Exclusive: Mentoring young Love: A Conversation with Jim Broadbent for the DVD release of BBC Mini-Series London Spy
LONDON SPY begins with a chance romance between two people from two very different walks of life; one from the high-powered ranks of investment banking and the other from a world of clubbing and youthful excess. Their love story quickly unravels, however, when the reclusive banker disappears under suspicious circumstances, exposing his real identity as a spy and forcing his lover down a dark path in order to reveal the truth.
The stirring five-part mystery, from acclaimed best-selling author Tom Rob Smith (Child 44, Doctors), stars BAFTA© winner Ben Whishaw (Spectre, The Danish Girl) in a career-defining performance as Danny, the innocent, young romantic drawn into a dangerous world of espionage. He is joined by Academy Award© winner Jim Broadbent (Iris, Cloud Atlas) who is Danny’s friend and mentor; Scottie, Emmy© nominee and Academy Award© nominee Charlotte Rampling (Broadchurch, 45 Years) is Alex’s mother; Frances, and newcomer Edward Holcroft (Wolf Hall, Kingsman: The Secret Service) is Danny’s lover, Alex.
To coincide with the release on May 2, The Fan Carpet have an exclusive interview with National Treasure Jim Broadbent who plays Scottie in the BBC Mini-Series...
What does the story of London Spy focus on?
The central character is Danny who falls in love with a young man and this is clearly the love of his life. And quite early on this young man dies under mysterious circumstances and the arc of the five-part series is the implications and ramifications of that on Danny’s life.
What makes Danny’s story unique?
What’s exciting is the whole story is such a strong story and it’s an unusual story and the fact that the central characters are gay is sort of peripheral to the arc of the thriller. There’s a great sort of ethical idea and dilemma at the heart of the story which makes it gripping and totally original.
Can you tell us more about the character you play?
I play Scottie who’s an old friend of Danny’s and Scottie has had some experience in the secret services and he is able to help Danny in his quest to sort out the after effects of this murder.
What role does Scottie play in Danny’s life?
Initially he’s advising or concerned about Danny falling head over heels in love with this guy and he wants to check him out and see that he’s not going to be a bad egg in terms of Danny’s life and so a meeting is arranged and Alex passes Scottie’s test as it were.
LONDON SPY COMES TO DVD FROM MAY 2 COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES (UK)
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