When last we checked in with Damian Lewis, he was performing the very eccentric, very British duties of a 12th century-era guild Freeman by shepherding sheep across London’s Southwark Bridge. The whole march was utterly delightful, marred only by Damian sporting an unfortunate mustache. But it wasn’t his fault! The ‘stache was for a role in the 1930s period film Fackham Hall. As the ridiculous title suggests, Fackham Hall is a sendup of the Gosford Park style British murder mysteries set in stately manor homes. The film’s official log line begins “A spoof that crosses Downtown Abbey with Airplane! and Monty Python,” so there you go. And follicly speaking, Damian’s mustache is actually the most subdued — that’s how big they’re going with the comedy. Fackham Hall is available to rent now in the US and UK, but it’s only now hitting theaters in Australia which is why Damian just had a very eccentric, very British interview in The Guardian:
There’s a scene in which you spit an hors d’oeuvre squarely at Katherine Waterston. How many takes did you need to get it right?
Thirty-three. But that’s because I asked for 20 more just because I was enjoying it. I hit her in the face one time — she was very good about it. [laughing] It was almost like she enjoyed it.What has been your most memorable interaction with a fan?
Well, I had a stalker. We had an injunction on her and I thought that everything was safe and then I was on stage doing a press night in the West End and someone stood up out of the front row and put flowers at my feet and I realised it was my stalker. My blood froze. I wish I could have a nicer one!What is the worst job you have ever done?
I think it was selling overcoats at Burberry. I kinda got fired because I was not very good at it. I was conning people into wearing the wrong-size raincoats and telling them that it was the fashion, and they were really too big or really too small. And then I got found out. I just did it for the badness of it. I had that job for about three weeks.What film do you always return to and why?
Withnail and I. I first watched it when I was a drama student, training to be an actor, and I didn’t get any of the jokes. It just seemed horribly real, and I had to watch it again to realise that it was a comedy masterpiece. But when I first watched it I sat there sort of glum and increasingly depressed at these two out-of-work actors because I hadn’t started as a professional actor yet. But it’s become one of my favourite all-time films.What is the oldest thing you own and why do you still have it?
Either Clowny or Ellie. They were my two favourite stuffed toys when I was five. I gave them to my kids. They’re in good shape — I mean, the clown’s lost a few eyes and a nose. They sleep with me in my bed, obviously.What is the strangest thing you have done for love?
[Singing I’d Do Anything for Love by Meat Loaf] I’d do anything for love, but I won’t do that … I’ve done a lot of strange things. How strange am I prepared to go right here? Very, verrry strange. Actually, I don’t know if you do strange things for love. You just do lovely things for love, don’t you?
Damian Lewis is facking hilarious! And it’s that dry, understated humor the British excel at. Like slipping in at the end of his answer that he sleeps with his two childhood stuffed toys, obviously. But the bit that really makes my inner lowkey anarchist heart sing is the stunt he pulled in his three weeks working at Burberry. The most quintessentially classic British fashion house, and Damian is running an absurdist social experiment on the customers. And not for any anthropological research — just to be a punk messing with people! (People who, imo, should reasonably be capable of selecting appropriate-sized clothing for themselves.) It’s the kind of chaos gremlinery that reminds me of his fellow Brit, John Oliver. The only thing left that would put the perfect tartan-print bow on this story is if Burberry signed Damian as a brand ambassador; he’s been to their fashion week shows, it’s possible! And of course he has to be styled in a coat five sizes too large.
Finally, I have to say I’m so happy to see this man’s sense of humor is intact and thriving. I can’t believe it will be five years this April since his gorgeously talented wife Helen McCrory passed away from cancer, far too young.
Photos credit: Phil Lewis/Wenn/Avalon, Lionel Guericolas/Avalon, Dave Bedrosian/Future Image/Cover Images, James Warren/Bang Showbiz/Avalon, Justin Ng/Avalon
I lurvvvved him in Homeland and Billions,have to revisit them every couple of years .
Pretty funny interview! Lewis is so talented.
He’s an actor that I enjoy when he’s onscreen but I never think about him when he’s not. I should watch more of his stuff.
Ah, yes, perfect kind of actor. Many of his colleagues should strive to be more like that.
Loved him in Band of Brothers and Wolf Hall and this detective show I can’t remember the name of where he’d been wrongly imprisoned before becoming a cop… what WAS that show? Also sincerely hope he and his kids are doing well.