Courtesy of Series Mania
Peter Mullan, star of “After the Party,” doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing his thoughts on his fellow actors. In a recent masterclass at Series Mania, Mullan didn’t shy away from expressing his true feelings about working with Kevin Spacey, the “LOTR” mob, and even his experience on the set of “Harry Potter.”
Kevin Spacey: An Asshole and a Mannered Actor
Mullan didn’t mince words when it came to his opinion of Kevin Spacey. According to him, Spacey would constantly watch himself on the monitor, checking if his performance worked. Mullan found him to be a “horrible human being,” but fascinating to watch due to his mannered acting style. Working with him, Mullan drew comparisons to acting alongside the legendary Bette Davis.
The “LOTR” Mob Takes Themselves Too Seriously
Mullan also shared an amusing anecdote from when he showed an episode of a show to Emmy voters in LA. The voters had a serious discussion about “LOTR,” and Mullan jokingly suggested that his character’s fake nose should get a nomination. Surprisingly, some people actually believed it was possible. Mullan found it amusing that such a trivial matter could be taken so seriously by the “LOTR” mob.
“Harry Potter” and Glasgow Thugs
During his time on the set of “Harry Potter,” Mullan played the Death Eater Corban Yaxley. He described his experience with humor, recalling how he expected to be shown how to use a wand in a “Harry Potter” way, but instead held it like a knife. As a result, he felt he looked more like a Glasgow thug than a wizard. Mullan’s indifference towards the franchise stemmed from the fact that his kids were the ones who cared about it.
Ken Loach: The Empowering Director
While Mullan had negative things to say about some actors, he had only good things to say about the director Ken Loach. Mullan worked with Loach on “My Name is Joe” and appreciated Loach’s philosophy of allowing the actor to start acting as soon as they arrive on set. Loach’s unobtrusive directing style made the actors feel empowered, and Mullan noted that Loach is happy with a scene when he hears it.
Acting, Directing, and Responsibility
Mullan also opened up about his own directing career, explaining that directing is a level of responsibility that an actor doesn’t have. He talked about the commitment and trauma that comes with directing, mentioning how many directors remember every single shot they take. Mullan shared an amusing story about an Oscar-winning actress who saw her crying scene as a business and expected to be rewarded for it.
A Masterclass Not Forgotten
Mullan’s masterclass at Series Mania won’t be easily forgotten. He shared multiple photos taken during the event, joking that he does it for his children who don’t realize he is a big shot in Europe.
This article is based on the original source.