Pirate Radio’s hottie Tom Sturridge
Playing a gay role
EDGE: In playing a gay role in your first big job, was there any concern in how to approach that aspect of your character?
TS: I don’t think you should be concerned about anything. When you’re playing a part the most important part is to be true to the character. Anyone who has weird opinions about that then that’s their problem.
EDGE: You’re friends with Robert Pattinson so I’m curious what you think of the idea of celebrity and if that gets in the way of the work?
TS: From my point of view, I haven’t encountered any issues so I don’t have to worry about it.
EDGE: Were you familiar with the story of Pirate Radio before the movie came along?
TS: I was completely ignorant and had no idea. I was deeply shocked by the notion of not having any instantaneous access to music is sort of alien to my generation.
EDGE: What drew you to the role of Carl?
TS: I think it was the opportunity to be a part of this group of people. It’s rare where you have eight great actors in the film at the same time and a variety and combination of actors with such different backgrounds. People like Nick Frost and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Bill Nighy... they are all from different aspects of the industry, which is amazing to be a part of.
EDGE: There are a lot of guys in the cast so was it very testosterone-driven during filming?
TS: Yeah, there’s nothing more enjoyable then seeing massive comic egos try to battle out for who can be funniest in a scene.
EDGE: In the film, Carl comes in as the newbie and from what you said about your experience with Being Julia were you able to relate to that part of the role?
TS: Yeah, completely. Much in the way that I was intimidated and nervous about living and working with all these people I admired, it was very much the same as Carl going to live on this boat with his teachers and cultural icons. Story continues on the following page.
Watch this interview with Tom Sturridge on TalkingPicturesTV.
