Nathaniel Curtis, 31, grew up close to Bournemouth and skilled at London’s East 15 Performing Faculty. After 5 years of struggling to seek out work, his breakthrough position got here enjoying Ash Mukherjee in It’s a Sin, Russell T Davies’ collection a couple of group of homosexual buddies rising up within the shadow of Aids in Eighties London. The critically acclaimed present grew to become certainly one of Channel 4’s greatest ever dramas and received a number of awards. Curtis now takes the title position of Britannicus in a brand new manufacturing of Jean Racine’s Roman tragedy on the Lyric Hammersmith theatre.
Whenever you first learn the It’s a Sin scripts, how did you react?
I simply wept. It’s part of historical past that wasn’t taught at college or mentioned in my dwelling. I knew [the Aids crisis] had occurred however didn’t realise the small print. The script opened my eyes – a lot that I couldn’t cease crying. And I used to be studying it on a practice. Word to self: don’t learn Russell T Davies scripts on public transport.
Did you see British-Asian characters like Ash on display if you had been rising up?
No – Indian characters had been both good or humorous, very not often each. And undoubtedly by no means attractive. One among my audition scenes was the place Ritchie [Olly Alexander] assumes that Ash is Muslim or Hindu, which does occur. However aside from that dialog, Ash being Indian is nothing to do with who he's. Russell wrote that so superbly.
It was your first TV job. Was that nerve-racking?
God sure. I tripped over the digital camera on my first day. I fell over it so many instances, poor Dan the cameraman ended up making a joke of it. Every time I walked previous, he’d say “Let’s give Nathaniel some house.”
Had been the intercourse scenes intimidating too?
They may have been if it weren’t for Olly being good. Additionally, the intimacy coordinator turned out to be an previous faculty good friend. I heard this voice go “Oi, your hair’s nicely lengthy”, circled and it was David Thackeray, who was on my basis course. He’s a candy, enjoyable presence.
Your Twitter bio is ‘The tall one with the hair’. Is that how individuals have a tendency to explain you?
At all times. After I meet individuals, as a substitute of hiya, they are saying “You’re so tall.” I didn’t realise how a lot consideration my hair would get after It’s a Sin. I want it lengthy. With quick hair, I appear like a really tall child.
When did you realise It’s a Sin was an enormous hit?
After I noticed somebody watching it on the London Underground. I assumed, “Are you certain you need to be watching this in public?”. My cellphone didn’t cease vibrating for months. Family and friends from everywhere in the world had been sending me pictures of the poster. And Elton John referred to as me out of the blue. I used to be on the Tube myself on the time and was so embarrassed however he’s a stunning man.
How had been the 80s fashions? I heard there was a transformative pair of trousers…Whenever you’re 6ft 5in and all leg, you can't discover trousers that match correctly. However there was one pair of high-waisted black silk trousers that, let me inform you, modified my life. Thanks, Ian, the costume designer.
You labored in schooling earlier than touchdown the position of Ash. Did his speech about Part 28 – after he’s informed to undergo all of the books within the faculty library and take away any references to homosexuality – resonate with you?
Sure, I labored with primary-school and special-needs youngsters. Ash being a trainer was fortuitous. At college, I used to be the kid who spent their lunchtimes within the library. Books have all the time been certainly one of my best pleasures, in order that monologue meant so much to me.
What’s the legacy of the present?
It’s a Sin began conversations that wanted to occur. It opened a chapter of historical past that sure individuals had tried to maintain shut. It confirmed the devastation of dropping a whole era of queer individuals. It led to an enormous rise in HIV testing, so the awareness-raising facet is necessary too.
Earlier than It’s a Sin, you struggled to seek out roles for 5 years. Was that a powerful time?
It was. I left drama faculty at 23 and went 5 years once I didn’t land an performing job. It’s exhausting being recent out of drama faculty and probably not figuring out what you’re doing. I really feel for younger actors who’ve graduated previously two years. It’s even harder now.
Did you come near quitting?
Completely. I had a dialog in 2019 with my elder sister and mentioned, “What am I doing? I can’t do that!” She mentioned: “No, you’ve received to maintain attempting.” Per week later, I landed a brand new agent. That led to me getting Romeo and Juliet with Open Bar Theatre firm, then It’s a Sin. So because of my sister Sarah for the pep speak.
Is there nonetheless an absence of alternatives for overtly homosexual actors of color or is that bettering?
The trade is opening up. Seeing extra variety on display just isn't solely necessary, it’s additionally life. The world is huge and has many alternative faces. It’s great to see individuals who don’t all look the identical.
Latest weeks have seen the primary blackstar of Physician Whointroduced, and the first skilled footballer popping out for 30 years. Is change within the air?
I really hope so. Ncuti Gatwa is insanely gifted and will likely be an unbelievable Physician. And the way courageous of Jake Daniels. How great for younger sportspeople to have him as an affect. We’re seeing wonderful modifications. It makes the world a greater, brighter place.
You appeared within the Bake Off particular final Christmas. Was Paul Hollywood scary?
These eyes are very, very blue. Additionally he’s very quiet and I don’t actually know what to do with that. However he was fairly taken with my little pretzel reindeer. I’ve been a Bake Off fan for the reason that starting, so getting that cellphone name was a dream. And I received, so it was clearly meant to be.
Subsequent up, you’re in Netflix prequel collection The Witcher: Blood Origin. What are you able to inform us?
I filmed that final summer time and might’t watch for individuals to see it. Going from It’s a Sin to The Witcher, from a historic drama to a fantasy collection, was fairly a shift. It’s cool to indicate a little bit of vary.
Which actors’ careers do you admire and need to emulate?
I cherished Helen McCrory. When she handed, it actually affected me. And I might watch Daniel Mays learn the cellphone e-book.
Your newest position is in the Roman tragedy Britannicus. Was it a narrative you knew earlier than touchdown the lead?
Nope, didn’t understand it existed. I knew bits in regards to the emperor Nero. After I learn the script I assumed, “Nicely, that’s unbelievable.” It was written by Jean Racine but it surely’s been tailored by Timberlake Wertenbaker, who’s completed a sensational job. It’s a stupendous mixture of contemporary and classical. It hasn’t been on a serious London stage for 10 years, so I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
What’s your character like?
Nicely, he’s tall and appears half-Indian with quite a lot of hair. I can’t assume why they forged me [laughs]. Britannicus is sophisticated – the Roman empire was meant to go to him upon the dying of his father however he was usurped by his stepbrother and he’s not thrilled. It’s intense, high-stakes and all set inside a 12-hour timeframe.
Do the play’s themes really feel well timed?
It’s filled with corrupt politicians and it’s about abuse of energy, so that you be the decide. You'll be able to definitely relate it to 2,000 years later.
Is there a buzz about theatre audiences since lockdown lifted?
Completely. After so lengthy being frightened of it, it’s electrical being again in a spot the place everyone seems to be there collectively to take pleasure in one factor – be it sport, be it theatre, be it a gig. It’s type of like coming dwelling.
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