Obscure British Actors 101: Julian Rhind-Tutt

I can't gush enough about my love for hulu.com and the way it keeps offering British comedies and dramas that are impossible to find on American television (and possibly even buy on DVD). One of my favorite shows to re-watch is Green Wing, and I'm currently in the middle of the second season. Set in a hospital and populated by fantastic cast of character actors, Green Wing is similar to Scrubs in its ability to balance grounded storylines with absurd gags. And if it wasn't for Julian Rhind-Tutt, I would have never discovered it.

• The first thing I saw him in - The ill-fated and short-lived American TV show, Keen Eddie. I watched it because it was set in London, and it was one of the few instances where I didn't actually know any of the actors that starred in it. Of course, Sienna Miller has since became a household name, and I began following the careers of several actors after Keen Eddie ended, including Julian's.
• Why I like him - Even if he was a crap actor, I'd still be in love with him because of that mop of ginger hair. But of course he's a great character actor, and I love it when he pops up in something I'm watching (like Any Human Heart, Stardust, Crooked House, and Black Books).
• My favorite role of his - Obviously I'd have to pick one of his more substantial roles, rather than a guest-starring spot in a TV show or TV movie. Although I love them both, I'd probably choose Mac on Green Wing instead of Monty Pippin on Keen Eddie due to Pippin's (occasionally endearing) creepiness.
• My least favorite role of his - How about the one where his character murdered a child? Yeah, that one.
• A role I'd like to see him in - Julian's done a little bit of everything, from costume dramas to contemporary comedies and heroes to villains, so I can't really add anything to his list. Except a role in Doctor Who. As The Doctor.

Obscure British Actors 101: David Morrissey

A couple of days ago I finished watching the last movie in the Red Riding trilogy, and the miniseries South Riding is next on my list. Besides similar names, they have one more thing in common: the actor David Morrissey.

• The first thing I saw him in - Way back in early 2008, when my David Tennant obsession was in full swing, I watched a mini-series/one-season TV show called Blackpool. It's remembered primarily as the show where the actors broke out into dance numbers while lip-syncing music, but it was a genuinely good murder mystery with fascinating characters (and a pair of Davids who are very easy on the eyes).
• Why I like him - Where do I begin? The Northern accent? The floppy hair? The deep voice? The sexy intensity? Also, nobody does morally ambiguous characters better (Ripley Holden in Blackpool, a corrupt policeman in Red Riding, one of the murderers on Murder on the Orient Express, etc.).
• My favorite role of his - Definitely Colonel Brandon in the most recent Sense and Sensibility. He's so good in the role that I can't decide whether he or Alan Rickman make a better Colonel, and I love me some Alan Rickman.
• My least favorite role of his - I've never seen it, but imdb tells me that David was in Basic Instinct 2, so I'd probably pick that. Otherwise, his career decisions are pretty flawless.
• A role I'd like to see him in - I think he'd make a fantastic villain. Not an anti-hero or someone you can half-way sympathize with, but an honest-to-goodness villain. Like a mob boss or corrupt politician.

Obscure British Actors 101: Russell Tovey

Because I live a very exciting life, I'm spending the entire day in front of the television watching BBC America's Being Human marathon, which started at 5:00 AM this morning (and yes, I woke up in time for the first episode because I'm THAT dedicated of a fan). The third season premieres tonight, so I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to watch the first two seasons and refresh my memory of the show's mythology. In honor of this fabulous day of British television, I've chosen to profile Russell Tovey, since he was the reason I discovered Being Human in the first place.

• The first thing I saw him in - I first saw him in an episode of Doctor Who, specifically the 2007 Christmas Special, "The Voyage of the Damned." It didn't take long for me to notice him because a) he was adorable and b) his character's name was Alonzo, as in "Allons-y Alonzo."
• Why I like him - Russell is great at playing ordinary, adorkable, nerdy guys who rise to the occasion and turn into convincing badasses. He's also able to balance drama with comedy, which is one reason why the cast of Being Human makes the show so brilliant. In the middle of all the angst, you need an actor with great comedic timing, and Russell has that. It's also worth noting that he's part of a special group of British actors who starred in The History Boys, one of my all-time favorite plays (and movies).
• My favorite role of his - definitely George Sands on Being Human
• My least favorite role of his - John Chivery in Little Dorrit, but not because I hate his performance or the character. John pines for Amy Dorrit his entire life, only to have her spurn him in favor of Matthew Macfadyen...breaks my heart every time.
• A role I'd like to see him in - I'd love for him to do another costume drama, but one where his character gets a happy ending. I could easily see him playing Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park, or maybe Emma's Mr. Knightley when he's older.

Obscure British Actors 101: Ioan Gruffudd

If my friends had to describe me in three words, I know for a fact that there is one word everybody would choose: Anglophile. I've been obsessed with British history and pop culture for ten years now, and I'm fairly confident that few people have a greater knowledge of obscure British actors than me. With that in mind, I've created a regular feature that I can use whenever my life is boring and I have no incentive to blog. Like "Current Obsessions Disguised as Recommendations," but with even more pretty boys. And now, without further ado, I present to you: Obscure British Actors 101!*

*not an actual college course, unfortunately

I saw this meme floating around tumblr yesterday and thought it would be a great way to introduce some of my favorite actors. And I've decided that there's no better place to start than with the obscure British actor that started it all, Ioan Gruffudd.

• The first thing I saw him in - Waaaaay back in 9th grade (fall of 2000), I was spending another boring Saturday watching movies on television. As I flipped past A&E, a very pretty man in a naval uniform caught my attention and made me stop. It didn't take long for me to be hooked, and I credit Horatio Hornblower with introducing me to the costume drama genre (as well as several actors).
• Why I like him - Besides the pretty-boy face with lovely blue eyes and great bone structure, Ioan is obviously a great actor. Specifically, he's a great actor for roles of fictional and historical leaders (Horatio, Mr. Fantastic, William Wilberforce, Lancelot). Ioan has the fantastic ability to give passionate and inspiring speeches, and he's always believable despite his youthful appearance.
• My favorite role of his -I'll always have a soft spot for Horatio Hornblower, but it's probably William Wilberforce in Amazing Grace.
• My least favorite role of his - Definitely 102 Dalmatians (although he did meet his wife on the set, so at least something good came out of that movie)
• A role I'd like to see him in - Ioan's ability to play natural leaders suggests that he would be great as one of England's more inspiring monarchs, but I'd also love to see him go against type and play a charming con man, a la Matt Bomer in White Collar.

Review: Him & Her

I first heard about the television show Him & Her about six months ago, when Russell Tovey kept tweeting about his new show. It got a little bit of buzz on the websites I frequent (I wouldn't know about half of my favorite British shows if it weren't for the internet, let alone able to watch them), but there's been no indication that BBC America will air it. So when I found it on youtube a few days ago, I jumped at the chance to watch it. 

The title of the show is very simple, but it perfectly describes the plot: for six half-hour episodes, we get a glimpse into the life of Steve and Becky, who have been dating for seven months. There's only one set - Steve's flat - and a small group of friends and relatives to round out the cast.

I wasn't completely charmed by the pilot episode, but I rarely dismiss a TV show after only one episode, so I went ahead and started the second one. Once I had a feel for the show and the characters, I kept watching episodes until I (all too quickly) finished the series.

Him & Her works so well because it's meant to be a realistic representation of couples in their mid-20s (after they leave college for the real world), and the comedy stems from the absurdity found in every day situations. During the course of the series, we meet Steve's slightly creepy neighbor, watch Steve meet his girlfriend's parents, celebrate his birthday, and get annoyed that his girlfriend's sister won't let him watch the football game. I love a surreal comedy like The Mighty Boosh as much as the next girl, but I really appreciate a story that mirrors the simplicity of my own life. For this very reason, I found the style of Him & Her to be very reminiscent of the original UK version of The Office. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Him & Her improved with every episode, and I'd love for it to get a second series.

Current Obsessions (Disguised as Recommendations), Part 2

Now reading: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett - One of my great obsessions is medieval England, so the modern classic The Pillars of the Earth has been on my radar for several years. I watched the mini-series last year and absolutely loved it, although I tended to yell at the TV every time that the true historical account of The Anarchy was changed to suit Follett's plot. I started reading the book a couple of days ago, and I must admit, I can't put it down. Despite the fact that he's yet another author who changes history on a whim, I can't deny that Follett is a masterful storyteller when employing his own characters.

Now watching: Miranda - One week ago, I had never heard of the TV show Miranda or its creator and star, Miranda Hart. Now, it's one of my top ten favorite Britcoms (mental note: top ten list would make a great blog post). I watched all twelve episodes of its two seasons in three days, and I'm going through such terrible withdrawals that I will probably watch it again next week. Oh all right, I admit it...I'm madly in love with Gary (played by the adorable Tom Ellis) and want to see him again.

Can you blame a girl?

Now listening to: "Proud" by Heather Small - This song is one of the running jokes in Miranda, but it's actually legitimately good!

Current Obsessions (Disguised as Recommendations)

After the non-stop action of the holidays, my life has slowly settled back into its old routine.  I'm still checking archival job listings every week, and in another week or two, I'll start searching for a part-time retail job.  Until then, though, I'm enjoying my break between college and the real world by reading as many books and watching as many actors as I possibly can.  And since my day revolves around books and actors, I thought I'd talk about my most recent discoveries.

Now reading: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman - When I was in middle school I adored reading Pullman's Sally Lockhart trilogy, which was about a girl solving mysteries in Victorian England, and I still read them every two or three years.  I always meant to read his other trilogy, His Dark Materials, but I didn't even buy the books until the movie came out in 2007.  I'm only 100 pages into the first book, but I can already tell that I won't be disappointed. 

Now listening to: "I See the Light" from Tangled - I found this song on youtube before the movie was even released, and my first reaction was a) oooh this is pretty and b) OMG ZACH LEVI IS SINGING *swoon*.  After seeing the movie and placing the song in the proper context, though, I've become absolutely obsessed.  I listen to it at least once a day, and I see no need to apologize.




Now watching: Upstairs, Downstairs - Last week, the BBC aired a three-hour miniseries rebooting the classic 1970s drama Upstairs, Downstairs, set six years after the original series ended and introducing completely new characters.  I've never seen the original series (PBS hasn't re-aired it in ages and the DVDs are dreadfully expensive), but that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the show in the slightest.  It started out a little wobbly (I found several of the characters boring at first), but I thought it ended very strongly.  I particularly loved the theme of responsibility to the family and the shifting definitions of family.  Oh, and this man certainly added to the appeal:

I wouldn't mind seeing Ed Stoppard show up in all of my costume dramas.