“I was lucky enough to get a U.S. work visa for [Into the Storm] so I feel I should try and make the best use of it. There is a huge body of great writing out there in American TV and I’m hunting for a part. They ask you to commit to six years on a U.S. show, though, I would really have to be fascinated by the subject matter and really want to play a part all that time . . .”~
excerpt from a short article by Paul Wilson featured in a nifty photo spread (“Formal Education”) on Richard Armitage in the December 2013 edition of Esquire UK on newsstands now. (I enlarged a scan Kaprekar had made of the article so I could read the story.)
Not a lot that’s new to most of us–the tired old circus chestnut pops up–and RA amusingly notes his habit of buying work wardrobe and then wondering why people recognize him (“Of course you’ll be recognized, you bloody idiot, you’re wearing the costume!”)
So what do we think? Will our RA find (or has he possibly already found) that fascinating character he’d be willing to commit to for that period of time in an American show? If it’s a role in a cable/satellite production, there likely wouldn’t be more than 13 eps if that many in a season. He’d still have time to do a film or appear on stage . . . oh, Mr. A, throw us a bone, won’t you?
the armitage effect 
Oh – I thought you enlarged it so everyone could read it.
I enlarged it so I could read it and share the highlights, but it’s such a grainy image it wouldn’t have posted well. As I said at your blog, I am sure the major fansites will have it up soon enough.
They do already
I knew it. 😀
Oh, God, wouldn’t that be wonderful?–I can’t even imagine the joy of our man on American TV (although it certainly needs all the help it can get!) At the moment, the British actors seem to be doing much better on American shows than the homegrown guys, so I'[d say the market should be ripe for Richard.
NOT the circus again!!! Please!!! If he’s role-hunting in the US then does that mean no Poldark for our man? 😦
Man, I don’t know. Maybe he’s already got Poldark secured but knows it’s only six eps or whatever, and is looking beyond that. Or maybe he just felt like going for the lean and longish-haired look. About all we have right now is lots of speculation . . .
My husband sometimes jokes and says, “What, are they running out of American actors for these shows?/” I pointed out to him two of the regular characters on TWD are British and Australian. Damien Lewis on Homeland is British. Several of the main characters in True Blood are British/Australian. The guy who turned down the Christian Grey role to stick with Sons of Anarchy is British. Those are just a few of the examples out there.
* WOOF*! 😀
What is it with these interviewers and the circus thing?
I am so $%%#@ tired of the freakin’ circus thing coming up. At least they mentioned something slightly different–he did a lot of back flips. LOL
Yikes–I’m just glad he didn’t hurt himself. Of course, he was a bit younger then.
I can’t speak for the British industry but Australia only produces one decent show a year ( if we are lucky) so our talent has no choice but to go overseas for work.
Considering the state of US television these days, I just hope he can find a show or project worthy of his dedication and talent if that’s what he’s looking to do.
There is good American TV, but most of it is not on the regular networks–it’s on the premium channels and even basic cable (Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Sons of of Anarchy just a few popular and critically acclaimed cable productions. ) Homeland is one of my favorites, and it stars Damian Lewis, another fine Brit actor.Truthfully, there are some great scriptwriters. As vaunted as the BBC has always been, and as faithful a viewer as I have been over the years, I am sorry, but the writers on Spooks really fell down on their job. And RH certainly had its WTH moments. Sometimes Brit actors and American writers are just a perfect match.
I truly hope so–guess I should have been more specific about network shows versus cable shows, because there really is some good stuff on some of the cable channels. TNT is doing great work these days, as has USA. I have noticed that some of the regular network channels are incorporating more Brit actors in their recent offerings–but I think a cable series would be more worthy of our man and his amazing talent. He deserves only the best.
I know you guys hate to lose your talented performers, but it does seem as if their options at home are somewhat limited. Ryan Kwanten (sP) still amazes me with how GOOD his southern accent is on True Blood.
On the plus side, I think the Australian networks are more likely to buy something from the US if they can advertise it as starring “Australia’s……(insert name of home grown talent)”. Really and truly, Australian television has always been appalling and like everywhere else we seem to have a dearth of cheap to make stuff like reality, cooking competitions and Bachelor meets loads of bimbo’s, shags them all in the spa and eliminates one a week until only the dimmest one is left type shows. I really don’t blame any actor who goes elsewhere because I can’t see the situation getting any better.
My impression is that although the UK and in particular the BBC are still making good stuff, there just isn’t enough to go around. I don’t know how much truth is in it but I heard RA was considered for Luther. To be honest, I can’t imagine anyone better cast than Idris Elba in that role- the talent pool in Britain is large and the number of good scripts small.
Idris is great as Luther; just as I can’t really imagine anyone else as Thorin now, I’d be hard-pressed to consider another actor I’d prefer for Luther. He owns that role.
We have a lot of horrible reality shows, too, here, I am sorry to say, for the same reason–they are cheap to make and good Lord, but there’s always someone hankering to appear and get their 15 minutes of fame. *sigh* Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo and here I go to change the channel!!
Yes it’s a problem, in a way, in England–the supply of talented actors is quite generous (so many of my fave actors are from the UK) in proportion to the really good scripts out there to serve them.
I hope that if he does end up on a show in the US, they write a British character so they don’t mess with that voice…
Interfering with the voice would be a total crime. Besides I LOVE his accent.
Yeah, I am hoping it’s a role that would allow him to use his Brit accent . . . if such a role is indeed out there.
Well since someone has now written a movie for Vince Vaughn where he’s fathered 500+ children in his career as a delivery man, I’m thinking some slightly more creative scribe should be able to come up with a concept worthy of our guy.
LOL! Absolutely . . .
LOL is right–I thought it was a joke when I first saw the advertisement, but it apparently opens everywhere on Friday. Vince Vaughn is one of those guys on my list that I never see their films.
Never been a big fan of his, I have to admit.