL!
Meanwhile here is a review of Brain On Fire from the Toronto International Film Festival.
http://thetfs.ca/2016/09/14/tiff-2016-review-brain-on-fire/
Cheers for that! Looking forward to BOF as well, though the review sounds a bit lukewarm.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
The review doesn't mention Richard specifically other than to say he plays the role of the father. And this line does sound 'lukewarm":
It works best whenever Moretz is on screen, and stumbles a bit whenever she isn’t, but on the whole it’s handled with a necessary delicate touch that makes it work quite well.
I'd just love to see 'Urban and the Shed Crew'! This is the one film project RA did in recent years I've been most excited about. But so far no 'proper' release in sight, no DVD release date... nothing, nada, nix.
I'm sort of indifferent about 'Brain on Fire' so far...
I'd just love to see 'Urban and the Shed Crew'! This is the one film project RA did in recent years I've been most excited about
This is the one film project RA did in recent years I've been most excited about.
I'm sort of indifferent about 'Brain on Fire' so far...
I'm sort of indifferent about 'Brain on Fire' so far...
I'm so behind. Did he do the play in New York yet, the love play?
But you work in the medical profession, Laura.
I don't know too much about Pilgirimage...Ireland...monks...umm...maybe not.
Why this one, Laura?
https://www.facebook.com/RoundaboutTheatreCompany/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154083926904983
Close up pic. Looking handsome. Nice hair. Nice legs.
https://66.media.tumblr.com/e4e1e84bb7da14e976f0d752fbdb2e11/tumblr_odm07ecUuu1s1wqs9o2_540.jpg
ETA:
Behind the Scenes Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHsbjJ8mvaE
Thanks for all the information, Laura!
Close up pic. Looking handsome. Nice hair. Nice legs.
https://66.media.tumblr.com/e4e1e84bb7da14e976f0d752fbdb2e11/tumblr_odm07ecUuu1s1wqs9o2_540.jpg
That 'close-cropped' look in BS makes him look rather harsh.
That 'close-cropped' look in BS makes him look rather harsh
I like it, the more closely-cropped, the better - love to see his ears which are rather nice indeed.
Exactly. Jackson screwed up with the casting - they could have saved a LOT of money on ear prosthetics, if they'd got it right.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Some tweets from fans.
https://twitter.com/nycpat838/status/779100217262149632
https://twitter.com/DaphneHS/status/779125295987167232
https://twitter.com/DaphneHS/status/779135108750204928
https://twitter.com/DaphneHS/status/779152082385395714
ETA:
An interview with UPI.com.
NEW YORK, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- British film, stage and television star Richard Armitage says living in New York and making his off-Broadway debut in Mike Bartlett's Love, Love, Love is "a bit of a dream."
The Roundabout Theatre Company production co-stars Alex Hurt, Zoe Kazan, Ben Rosenfield and Amy Ryan. With an official opening night planned for Oct. 19, the limited engagement will play through Dec. 18 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. The dark comedy is being directed by Michael Mayer.
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"We need an audience, so everyone is very excited and ready to go," Armitage told UPI in a phone interview.
"It's a first for me, but it's a nice play. It's a good play. It's got some important themes in it, but, at the same time, it's a lot of fun. I've been in the rehearsal room for four weeks and I think I've laughed every day, which has been a real tonic," he added. "I've wanted to work with Michael Mayer for a long time. I've also been an admirer of Mike Bartlett's work for some time, so the opportunity to work on a British play in an American context, I think, was really good and I've wanted to work at the Roundabout for awhile, as well, so all three of those combinations sort of fell into place."
The 45-year-old actor went on to say he is enjoying living in New York.
"It's great. It's so nice to be able to step out of your door and get on a subway and arrive at 42nd Street and go to work. It's a bit of a dream for an actor. I have to pinch myself every day. So, yeah, I love it. It's very buzzy," he noted.
Asked if he attracts much attention from fans while he is out and about, he replied: "I've always been pretty lucky in that respect. I don't tend to get recognized. Posters for [my new TV show] Berlin Station have started going up, so there are a couple of people doing a double take, but, on the whole, it's pretty easy to live in New York City. I think there are so many well-known people here that everyone's pretty cool about it."
Armitage is best known for his work in The Hobbit film franchise, as well as on TV's Hannibal, MI-5, Robin Hood and North and South. His espionage thriller series Berlin Station is to premiere on EPIX Oct. 16.
Sweet - thanks for that! 😆
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Some tweets with videos. I presume he will be meeting the fans at the stage door every night like he did during The Crucible run.
https://twitter.com/animejunki71/status/779176794725425152
https://twitter.com/raloveslp/status/779892607069589504
This is cute. It looks like he is trying not to laugh.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QviFWmlYE8
Sometimes, for me, RA gets it so wrong when he is casual. Not keen on this ensemble at all from opening night.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtXZwMOVIAEJfyM.jpg
But this is much better.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtOeqevXgAAI4nZ.jpg
So wrong, Richard!
Laura, you're right, the second photo is much better but I wish he would lose that baseball cap. Not a fan of baseball caps, doesn't matter whose head they're on.
Sometimes, for me, RA gets it so wrong when he is casual. Not keen on this ensemble at all from opening night.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CtXZwMOVIAEJfyM.jpg
Bless him, I think he's got no dress sense whatsoever.
Nice pics. Love the Brandenburg Gate one!
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
He took a break from the play to attend the LA premiere of Berlin Station. If it wasn't for the forehead crinkles, I wouldn't have recognised him. LOL!
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/781441364194189312
Here is a Q&A session on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/EpixHD/status/781705709758984192
ETA:
At the Premiere
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK_BvKtAhO6/?taken-by=richardcarmitage
If it wasn't for the forehead crinkles, I wouldn't have recognised him. LOL! I can hardly recognize him myself sometimes!
Love his tie in that last picture! Thanks for sharing, Laura.
shareLove his tie in that last picture! Me too! Love it!! 🍍
James Marsden has had fillers? But he looks so young to begin with. Hollywood really is all about "looks" isn't it? I didn't think guys would start having work done so early but I guess it's the sign of the times.
That stylist is doing a great job!
James Marsden has had fillers? But he looks so young to begin with. Hollywood really is all about "looks" isn't it? I didn't think guys would start having work done so early but I guess it's the sign of the times.Oh, I thought he's got something done Alfa. His face seems "tighter" in some of his more recent pics.
That stylist is doing a great job!I agree. I wasn't much of a fan when we first saw RA dressed by her. And I still thinks she puts them all in really tight clothes but I like the colour palates and the prints and patterns and so the overall style. 👍 share
I think that's the same stylist from his Hobbit days, right Laura?
He looks so handsome in the pictures and the video. He never seems to age (good for him!).
So there is a good chance of an international release. Yes!
How nice of him to keep things "at home" and so personal. He's a lovely, kind, generous man, that's for sure.
He should be cloned.
He should be cloned
OK, he's definitely starting to look too young now. Time to stop the Benjamin-Buttoning, if you please!
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Nice selfies. Thanks for sharing, Ms. Laura!
I noticed in the Instagram comments of both photos that someone named akelarach is sticking to a plan:
akelarach Future husband
Subtle but resolute. 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Subtle but resolute. 😀
Just sitting around with a robe, no shirt, bare feet...and that hair! The others are decently dressed....I wonder what that scene's about?
shareJust sitting around with a robe, no shirt, bare feet...and that hair! The others are decently dressed....I wonder what that scene's about?
I'll have to check this one out later (with no interruptions). Thanks, Laura.
shareI'll have to check this one out later (with no interruptions). Thanks, Laura.
Don't you wish those celebrities would get a life and stop stalking us ordinary people? 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
You're not "ordinary", Ms. Laura!
Of course neither is Ms.Merej
Oh lord I"m so behind...must watch this video and get a life. A more organized life. Not in that order.
You're not "ordinary", Ms. Laura!
Of course neither is Ms.Merej
Oh lord I"m so behind...must watch this video and get a life. A more organized life. Not in that order.
You're not "ordinary", Ms. Laura!
Don't you wish those celebrities would get a life and stop stalking us ordinary people? 😀
Thanks for that review link, Laura. It's not a huge "rave rave" review but it is definitely positive and should garner some interest. I liked it!
Organizing is overrated.
Looks like it will premiere in July 2017 - which is two years since it was made. Mind you, we are will waiting for 'Urban.'
https://richardarmitageblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/04/pilgrimage-premiere-will-be-in-july-2017/
Looking good but still wearing that baseball cap I'm afraid Alfa.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuXfSWdWEAAotmp.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuXfT-OW8AAU3j1.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuWwAaLWIAECiL8.jpg
He just won't listen, will he?
Cute pics, cap notwhithstanding.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Cute pics, cap notwhithstanding.
Them silly kids!
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Them silly kids!
Love, Love, Love Is All Richard Armitage Needs to Make His New York Stage Debut
As his television series Berlin Station gets ready to premiere, Armitage also stars in the new play by Tony nominee Mike Bartlett.
David Gordon • Off-Broadway • Oct 12, 2016
Richard Armitage isn't a household name in New York, but if he walks down the street, he might see his face on the side of a bus. The British actor is the star of the new Epix television series about the CIA titled Berlin Station, which is in the middle of a huge advertising push in advance of its October 16 premiere.
Just days after that, on October 19, the British-born Armitage will open the show that marks his American stage debut, the Roundabout Theatre Company off-Broadway production of Mike Bartlett's Love, Love, Love at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
"These things come in waves," says Armitage, but it's clear that this veteran of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, NBC's Hannibal, and Yaël Farber's barnstorming London revival of The Crucible, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination, is happy to ride them.
How did this role come about?
I've been sniffing around at the Roundabout for a while now. I met [casting director] Jim Carnahan a couple of years ago and he's been a very loyal advocate of mine. He came to see The Crucible [in London] twice. This came at the right time. I've been trying to work with Michael Mayer and Mike Bartlett. We come from similar backgrounds, Mike and I. The more I've gotten to know him, the more I realize we're the same generation, with the same interests, and the same kind of philosophy. The play really fits quite well into my world. It fell into place a little bit like that.
What is it like, as a British actor, to be doing the American premiere of a British play?
With four other Americans. [laughs] It's sort of a reversal for me. In the past couple of years, I've been the one trying to pass off an American dialect. My sympathy was with these guys, but they were brilliant from the outset. The subject matter is very specific to a period of time in Britain.
How familiar were you with Britain's baby boomer generation? Did you do much in the way of research?
It's a generalized sweep of the baby boomer generation. I looked at the baby boomer generation in Britain and the difference between that and in America. We didn't have the Vietnam War, which had a massive effect on that generation. The characters of Sandra and Kenneth are so narcissistic and self-absorbed in their vision of themselves in the world. I don't think it represents everybody. They came out of the sixties with such a vision for the future and such propulsion against their rather staid parents, and they carried that self-absorption into later life. As a large proportion of the voting populace, they were able to manipulate politics to suit themselves.
Are you a Beatles fan like the characters in the play?
I was actually into Cream. I'm an Eric Clapton fan. At one point we weren't going to be able to get the rights to the Beatles songs, so we found a Cream song that would sort of sit in it place, and we changed the script. Luckily we got the rights to the Beatles song, so all was well. It was about to become a big disaster.
Is it nerve-racking to open a play at the same time that your TV show, Berlin Station, is premiering?
It's nice. I mean it's kind of weird. I'm onstage every night and then I get on the subway and I'm confronted with posters, or I get in a car and I'm being chased by a taxi that has my own face on it. It does happen like that. These things come in waves. It's good for the play, it's good for the TV show. The subject matter couldn't be more different, which is nice. It's good to feel like you're being prolific, and I'm sure it'll go very quietly off after Christmas.
Do people recognize you?
Only if I put my coat over my face and look shiftly around, which I tend to do most of the time. [laughs]
Do people recognize you?
Only if I put my coat over my face and look shiftly around, which I tend to do most of the time.
Here is a fun one. He is a bit giggly. Maybe the end of a long day.
http://comicbook.com/2016/10/11/richard-armitage-reveals-his-captain-american-the-first-avenger-/
She has been to see it and I think she liked it.
https://twitter.com/MishkaForbes/status/786191978342014976
https://twitter.com/MishkaForbes/status/786193053233061889
That sure doesn't sound too dismissive.😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/entertainment-news/219725/Richard-Armitage-Im-not-Hugh-Jackman
I suppose he is a little like him. LOL!
'Just sell me the apples, I'm the other one'
I don't really see the resemblance tbh - beard or nor beard.
Some older pics of David Conrad (Ghost Whisperer) otoh can make me do a double take:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175633/mediaviewer/rm3723673856
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175633/mediaviewer/rm3460423424
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175633/mediaviewer/rm3114307072
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Lots of good info on these posts, Ms. Laura! Of course I still hate that baseball hat .
Richard's a busy guy.That's a rave "review" from his co-star, undoubtedly well deserved. He always has a sense of humour in any situation; he's quite modest which makes him very likeable and appealing.
I've always thought that he looks like Jackman only if you catch him in a photo the "right" way, other than that, not so much. David Conrad...yes those photos make me do a double take as well but Conrad has a less pronounced nose. Nice looking
Great stuff!
He always has a sense of humour in any situation; he's quite modest which makes him very likeable and appealing.
but Conrad has a less pronounced nose. Nice looking
Some older pics of David Conrad (Ghost Whisperer) otoh can make me do a double take:
He always has a sense of humour in any situation; he's quite modest which makes him very likeable and appealing.
That of course would require him to be a very good actor.
Not interesting enough though - Armitage wins by a nose.
He is always very modest in his interviews. Speaking of humour, here is an outtake from an interview to come. LOL!
https://twitter.com/Brett/status/786219598618124290
It won't play for me...I guess it's the computer settings. 😞 😖 😫
It's quite refreshing really - I mean, if I want mind-numbingly clever and facetious, I can just talk to myself.
(Also I saw him answer the same questions over and over in Hobbit interviews (such as the one about being tall to play a dwarf) and he always acted like it was the first time he was asked it.
That question reminds me of when my sister first found out how huge tuna really are - she didn't say a word but her face was all 'how on earth do they manage to put them into those tins?'
Love this one:
http://parade.com/515767/rielyhaven/exclusive-clip-richard-armitage-travels-to-epixs-berlin-station/#bs_102_00090_r
New television shows aren’t limited to the Big 3 networks anymore. With streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, more and more new content is available to the discerning viewer and smaller networks are nipping at their heels with content too. Premium network EPIX is joining the fold with their own original scripted content and they’re drawing a lot of attention and star power to their shows. Nick Nolte and Sela Ward star in Graves, about a former president of the United States admitting to his mistakes while in office and premiering October 16 on EPIX is Berlin Station, an espionage spy thriller along of the lines of MI-5 (which, coincidentally also starred Richard Armitage) and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It stars Richard Armitage (North and South) along with Michelle Forbes (Orphan Black) and Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill).
I sat down with Richard Armitage this summer to chat about the show.
For those who aren’t familiar with Berlin Station, can you tell them a little more about you character and the show?
The character is Daniel Miller, a CIA operative who identifies a leak in the agency, and it is happening from Berlin. He is sent to Berlin to try to flush out the leak, a character named Thomas Shaw. We follow Daniel into Berlin and he brings us into Berlin Station where we start to track every single character.
I feel like the character has some similarities to your character on Spooks (MI-5) and Strike Back. What draws you to these roles?
This one in particular is quite different for me because I was fascinated with the fact that as a European playing an American, in a way, Daniel grew up with a European childhood. The thing that interested me was the idea of somebody who is a patriot but is questioning his patriotism, he is questioning his government, and he is questioning the institution that he works for, that being the CIA.
And, unlike Spooks and Strike Back, he is a very normal person. He is good in his job, but he is not a superhero. He is a very normal person with normal flaws and he is put into an extraordinary circumstance that stretches him and forces him to kind of question himself. I think that is what interested me about it.
Among theater, TV, and film – do you have a preference?
It depends. When I am on stage, I love the immediate response that you get from the audience, and the immediacy of the material, and the longevity of the play. And the fact that once it starts, you are just immersed in that character for 2.5 to 3.5 hours, maybe.
But at the same time, in film, I love piecing together a character and story in tiny fragments so you can work on extreme detail. And I love handing it over to an editor who will make it coherent and make it more exciting than it was on a day. And also working on a relative vacuum of privacy, I really enjoy it and bringing it to an audience at a later date. So, it depends where I am.
You were actually one of my picks for a possible next James Bond. If anything, what would you change about the character, or how would you approach it differently?
Of James Bond? I guess the thing that is stimulating to me about this material is a heroic figure who is forced to question everything that he knows to secure his government. In James Bond’s case, his queen and country, his sense of national pride, and the institution that he works for, is put on a knife-edge and you are forced to question who are the good guys here and who are the bad guys because it comes in such a grey area. I think that would be a fascinating way to approach a character.
You tend to lean toward serious roles although you have done Vicar of Dibley. Are you going to be doing more comedies in the future?
I was supposed to be doing a little comedy this summer. But unfortunately, the movie fell apart. It is definitely on my radar. When I see something comedic, I jump on it.
The play that I am doing for the rest of the year on Broadway, Love Love Love, is black comedy. It has political flavor. It’s written by Mike Bartlett who I think is almost a prolific, political playwright, at the moment. His tone is comedic and I am looking forward to that.
Do you follow U.S. politics and what do you think…
I am glued to the news cycle; cannot take my eyes of it.
What do you think of Trump and Clinton?
The thing that bothers me the most, and it is something unusual for me, is that I really hate the kind of aggressive mood swinging personality competition.
In England, we vote for the party. We don’t vote for the prime minister or president. We hear a lot of policy. It is changing and I don’t like it. I don’t understand why two people in opposition can’t say, “I hear your point of view, I disagree to that, and here is why.”
It boils down to calling people out on various things, and that is not their job. That is the media’s job. It is their job to be reasonable people who can debate each other. Essentially, they will be working for the same thing. They should be. It disturbs me.
Your character on Hannibal was silent most of the time onscreen; Did you have to approach that differently?
I never thought he was a silent character.
I guess in the way he is crafted in the book, because of his speech impediment, his speech is a very uncomfortable place for him, but I have always felt like I was a silent movie actor on screen anyway.
I come from a physical background so I enjoy the physical presence of the character on screen.
I do believe that the greatest movies are played without dialogue. The dialogue sometimes belongs in theatre and in transition, in television, but a movie, you can cut 90% of the dialogue, and still tell them an amazing story. I was sort of in my element, I think.
I understand you have a background in dance?
I do. I trained when I was very young and danced. But, I was never very good. My brain was too active. I wanted language and poetry and literature. So I left it behind.
Are there any causes you support that you want to talk about?
There are a couple of causes actually. I always work with a lot of children’s charities and I did a movie recently, not that recently actually, it is called Urban & the Shed Crew which we are trying to get released. Some of the profits will go to a charity called Action for Children. The movie is about disadvantaged children in the north of England. It is something I am passionate about.
I also work with Young Minds which is mental health charity for children in the UK. I believe that the way we protect and care to our young people is what will create our next society.
Do you play any instrument?
I do. I play flute and cello. Recently, I started to learn guitar.
Any projects or update you want to talk about?
The play… Love, Love, Love written by Mike Bartlett. As I said, he is probably our most contemporary socio-political playwright; Very witty writer; it is sort of the vein of Harold Pinter – very much about now. The subject matter of the play is about the Baby Boom generation – what they have to the Generation X children. It could not be more topical with what is happening in the UK, about the Brexit vote. It is about that subject.
I’m going to London for the first time; what would you recommend I do that is not touristy, or restaurant off the beaten path?
That is a tricky one. I would say, go to the Royal Academy of Arts. There is an always fantastic exhibition there. I would also say take a walk around Hyde Park just on foot. I will tell you where else is great: Around Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market. You get an amazing curry there. You’ll will really see the truly diverse London that is really great.
What is your favorite meal?
I think Japanese.
Do you have a romantic meal; like a go-to meal that you like to cook? Do you cook, or order in?
I guess being a Brit, I am pretty good at a good roast dinner. I roast a chicken and I am great at roast potatoes.
What was the last book you read or your favorite book?
The last book I read is called the Jilted Generation. It is prep for my play and it is about Baby Boomers. Fictionally, the last book I read was The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
Who is your favorite musician or favorite song?
At the moment my favorite band is Muse. I am just maybe into them and I don’t know why, and there is a song called Butterflies and Hurricanes which is really cool.
What is your go-to song that you sing in the shower?
I have said it before but I will say it again. It is Aerosmith – Love in the Elevator. I love that song.
What was the last show you binged watched?
House of Cards. And I would have watched it three times. I am just obsessed with it. I love political shows.
Who is your first celebrity crush?
Cate Blanchett. Or, as a child? Well, no actually. Cate Blanchett, period.
Is there a role you would like to play that you have not yet?
Quite a million roles. I can’t think of one in particular but yes.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
What is your favorite place to visit?
Rome
Do you have a favorite movie or movie you can watch over and over again?
Saving Private Ryan.
What is your favorite dessert?
Angel Delight!
What is that?
It is like an instant whip. Did you have that in America? It comes in a packet and you mix it with water. It is from the ’70s. It sets and like moves, like pudding, but it sets and is highly colored and artificially flavored.
Do you have a pet peeve?
Bigotry.
With new pics.
ETA: This is not a criticism (because he looks gorgeous) but, for me, these are the first pictures I have seen where Richard actually looks his age of 45. That could be because he is looking very thin in the face at the moment.
http://anthemmagazine.com/richard-armitage-blows-his-cover/
With new pics.
ETA: This is not a criticism (because he looks gorgeous) but, for me, these are the first pictures I have seen where Richard actually looks his age of 45. That could be because he is looking very thin in the face at the moment.
http://anthemmagazine.com/richard-armitage-blows-his-cover/
No dress sense AND no taste in music. 😀
Yup, he does look rather thin in those pics.
Right - rant over. 😀
Yes, he needs to fatten up a bit.
Let's send him some Angel Delight - that'll teach him! 😂
Btw - that stuff was (and for all I know, still is) sold here under the total misnomer 'Paradies Creme'. It's surprising our generation survived childhood.
Yes, it looks the same. Angel Delight is made by a company called 'Birds' though.
http://fddb.info/static/db/400/120/883VEESPEEF9TIJ6GIVYTFRC_999x999.jpg
Glad to hear they haven't given up on Urban. Also he dealt rather well with the political questions.
Aerosmith – Love in the Elevator. I love that song.
Not related to our birds I hope.
But the greatest joy in “Love, Love, Love” comes from the chance it affords its stars to conquer the aging process and to demonstrate how people change — or more to the point, remain themselves — over the years. It’s a challenge to which Mr. Armitage, in his New York debut, and Ms. Ryan rise with blissful dexterity. They have been given the expected period-defining costumes (by Susan Hilferty) and hair styles, but it’s their postures and poses that most evocatively place them in time.
Mr. Armitage is just as good, capturing the passivity of a man who both resents and enjoys being led by a streamlined bulldozer. Best known as the mighty Thorin Oakenshield in the “Hobbit” movies, this English actor was also the best John Proctor I have ever seen, in Yael Farber’s production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” at the Old Vic in London. Here he tones down his natural intensity to remind us that the seemingly soft, spineless and charming can be as damaging, in their way, as two-fisted bullies.
Richard Armitage shows impressive range in his US theatrical debut Love, Love, Love
Richard Armitagehit the big time in 2012 when he starred as dwarf prince Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s lavish film adaptation of Tolkien’s The Hobbit. But in the UK, Armitage had made waves as a heart-throb for hire (with a sizeable online fanbase), playing the object of Dawn French’s affections in The Vicar of Dibley and brooding MI5 agent Lucas North in Spooks.
In 2014, he earned an Olivier nomination for his performance as John Proctor in a critically acclaimed staging of The Crucible at London’s Old Vic, with Telegraph critic Charles Spencer stating that Armitage was “an exhilarating stage actor, with blazing eyes and a righteous fury about him”.
Here, he takes centre stage in this off-Broadway debut of writer (and fellow Brit) Mike Bartlett’s Love, Love, Love, a timely shot across the bow at the baby boomer generation who here have taken advantage of the property boom and squeezed their kids out of the market in the process.
In Love, Love, Love, which spans three time periods, Armitage plays Kenneth. We first meet him as an Oxford University student freeloading off his brother in London before running off with his girlfriend, Sandra (Amy Ryan). They marry, have children and never stop putting themselves first.
Armitage shows impressive range as he ages Kenneth upwards, channelling his hawkish charisma into more darkly funny places than his screen roles allow. He’s a louche, petulant but winningly playful 19-year-old, an exasperated working father of two and, finally, a smugly retired businessman, cracking open expensive wine while his resentful daughter struggles to pay her rent.
Give or take a couple of years, Richard Armitage goes from 20 to 40 to 60 in the course of Mike Bartlett’s new three-act comedy, “Love, Love, Love,” which opened Wednesday at Roundabout’s Off Broadway Laura Pels Theatre. It’s hard to say what’s more astounding — that Armitage (he plays Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit” trilogy) is utterly convincing at each age in each act, or that someone has written a three-act play in an era of 80-minute divertissements?
Before you panic at having to endure some Eugene O’Neill marathon, “Love, Love, Love” comes in at just over two hours and it’s very funny. While there are two intermissions, they’re needed to establish three very different British interiors, each of which set designer Derek McLane renders in careful detail.
Armitage makes his New York stage debut, and he’s spectacular. His callow-but-always-charming Kenneth meets his future wife, Sandra (Amy Ryan), shortly after the Beatles have released their 1967 single “Love, Love, Love,” and they fall in love (more likely it’s lust) dancing to the tune in the apartment of his older brother, Henry (Alex Hurt), who’s dating Sandra at the time. Needless to say, we never see Henry again until act three, and then in a very different form.
Laura, thanks for all the Richard news. Fall is probably a nice time to be in NYC, crowds are gone and the weather cools. But its sooo expensive. I bet there are some lucky ones who saw him in the play.
So he is following USA politics, he is "glued" to it. He is adorable. I agree with a lot he said there. And he mentions our media. People here are not trusting the media like they did in the 'old' days. He likes House of Cards. Wow he really likes our politics. Richard should visit Wash D.C, he would love it. And he prefers coffee....someone has been spending a lot of time in the U.S.
And I wonder if he will do another play in the near future. Hmm..
Thank you for the reviews! Good to see some people out there got taste. And nice of them to mention us as well
a sizeable online fanbase
Thank you for the reviews!
Those clips are great.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Those clips are great.
Going back to this instagram pic:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BL1PvKAAVaD/Gahh...if only this suit fit properly!! I hate how short it is! 😲 Too short!!! And tight!!!
Another presenter there who can't pronounce his name though. Although I did feel sorry for an interviewer the other day who did slightly mispronounce it and must have had it pointed out to him in no uncertain terms on Twitter because the poor man said he was horrified and tweeted his apologies.
Gahh...if only this suit fit properly!! I hate how short it is! 😲 Too short!!! And tight!!!
That happens easily enough (we tried to get to the rock of kah-SHELLE in Ireland once, only to be informed that it was known in those parts as the Rock of CASHl...which pronunciation while sounding more prosaic than our version is rather fitting given the entry fee ).
But then as an interviewer it would probably be a matter of professionsal courtesy to pronounce the name of your interviewee correctly.
The distortion by the angle and lens don't help much, and I'm not sure about the shirt either...*
*shirt in causing major discombobulation shocker* 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
LOL! I love your stories Merej!
When I was living in Chicago, I was close to the "Armitage Ave" and I would catch myself saying Armit-aghe occassionally for some reason . I don't know if I overheard people around me pronouncing it like that or if it was just me even though I knew very well of Richard Armitage long before and have always pronounced his name properly! My roommate who was born and raised in Chicago pronounced it properly as well.
I found it very admirable that the reporter took to Twitter to apologize for his flub. I'm sure the fans let him have it. But he was very humble in his apology and that was very sweet. And RA's response was even sweeter...such a good man!
I didn't mind the shirt: https://newimages.bwwstatic.com/upload11/1455387/tn-500_bwwwm0910123304937.jpg The colour palate works. If only the suit fit right.
RA has rocked the checkered shirt style many a time before and I them all:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/7c/73/f9/7c73f9e0185e7c7c33041e774a93153a.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/05/cb/38/05cb38b2336c9bdc7488681c0e1552e8.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpdS26zuosk/UsMJ5lzo__I/AAAAAAAABiU/1WswK7whqWc/s1600/40princ3+(1)600.jpg
Full view: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0b/62/66/0b626683816ca992e0a0847aa589ee8a.jpg<--- now that's a proper fitting suit 👌 Even the award agrees! : https://thearmitageeffect.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/1512564_234780216683278_1599016485_n.jpg
Still not a fan of the checkered style though I'm prepared to overlook the shirt in the third and fourth pic... now excuse me while I try and get this sudden case of weak-at-the-knees under control
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Some more clips from the play. Some audio at the end as well, so you can hear RA speaking as Kenneth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3X43_T21_E
Ooh - this sure looks like tremendous fun! And after everything I am still surprised how versatile he is.
Brilliant play, brilliant actor - and brilliant Laura for posting this!
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I found it very admirable that the reporter took to Twitter to apologize for his flub. I'm sure the fans let him have it.
RA has rocked the checkered shirt style many a time before and I them all:
Awe thanks merej. I stumbled upon it by accident on Youtube. It does look fun but I think it is very much a black comedy.
shareMissed this one from a few days ago.
http://collider.com/richard-armitage-berlin-station-interview/
Richard Armitage on His EPIX Spy Series ‘Berlin Station’, His Patriotism for America, and More
The 10-episode EPIX original series Berlin Station follows Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage), who has just arrived at the CIA station in Berlin, Germany for a clandestine mission to determine the identity of the whistleblower known as Thomas Shaw. Guided by the veteran but questionable Hector DeJean (Rhys Ifans), Daniel dives into the deep end of a conspiracy that leads all the way back to Washington. The series also stars Richard Jenkins, Michelle Forbes, Leland Orser and Tamlyn Tomita.
During this exclusive interview with Collider, actor Richard Armitage talked about how he came to this show, what he identified with in his character, the terrifying reality of this story, working with such a talented ensemble of actors, learning where things were headed, as he read each script, the research he did for this role, and where things are headed this season.
Collider: First of all, I was a big fan of Hannibal and I thought your work on the show was terrific!
RICHARD ARMITAGE: Oh, thank you!
It was just such a beautiful show, as scary as that sounds.
ARMITAGE: I agree with you. I think Bryan Fuller is a genius. I really do.
How did Berlin Station come your way?
ARMITAGE: I finished on The Hobbit and I was hunting for a really good television show. I feel like we’re in a Golden Age of television and, when television is at its best, it can be so fulfilling for an actor. So, I read pilots and all kinds of things. I read this about two and a half years ago, before EPIX had it, and I was like, “That’s what I’ve been looking for.” And then, it kind of disappeared and I thought, “I’ll never see it again.” And then, it re-emerged onto my radar and I was like, “Yes, that’s what I want.” Initially, we were looking at the role of Hector, so there was a juggling act happening, defining who Daniel was and defining who Hector was. It really is a cat-and-mouse game between them, and figuring out how that was going to function was part of the enjoyable process.
If you had been looking at the role of Hector, what ultimately led you to play Daniel?
ARMITAGE: It sort of wasn’t my choice. They didn’t say, “Which character do you want to play?” The nature of this man is that he was essentially raised with a European childhood. His father worked in military intelligence in Berlin, and having a European playing an American was useful, in that respect. I think Daniel found his patriotism when he turned to America, as a teenager, rather than it being instilled in him, as a youngster. That’s not dissimilar to my own journey. Me, as Richard, I’ve started to feel a real sense of patriotism to America. I’m British and have only really been here about five years, but I feel really passionate about what’s happening, at the moment, in the media. As a non-voter, I’m not allowed to speak about it, and it’s really frustrating. I just thought, “That’s an interesting thing that I can bring to this character.”
It’s scary how close this story comes to what’s going on, in the U.S. and Europe.
ARMITAGE: It’s really terrifying. The fact that we’re potentially undermining our security services is like a Pandora’s box. Twenty years ago, it was the security services that had the technology, and they were able to function with it. Now, everyone has access to it and is probably more capable. It means that these people have to operate in a different way. We would be prepared to pull the rug from underneath the intelligence services because, essentially, we don’t trust them. But as a person, I want to trust them because I think intelligence gathering is really important in the current climate. Clearly, it’s failing in some areas, but for all of the failures, there are a million successes that we’ll never know about. If the job is done properly, you don’t even know they’re there.
This show seems like the type of thing that would satisfy any desire you might have to play James Bond or a spy. Did it feel that way for you?
ARMITAGE: It’s a tricky genre because it’s been very, very well visited. The thing that attracted me to this particular script was the currency and the immediacy of now. It’s happening in front of us. As we sit and watch CNN today, we’re seeing cyber-hacking and national security threats, and that’s very much what our show is about. It’s about the steps that these professionals take, who are very ordinary patriots placed in the position of stemming the flow of national secrets, and at the same time, they are pulled in to question their own agency and government. It pulls you in two because, on one hand, Daniel is an American patriot, but on the other hand, he believes in freedom of speech and the truth, and sometimes those two things don’t connect. Maybe it’s just me, but I inherently want to trust my government and believe what they tell me is true because, if you don’t believe that, what do you believe and who do you trust?
How many scripts did you get, before you started shooting? Did you know where this story would ultimately end up?
ARMITAGE: No. We went to Berlin with two scripts. Actually, I think I went with one script and got Episode 2 when I landed in Berlin. That’s great, in the sense that what happens is that the storyline and character can become tailored to you, and that’s definitely what happened. One of the strengths of the show is the incredible array of fantastic actors inhabiting brilliant characters, and those characters really could evolve. There were characters that were only in one scene in Episode 1, that became majorly featured because of the quality of the actor inside of them. At the same time, it makes the plot very difficult. I’m somebody who will always favor character over plot, but in the writers’ room, they have to focus on plot over character, but I think it was a healthy dialogue between all of us.
Did you have to do a lot of research and learn any new skills, in preparation for this?
ARMITAGE: Figuring out what his skill set was, was interesting. I wanted him to be a normal person. A lot of the time, on TV, there’s a competence fetish where somebody has to be a genius at something, but I wanted Daniel to be very normal and have flaws, and not be a superhero. My line of research started with his childhood in Berlin. I researched West Berlin and the CIA, and finding a truthful account of the CIA is impossible. And then, I went into Olen Steinhauer’s fictional novels and looked at the way he saw character. Then, when I got to Berlin, I realized that everything that I needed was there. The city feeds you with so many things. Really, to me, his greatest asset is his ability to observe and interpret, and his instincts. It’s something I always question, in myself. I have very sharp instincts, and when you don’t listen to them, ultimately you start treading a path which you regret, at a later date. You can usually track back to a moment where the red flag went up and you think, “If only I’d listened then.” That’s what happens in this show. There’s a red flag that goes up in Episode 1, and then we get to Episode 10 and Daniel is like, “I knew it. I should have listened to that instinct.”
Why is Daniel the right guy for this mission?
ARMITAGE: His skill at identifying where the leak is coming from is the thing that catapults him to that position. I don’t think he wants the job, necessarily, in the beginning. But then, he finds the leak and he’s dragged into that situation. I think what makes him right for the mission is his ability to be the man who can blend into a crowd. He can sense the temperature of a situation. He can see the area that he’s moving around in, and he understands what it takes to just disappear into that picture and become a chameleon.
There are a lot of people vying for power in this world, and they’re all in something of a competition with each other, aside from dealing with this mission. Will that become more and more difficult to navigate?
ARMITAGE: Yeah. Ultimately, we spy on our enemies, but we also spy on our friends. It’s that thing of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. But, I don’t really use the word enemy. I use the word opponent because I feel like there’s a sparring match going on. We’re not in a Cold War situation, despite what the media would have us thing. But in order for the intelligence services to really function, they do have to create those internal dramas, in order to justify their existence. Sometimes when there’s nothing happening, they’ll be stimulating something to happen. Of course, they have to move beyond technology, so they’re engaging themselves, face to face, with their opponent, and then the human flaws kick into action. A computer is not going to fall in love with another computer, but a spy will use that currency to get himself into deep water. Daniel can switch off his emotions, but he allows himself to let them live because it becomes a more potent currency when you can do that. The one weak point that he has, especially early on, is his family that’s based in Berlin. It’s a real Achilles heel for him because he wants to build back that relationship with his cousin, but at the same time, he’s putting her in the firing line. We’ll play that out throughout the series. He’s unable to switch that side of him off.
What can you say about the evolving dynamic between Daniel and Hector (Rhys Ifans)?
ARMITAGE: I would say they’re bound by an event that happened. You’ll see a flashback in Episode 4 to an event in their past, which I see as a metaphorical explosion that fuses them together. It becomes like a love affair between them. Daniel really needs the life blood of Hector, in order to survive. The predator becomes the prey, is really the only thing that I can tell you.
Berlin Station airs on Sunday nights on EPIX.
RA has been live tweeting during the first two episodes of Berlin Station on Sunday. This one about the cat which features in Episode 2 made me smile.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/790358535632748544
Maybe the cat had heard that he had said he wasn't a cat person.
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/790358535632748544
Maybe the cat had heard that he had said he wasn't a cat person.
I loved this, Laura!
Oh good - he is foldable! That should save space.
As for the cat - this sounds like the kind of professional rivalry both sides may profit from. Also I would like to hear the cat's side of the story! 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
As for the cat - this sounds like the kind of professional rivalry both sides may profit from. Also I would like to hear the cat's side of the story! 😀
I bet the cat also stays in character all the time. That's bound to drive him nuts! 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I bet the cat also stays in character all the time. That's bound to drive him nuts! 😀
Great article and very well earned praise I am sure. I don't have audible but I own the Georgette Heyer audio books on dvd - absolutely love Sylvester.😁
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I don't have any audiobooks. I prefer to read. I suppose if I had a long journey to work they would be good.
shareRichard is one of the 4 actors mentioned in this article who they think could play the young Dumbledore.
http://www.ibtimes.com/fantastic-beasts-2-director-confirms-dumbledores-appearance-4-actors-who-could-play-2443535
Richard Armitage: The actor is known for his role as the dwarf Thorin in the “Hobbit” films, but he seems like he could just as easily play one of the greatest wizards in history. With over 20 years of experience and training from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), Armitage could definitely pull off the many intricacies of Albus Dumbledore.share
Richard is one of the 4 actors mentioned in this article who they think could play the young Dumbledore.This is a really nice list from IB Times, Laura. I love these choices.
http://www.ibtimes.com/fantastic-beasts-2-director-confirms-dumbledores-appearance-4-actors-who-could-play-2443535
But if they are looking for someone less famous, I'd suggest Sam Riley; there is something similar in their eyes: https://goo.gl/images/kNxWWz (MG: https://goo.gl/images/VfWj71)
don't have any audiobooks. I prefer to read. I suppose if I had a long journey to work they would be good.
They've never seen him morph into all soft and cuddly have they?
Definitely
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Goody! 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Goody! 😀
The first is an 'outtake' from The Crucible posters. Stunning.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM9JwvjjsXf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM7o8d8hxz2/?hl=en
Not bad for a beanpole! 😀
I really liked his more bulky physique as Proctor. I painted myself a little copy of that Crucible poster:
http://www.filmandtvnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/RA-in-conversation-e1409311038691.jpg
Just for the eyelashes
Wish that second pic was bigger - it looks really nice!
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I really liked his more bulky physique as Proctor.
I painted myself a little copy of that Crucible poster:
Just for the eyelashes
http://de.tinypic.com/r/24oxf8g/9
http://de.tinypic.com/r/33mlvkj/9
When I said little...It's actually larger than life.😀
There's a bit of a reflection there - not easy taking a decent pic with artificial light. I blame the sun and it's perpetual non-appearance. 😒
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
http://de.tinypic.com/r/24oxf8g/9
http://de.tinypic.com/r/33mlvkj/9
Wonderful sketches Merej! I love the detailing with the grey hairs. Wow! Well done!!
We used to have a regular poster on here who did a really good pencil drawing of a bearded RA. She also did one of the train station kiss. It's a shame they have dropped off now.Ms Laura, you are in luck! As I recall, Ms Alfa had Coira's sketches saved on her photobucket account...so here they are:
Ms Laura, you are in luck! As I recall, Ms Alfa had Coira's sketches saved on her photobucket account...so here they are:
Thank you! It was fun painting that one - and the good thing about the highlights is that they are very easy to correct if one messes up (as one is likely to do - well, this one is, anyway).😀
Love the Station Kiss!
It's incredible how many really talented people are out there. There used to be 'Little Kili and Fili + Uncle Thorin' cartoons on deviantart.com which were not only funny and cute but exceedingly well made. And those people weren't just copying a picture, but actually inventing it and putting it to paper.
Of course now that I have looked for them, those cartoons are gone.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Of course now that I have looked for them, those cartoons are gone.
Nice tats! 😁
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Speaking of tats, have you seen this: http://ladyoakenshield157.deviantart.com/art/Shirtless-Thorin-Oakenshield-523660041
There used to be 'Little Kili and Fili + Uncle Thorin' cartoons on deviantart.com which were not only funny and cute but exceedingly well made. And those people weren't just copying a picture, but actually inventing it and putting it to paper.Yeah..I've come across a few good ones like this one: http://llano.deviantart.com/art/The-Folk-352587718
Speaking of tats, have you seen this: http://ladyoakenshield157.deviantart.com/art/Shirtless-Thorin-Oakenshield-523660041
Yeah..I've come across a few good ones like this one: http://llano.deviantart.com/art/The-Folk-352587718
and this: http://llano.deviantart.com/art/uncle-Thorin-348388215
Speaking of tats, have you seen this: http://ladyoakenshield157.deviantart.com/art/Shirtless-Thorin-Oakenshield-523660041
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Interview-From-Middle-Earth-to-Midtown-Manhattan--Richard-Armitage-Takes-On-Off-Broadway-in-LOVE-LOVE-LOVE-20161125#
In case you are wondering he didn't say that the New York audiences laugh in a more of an 'abusive' way. lol!
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/802283763808006144
While we are on the subject of Kenneth, the lady who does the plushies has done one of him.
https://twitter.com/_naughTAY2968/status/797904299044970496
I will read this thread a bit later but I just wanted to have a quick look at merej's drawing, which was mentioned on the Homeless thread...fantastic job, merej!! Bravo for you. Wow!
Some serious talent on our board, ladies.
In case you are wondering he didn't say that the New York audiences laugh in a more of an 'abusive' way. lol!
While we are on the subject of Kenneth, the lady who does the plushies has done one of him.
I will read this thread a bit later but I just wanted to have a quick look at merej's drawing, which was mentioned on the Homeless thread...fantastic job, merej!! Bravo for you. Wow
Don't tell anybody but given that the painting is in profile and mostly black and white it's really not that hard to do. 😋
1 % talent, 99 % trial and error
when future art historians start to analyze my by then priceless masterpieces by means of x-ray and radiospectroscopy, they are bound to find below the surfaces of my immaculately serene portraits countless layers of clumsy attempts at cross-eyed hammer-nosed chinless cabbage-eared snaggletoothers
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
when future art historians start to analyze my by then priceless masterpieces by means of x-ray and radiospectroscopy, they are bound to find below the surfaces of my immaculately serene portraits countless layers of clumsy attempts at cross-eyed hammer-nosed chinless cabbage-eared snaggletoothers How do you come up with this stuff Merej??!!!
Awwww....
Growing up may not be the best way to go about being me tbh.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
when future art historians start to analyze my by then priceless masterpieces by means of x-ray and radiospectroscopy, they are bound to find below the surfaces of my immaculately serene portraits countless layers of clumsy attempts at cross-eyed hammer-nosed chinless cabbage-eared snaggletoothers
Awww...a little cravat! 😀
Glad to see Francis is there as well.
Is that Monet with the chin beard?
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Nice - love The Impressionists.
Who's that on the right above Thornton?
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Who's that on the right above Thornton?
Yup, that looks like Kennedy. 😀
Good news about the distribution list - keeping my fingers crossed we will get it here eventually.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Yup, that looks like Kennedy. 😀
Well the hat helps a lot. 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
She actually did a good job making the rest of them recognizable given her limited optionss of altering the basic design.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Not really sure I like the style. Nice interview though.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Not really sure I like the style.
Great interview - thanks for that.
We may use it now, we may use it in Season 6. Who knows?’ If we get to Season 6,” he adds with a laugh.
Great interview - thanks for that.
You're welcome. Nice to see that RA is still writing those back stories for his characters.
buttery, melodious tone
Don't know whether that makes me want to listen or eat. Probably both. 😁
Yay, that's good news!
Unscrupulous, eh? I am sure mitigating circumstances can be found (or made up), if necessary.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Unscrupulous, eh?
Sweet!😀
Also I like his Looks a lot better there than in that photoshoot
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Also I like his Looks a lot better there than in that photoshoot
Wow! That was up quick eh. Poor RA freezing out in the cold. Didn't get to see what he has under the (Canada Goose ) jacket ... looked like a stripy sweater/jumper that we have seen before..hmm.
Thanks Laura.
Didn't get to see what he has under the (Canada Goose ) jacket
Yes, that is definitely a Canada Goose jacket, you can clearly see the logo on it. In Canada they are very popular. They are incredibly warm (goose down) and when you get on a Toronto subway in the winter it's surprising hows many people are wearing them. Great coats. (No I don't have one. )
Aww, Richard. We've said this a million times but does this man ever age?
Awww - he's playing an elf!
Pointy ears and all. 😀
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
[deleted]
This is quite long and there are some Berlin Station spoilers. There is a question about N&S at about 14.30 minutes. I've heard him tell the water melon audition story before. It is towards the end at about 22 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLO_ZOcci0g
ETA: Grr I can't get the video to start at the beginning again. You will have to slide the thingy back.
Munich eh? He better get himself Lederhosen - to look truely like an American in Bavaria
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Is that what the jacket's called. It looks nice and warm. What Alfa said, Laura (I don't have one either!). I saw the logo right away. They are very popular with filming crews as well . I wondered if he got that from the "Today" show or from a "Today" crew member or if it was indeed his own. It might be his own and he might have bought it when he was here filming for the "Hannibal". He's tends to go one classy piece when it comes to fashion/accessories and choses items that last a good long time.
------------
Yes, that is definitely a Canada Goose jacket, you can clearly see the logo on it. In Canada they are very popular. They are incredibly warm (goose down) and when you get on a Toronto subway in the winter it's surprising hows many people are wearing them. Great coats. (No I don't have one. )
ETA: Grr I can't get the video to start at the beginning again. You will have to slide the thingy back.It starts from the beginning for me Laura. I love his interviews; wish he does more of these. share
It might be his own and he might have bought it when he was here filming for the "Hannibal".
... really tuck into this year:
4. The Vicar Of Dibley (2006)
We’ve been treated to Vicar Of Dibley Christmas specials — of which there are a whopping eight — between 1996 to 2007.
And the last two in 2006 and on New Years’ Day 2007 were by far the best, as they starred the gorgeous Richard Armitage, who fell head-over-heels for Dawn French’s character Geraldine Granger.
If there was a TV equivalent of a sweet and decadent slice of chocolate log, this would be it.
Lovely! 😀
I also really like those Dr. Who episodes with John Simm (who could be Martin Freeman's little brother).
Other Chirstmas specials I love to watch are the ones from seasons 7 and 8 of M.A.S.H. Season 7 got a lovely rendition of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fhJ6XrZ4jg
though not sung quite that perfectly.
There's a bit of weirdness in that Video from 1:30 with the multitracking, but that woman's voice is just fantastic.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I also really like those Dr. Who episodes with John Simm (who could be Martin Freeman's little brother).
Other Chirstmas specials I love to watch are the ones from seasons 7 and 8 of M.A.S.H. Season 7 got a lovely rendition of this
There's a bit of weirdness in that Video from 1:30 with the multitracking, but that woman's voice is just fantastic.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-ca-st-top-10-television-lloyd-20161218-story.html
"Berlin Station" (Epix)
Sleek but not slick contemporary, continental, no-nonsense spy thriller features Richard Armitage, Michelle Forbes and Rhys Ifans as American agents looking to plug a leak in chilly, new-Cold War Germany. From earlier this year, when the CIA still counted.
http://www.tvtango.com/news/detail/id/655/
ETA:
Another cute pic tweeted by Michell Forbes.
https://twitter.com/MishkaForbes/status/809557285286461440
RA has ended his run in 'Love, Love, Love'
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/810605928261226504
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/810606809216061440
It was also the season finale of 'Berlin Station' last night.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOKkARjjccY/
https://twitter.com/RCArmitage/status/810648055494176769
Here is RA's Christmas message. He tweeted this Facebook link.
https://www.facebook.com/RichardCArmitage/posts/298316477236425
Finally got around to read the Christmas message. Thanks for posting it! Couldn't agree more with what he said.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
There was some debate on the RA board about his use of the "NB" at the bottom on his message and what then followed it. A few Americans and people on this side of the pond (count me in that lot) at first didn't know what NB stood for i.e they figured it was something like a P.S but then also wondered if it was added as a addendum to the original post or if it was present with the original message, Merej.
And then of course, there were a few Americans who were angry with his mentioning of Castro in the first place including one of his most ardent of fans, Servetus.
So it seems his Christmas message didn't go down so well for some fans.
I saw Castro's name in his list and my first thought was 'that's not going to go down well with some people'. 😀 But then those some people will never be happy no matter what you say.
You know I thought about this only yesterday in a completely different context - how little of what we communicate depends on words, and how much of what the 'receiver' understands depends on such things as tone of voice, facial expression, context, knowledge of the 'sender's' opinions and attitude, the 'receiver's' own experiences, opinions, and current mood, and whether they are prepared to give some benefit of the doubt to the 'sender's' intentions. Overall, trying to communicate something by written words alone to an unknown number of unknown people is not just complicated and daring - it's positively foolhardy! And here we are with a president elect who prefers to communicate by twitter...I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Humans - can't communicate with them, can't put all 7.5 billion on 'ignore'.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
You're absolutely right Merej! Some people will never be happy no matter what.
You know I thought about this only yesterday in a completely different context - how little of what we communicate depends on words, and how much of what the 'receiver' understands depends on such things as tone of voice, facial expression, context, knowledge of the 'sender's' opinions and attitude, the 'receiver's' own experiences, opinions, and current mood, and whether they are prepared to give some benefit of the doubt to the 'sender's' intentions. Overall, trying to communicate something by written words alone to an unknown number of unknown people is not just complicated and daring - it's positively foolhardy!Exactly!! Which is how I feel sometimes when I'm out there on other boards here arguing my way to a point which no doubt gets twisted and turned into what the poster chooses to understand and respond to in the end. Very futile process indeed. I have wondered why I bother in the first place! Certainly not worth it most times.
I have wondered why I bother in the first place! Certainly not worth it most times.
You're absolutely right Merej! Some people will never be happy no matter what.
Love, Love, Love was named among Forbes "Best Theater of 2016"
http://www.forbes.com/sites/leeseymour/2016/12/22/the-best-theater-of-2016-broadway-and-beyond/#62a8807a47d5
Love, Love, Love
What could be better than Mike Bartlett's Cock? His Love, of course. The cracking playwright delivers another sharp, smart, silly chunk of theater with this ode to the 60's and all their fallout. Anyone who’s ever been labeled a Baby Boomer, or the child thereof, will find much to laugh (and possibly cry) about. Old ideas stay fresh as we see patterns play out amongst a family full of great intentions and awful consequences. Richard Armitage and Zoe Kazan in particular delivered fantastic performances as an idealistic dad gone to pot and his mostly-ignored daughter.
8. BERLIN STATION
Berlin Station came out of nowhere, and it quickly rose to be among the best series of 2016. This was one of the first original series on Epix, and it’s been criminally ignored. Discovering this show was one of the greatest joys of the year, as it dived into the world of modern espionage with a little bit more realism than we’ve gotten on Homeland or 24. That’s not to say that it’s completely realistic with its occasional action, but it felt more grounded.
The series was particularly successful at using Richard Jenkins, Michelle Forbes, Leland Orser, and Tamlyn Tomita’s supporting characters and giving each of them an arc to play out over the season. But the real attraction was the cat-and-mouse game between Richard Armitage’s Daniel Miller and his frenemy, Hector DeJean (Rhys Ifans). That particular element may be missing from the upcoming season 2, but we’re looking forward to seeing where Berlin Station goes next.
So true. And I think that RA must have learned that. I'm still not sure if he added the NB after receiving criticism (someone on the RA seemed to think he had) but I see that he put 'sigh' right at the end.
Nice to see that both LLL and BS get so much appreciation.
https://twitter.com/soneekk1/status/814803369416134658
Translation by richardarmitagenet.com
http://richardarmitagenet.com/images/articlescans/PnayPlus-15Dec16.pdf
I noticed that he is talking about hoping to move back to England next year.
A sound attitude re conventions imho. :thumbup:
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
I haven't seen the short yet, Laura (will do now); but from the general vibe I'm getting, I think this might be good. And it is a genre I enjoy.
Even if David Goyer (part of the WB family like RA) is involved in it somehow (who I'm not really a fan of despite his extensive sci-fi repertoire including the "Dark Knight" films, "Man of Steel" and "Batman v Superman" most recently), I think it might be a nice addition to RA's filmography. Certainly better than "Sleepwalker"...what happened to that movie? Now we just need a cast listing and a decent one at that.
Perhaps this will be a WB distribution as well but hard to say at this point.
ETA: Open Road Films distribution is handled through Sony apparently according to this Deadline article:
Open Road will release the picture in North America and in certain international territories together with its output partners that include Sony (Eastern Europe, Canada, Greece, India, Latin America, Scandinavia, Spain, Middle East and Turkey), Telepool (Germany), Village Roadshow (Australia), eOne (UK and Benelux), Impuls (Switzerland), Ster Kinekor (South Africa) and Lev Films (Israel). FilmNation handles Open Road’s international distribution territories.http://deadline.com/2016/04/lakeshore-entertainment-open-road-partner-on-miles-david-goyer-oliver-daly-1201746049/
Marie • on Apr 28, 2016 11:14 am "Mother's Day" was a biggggg flop! Terrible movie despite the director.
First, Open Road needs to learn how to market. Basically everything it releases flops, especially in recent times. Mother’s Day is next.
I haven't seen the short yet, Laura (will do now); but from the general vibe I'm getting, I think this might be good. And it is a genre I enjoy.
(who I'm not really a fan of despite his extensive sci-fi repertoire including the "Dark Knight" films, "Man of Steel" and "Batman v Superman" most recently), I think it might be a nice addition to RA's filmography
Strange. He has deleted his tweet about joining the movie but it is still on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO5JTrpgl3C/
That IS strange. I wonder what's going on. It can't be that he's no longer involved in the project, since it is still up on IG?
Thanks for the update Laura. Guess we'll wait and see.
That IS strange. I wonder what's going on.
Not my favourite genre but it might be interesting.
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Not my favourite genre but it might be interesting.
So what now?
I think he should really look into the Munich as a possible location for Berlin Station shots option - including exploratory field visits
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
So what now?