(L) Top by BOTTEGA VENETA. (R) Coat & jumper by VALENTINO.
You appeared in the Tom Hardy Kray brothers film Legend. Growing up, what situations did you wish you had an identical twin for?
School cross-country running. I’d have him hide out half way round the course and then at the right moment we’d switch. I’d only ever have to do half and the fresh legs would mean we’d almost certainly win.
One of your early roles was in the series Black Mirror, the dystopian vision of technology’s intersection — and perversion of culture/ society. Without naming one that is specifically weaponized, what piece of technology or innovation do you think is the most perilous or unnerving?
I think the complex interwoven web of the Internet – from Google searches to social media to online shopping is perilous. The fact that people can be subliminally guided into making purchases and maybe life choices based on clever and subtle encouragement through strategic advertising is dangerous. It’s a power someone could easily abuse in the future. Every advancement in technology makes The Matrix seem less and less like sci-fi.
If you could pick one country to experience from the driver’s seat of a car, which country and car would you pick?
As a huge Top Gear fan, I’d love to emulate their South American adventure through Chile and Argentina ending up somewhere in Patagonia. Without the endless support team they had I’d have to pick something epically capable off-road with plenty of performance for the actual roads – so it’d have to be a top of the range Range Rover. But equally the Italian countryside in a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California would do just fine!
If you had to try to tell your age to someone without mentioning any dates, what pop culture/historical references would you say/use?
The year of Live Aid and The Goonies.
Top & blazer by TOPMAN.
What are your last three Google searches?
Interviews
How best to do interviews
How to not come across badly in interviews
If you could only select one book, one movie, one TV show to have the capability to re-watch/ re-read from now on, what would your three be? You could keep watching new stuff, but wouldn’t be able to ever watch it again unless it was on your shortlist.
Book: Lord of the Rings – it’s so long by the time you’ve finished you’ve forgotten the beginning anyway.
Movie: The Other Guys – somehow no matter how many times I see it, it makes me laugh. Wahlberg and Ferrell are perfect together.
TV show: Friends – it’s always funny. (And there’s about a million episodes.)
If you had to select any public figure to act as a bodyguard for, who would you pick? Keep in mind, the more famous they are – the harder your job could be.
Tom Hanks. Everyone loves him so there’d be no threat. We could just hang out and become mates and maybe work together?!
What was your first (presumably defunct) email address?
Haircut100@aol.com. No idea why. I had pretty normal hair.
Was there ever a film as a child that inspired one of your lifestyle choices or pursuits? If so which one?
Jamie Foxx in Any Given Sunday made me want to have a six pack like his. Still working on it – maybe I should accept defeat after 17 years of training….
What was the best day you’ve had recently and what was so memorable about it?
I met my nephew. First of a new generation in the family. His name’s Bodie and I’m convinced he’s going to be an absolute legend.
In your opinion, what film that came out over the past 5-10 years do you think will be considered ahead of its time 20 years from now?
The Revenant. It’s an epic timeless tale. The combination of virtually documentary style shooting, use of only natural light and minimal use of CGI is ahead of its time. The director and DOP were dedicated to the adventure of their art, scaling snow covered mountains etc and the mystery surrounding their techniques give them almost magician status. It’ll push directors of the future to put themselves out there (literally) and rely less on green screen.
What game show do you think you would be most successful as a contestant?
University Challenge, Mastermind, you know, just the easy ones….
Name a film that is very popular or a classic that you didn’t ‘get’. Not in terms of understanding, but in terms of the public or critical glowing response to it.
This is hard because as a cinephile I tend to love all movies. Honestly I will find a scene or a moment somewhere in the midst of even a Steven Segal film and find something to love about it. More often than not I don’t get it when people don’t like a film more! But I suppose if pushed to answer I think Birdman was a little overhyped (“blasphemy” I hear you cry…). It was cleverly shot and Keaton was great but it felt a little bit like a collection of actor in-jokes. But that’s just me. It was good though (backtracking now… see I can’t put a film down!)
Nick Hendrix can be seen soon in Midsomer Murders on ITV (UK).
As told to Paul Vaughan for TPJ
Creative Director & Photographer: Jessie Craig
Stylist: Christopher Preston
Grooming: Gigi Hammond
