“He was a terrible bully”: Years Before Harry Potter Changed His Life, Young Gary Oldman Had to Deal With a “very cruel” Director During His Theatre Acting Days
- Gary Oldman recalls working with a bully when doing theatre.
- Oldman talks about his character from Slow Horses.
- Slow Horses Season 4 premieres on September 4, 2024.
English actor Gary Oldman is known for his versatile and intense acting and is recognized as one of the highest-grossing actors of all time. The actor who appeared in the Harry Potter franchise as Sirius Black, Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, and more, started his career as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1985 to 1986.
Oldman is now gearing up for the release of Apple TV+’s crime series Slow Horses season 4. Mick Herron’s novel series Slough House bases the series, which follows Jackson Lamb and his team of agents who have been exiled from the Regent’s Park HQ for various offenses. The agents are relegated to perform menial desk duties but find themselves being involved in investigating schemes endangering Britain. Ahead of the release of the new season, Gary Oldman discusses the most challenging director he has ever worked with.
Harry Potter actor Gary Oldman recalls working with a ‘cruel’ director
Ahead of the release of Apple TV+’s highly anticipated crime series Slow Horses, starring Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, and more, Oldman portrays the character of Jackson Lamb, head of the Slough House, who is described as ‘rude, devious, and with mordant wit’.
The veteran actor appeared on Jake’s Takes, where he was asked about coming across a director he had to work with who gave him a tough note about his work. To which he said,
Back in the day, when I was doing theater, I worked with a very cruel man. I won’t name him, but he was a terrible bully and probably couldn’t do it. He probably would be able to get away with it now, but that was a long time ago in the early 80s.
Gary Oldman further stated in the interview that filmmaker Oliver Stone can be one of the directors who is tough. He goes on to clarify that the filmmaker aims to do the good work and is not just doing the work for the sake of doing it. Oldman appeared in Stone’s 1991’s JFK.
Talking about his character on the show Slow Horses, the English actor stated that he might give the impression that he does not care, but he probably cares more than most. He also added that Lamb is incredibly loyal to the team in his own very strange way, even though he gives them a tough time.
Gary Oldman describes playing Jackson Lamb as ‘liberating’
In a cover story for The Wrap, Gary Oldman shared that his character on Slow Horses has no filter, does not care about being judged, and has nothing to lose. He further noted that there is something very freeing and liberating about playing such characters that do not really give a f**k.
During the interview, the actor explained that playing the head of the Slough House allows him wear the same clothes almost every episode; he never has to worry about the makeup or getting in shape for a new season. He added,
I am so thankful to be able to come in and throw on these old clothes that never change. I’ve got the same shoes I’ve been wearing since Episode 1. It’s quite fun to almost be in your own clothes, you know? The whole thing with the greasy hair and not bathing very often and having holes in his socks—it’s all designed to make people underestimate him.
The actor went on to reveal that for his research, he does read Mick Herron’s Slough House books before filming and reaches out to the showrunner Will Smith to ask if he can incorporate his favorite lines into the scripts. The new trailer for season four just dropped, which showcases the team doing what they do best—helping in solving a case.
Season 4 is going to follow a possible terrorist attack on a shopping mall. The team also goes through their issues, family issues, and street riots, which will be covered in the upcoming season.
Slow Horses premieres on September 4, 2024, on Apple TV+.
