A place to update visitors with the latest news and information about Christopher Eccleston and his work and also to inform visitors about any updates/additions to my Chris related website.
Christopher Eccleston had a "miserable experience" on 'Thor: The Dark World'.
The 54-year-old actor portrayed Malekith, The ruler of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim, in the 2013 superhero movie and though he thought director Alan Taylor and lead actor Chris Hemsworth did a great job, he signed up without being aware it would take seven hours a day to transform him into his character, which he didn't enjoy.
He said: "They said to me in the negotiations, 'There'll be a little bit of make-up'. What they didn't say was that it'd be seven hours of it, which was very dishonest of them.
"That was a miserable experience and a dreadful performance, but I loved working with Alan - he's a great director.
"And Hemsworth was fantastic. A generous actor who really had his feet on the ground."
Christopher also branded his own performance as Raymond Calitri in 'Gone In 60 Seconds' "se" and admitted his latest job as hard man Harvey in 'Dead In A Week (Or Your Money Back)' is the first time he's been happy in such a role.
He said: "Whenever I've played these sorts of people before, I've failed miserably.
"In 'Gone in 60 Seconds' I was se - though I was told recently by a fan that, 'You're so bad in it, it's good.'
"I take my responsibility, but in 'G.I. Joe' and 'Gone in 60 Seconds', the writing was poor."
One of the actor's first films was director Danny Boyle's debut movie 'Shallow Grave', and Christopher recalled how it was an "intense" shoot, and though he didn't really get on with co-stars Ewan McGregor and Kerry Fox, he thinks that was good for the picture.
He told Total Film magazine: "It was an intense shoot.
"Myself, Ewan and Kerry were never going to be friends - we just had different approaches to acting. But I think that was good for the film.
"We made it largely on an industrial estate in Glasgow that was freezing.
"I remember we wrapped on Bonfire Night and Danny Boyle looked like Jack Nicholson in 'The Shining'.
"His hair was stood up on end, his eyes were popping out, fireworks were going off and he turned around to me and said, 'I think I'm going mad.' "
Hello all, just to let everyone know that due to cost I've had to close the bad-wolf website, however I'm currently in the process of moving it to a free hosting site.
The new url is: www.bad-wolf.byethost7.com, I'm having to resize some of the videos & audio to fit the 10Mb file limit so not all the files are uploaded.
Those who have linked my website to theirs I'd be grateful if you'd update the link.
AS Christopher Eccleston happily points out, he has built his career on playing 'difficult men'. Why so? 'I've always perceived myself as a difficult or troubled character,' he chuckles, 'although I'm actually not — not much more than anyone else.'
Today, speaking over tea in a Soho club, he could hardly be more genial, even though no character has been quite as difficult as his latest: Macbeth, that treacherous soldier murdering his way to the Scottish throne. Eccleston is playing the title role in the Royal Shakespeare Company's latest production, which has just transferred to the Barbican from Stratford-upon-Avon. 'It's called the tragedy of Macbeth, but in fact he's like Stalin or Hitler,' he says. 'A monster completely without morality.'
Full of sound and fury: Christopher is relishing playing a monster without morality PICTURES: RICHARD DAVENPORT
It's a rare stage outing for one of our most charismatic screen actors — from breakthrough performances in Shallow Grave and Our Friends In The North, to his 2005 stint in Russell T Davies' newly rebooted Doctor Who, and more recent work like this year's BBC family drama Come Home.
But the dream of playing Macbeth has driven his whole career, since he played the dual role of Macduff and the Sergeant in an amateur production aged 17. 'We toured the North West, so I got an insight into what the life of an actor is, on stage and off, staying in boarding houses, drinking every night. I fell in love with the lifestyle.' At the same time, it made him yearn to take the lead, and at the RSC specifically: 'I felt then, and I feel now, that I have the ammunition to play him.'
Finally, a couple of years ago, after 'a difficult time in my life and my career', which included divorce, he emailed RSC head Gregory Doran laying bare his ambition. Doran was immediately receptive — gratifyingly, as Christopher knew time was not on his side.
'I'm 54 and really you could play Macbeth at 18,' he says, 'so there is an element in our production of this being his last chance. It's a mid-life crisis of a lunge for power.' Audiences can expect a particularly creepy take on the play, referencing horror films like The Shining and Don't Look Now.
'It was the white middle classes that did Shakespeare. I was one of the thickos'
What took him so long? For much of his career, Christopher felt his working-class Salford background shut him away from Shakespearean and classical roles: 'It was the white middle classes that did Shakespeare. I was one of the yeomanry, the thickos. That's how it works. Class is massive in this country.' That's why he concentrated on opportunities in TV and film, though he still blazed a trail. More than a decade before Jodie Whittaker delighted Doctor Who fans with her Yorkshire accent, he played the time-traveller as a blunt Mancunian — so it's no surprise he has praised Jodie's casting, telling Radio 4: 'She's working class, she's Northern, what can go wrong?"
Christopher has done Shakespeare professionally before: in 2002, he was Hamlet at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. But while he was warmly received, he never felt comfortable in the role. 'I think I did it because I thought I should,' he says. Although much more at ease with Macbeth, he still sees the experience as a learning curve. 'I definitely wasn't ready when we opened. I don't think the production was ready, for a lot of complicated reasons, and I think certainly I'm giving a much stronger performance now. I would say I've stopped trying too hard.'
Refreshingly, he reads all his reviews — good and bad. 'Once I started working as an actor, I thought, "I'm running a business here, and I need to know what people are saying about the product."'
These days he's less worried about money than doing work he loves and devoting himself to his children, Albert and Esme. Though he flirted with blockbusters like Gone In 60 Seconds and Thor: The Dark World, Hollywood couldn't be further from his current ambitions. 'I've been there and I've given some dreadful performances, and that's nobody's fault but mine,' he says baldly.
Instead he wants to make up for lost time by focusing on theatre and doing a play a year. Roles he fancies include Richard III, Prospero, Peer Gynt, and 'Cyrano de Bergerac… I wouldn't need the prosthetic for that,' he laughs, referring to his striking nose.
There's also a more personal project in prospect: a memoir about his late father's decline into dementia. The forklift truck driver was a 'very intelligent man whose job didn't ask much of his intelligence, so there was a tremendous sense of tension and frustration in him'.
In writing the book, Christopher says: 'I think I'm trying to bring him back to life for myself and reject this idea of "ordinary" people. He was extraordinary — it's all about how we render people and see them.'
As one of a trio of young professionals dealing with a dead housemate, he was the standout in Danny Boyle's debut thriller — thanks to the disturbing transformation of his character David, from mild-mannered accountant into madman.
Our Friends In The North
BBC, 1996
Although he was offered the role that went to Daniel Craig, he preferred to play the complex Nicky. The revered nine-parter about post-war Britain made the names of both actors, plus co-stars Mark Strong and Gina McKee.
Doctor Who
BBC, 2005
His compellingly brooding take on the man in the Tardis helped reboot the show for a new era — alas, he left after one series. 'I couldn't get along with the senior people,' he revealed. 'I didn't agree with the way things were being run.'
Come Home
BBC, 2018
Although it wasn't in the script, he 'insisted' on using a Northern Irish accent for his devastating performance as Greg in this three-part divorce drama. Why? 'I didn't want to sound like me. Because I had gone through [divorce].'
Christopher Eccleston says he is chuffed to land a voice role in Danger Mouse – and that it means as much to him as Macbeth.
The star, 54, voices the role of the dastardly J Woolington Sham in an episode of the CBBC show on Monday.
"I'm playing Macbeth at the RSC at the moment. Danger Mouse is just as important to me – and I'm not kidding!" the former Doctor Who star said.
Christopher Eccleston's character in Danger Mouse (CBBC)
Eccleston said he was a fan of the children's cartoon even as a young adult.
"I first started watching it when I was about 19 – what was a young man doing watching Danger Mouse?!
"I don't think I'd ever heard northern accents in an animation before and that meant a huge amount to me," he said.
The cast also includes fellow special guest Richard Ayoade as The Snowman along with regulars Alexander Armstrong (Danger Mouse), Kevin Eldon (Penfold) and Stephen Fry (Colonel K).
Simon & Schuster UK is to publish actor Christopher Eccleston's memoir charting his own acting career plus the impact on him and his family of his late father's struggle with dementia.
Iain MacGregor, publishing director of non-fiction at S&S UK, acquired world rights, including audio, for I Love the Bones of You from Paul Stevens at Independent Talent, to be published in September 2019.
Drawing on his memories, the former "Doctor Who" actor will describe a vivid life growing up in a Salford, working-class household in the 1970s with his siblings and mother as well as "the totemic figure of his hardworking, serious-minded and socialist father" Ronnie.
It will explore how his life changed from a potential future as "factory fodder" in his native Northwest, to a deep-rooted desire to perform on stage, and what developed into an acting career that has included his film debut "Let Him Have It" to the BBC's landmark drama mini-series "Our Friends in the North" and his relaunch of the "Doctor Who" series.
A S&S UK spokesperson said Eccleston will also discuss the loss of his father and his family's struggle to cope with his condition over the past decade of his life as they watched his health deteriorate.
Eccleston said: "My father was an 'ordinary man', which of course means he was extraordinary. I aim to capture him and his impact on my life and career."
MacGregor said: "Like many, many people across Britain today, Chris bears the pain and loss of a dear parent who was taken by this incredibly vile condition. He wanted to not only record his father's journey, but to celebrate his life, and that of his family also. We are privileged he has decided to take this journey with Simon & Schuster UK."
Well, they did need something old and blue. But when two Doctor Who fans were getting hitched, they probably didn't expect an appearance by the Doctor himself. Not that he was entirely happy about it.
"That's just typical," whinged Christopher Eccleston, back in character as the Doctor. "You fall in love, you get married, you're really happy, and me, the Doctor, who's saved the universe god knows how many times, doesn't get an invite."
"Doesn't. Get. An invite. Typical of you apes, isn't it?"
Daww, he's a softie really. The surprise message for Liam and Blaine – or 'Blame' as the Doctor rechristens them – is a touching reminder that even if Eccleston left the series under contentious circumstances, he has always made time for the fans. Just try to listen to the last line without blubbing.
"My two hearts are beating as one for you today. Congratulations on your wedding day, and I won't be there in the blue box, but I will be there in spirit."
The King and I: Christopher Eccleston on Sir Anthony Hopkins
Christopher Eccleston reveals why he wrote to the head of BBC drama asking for a role alongside his acting hero Anthony Hopkins in King Lear – and how he 'ruthlessly' used his TV fame to play Macbeth at the RSC
"When I heard the BBC were doing King Lear with Sir Anthony Hopkins, I wrote to Piers Wenger, controller of BBC drama, and said I would like to audition for a role. I am never seen for classical roles and I think that is to do with my background – which is ironic, because Tony is the son of a baker and grew up in Port Talbot.
"The casting director didn't want me. I suggested myself for a number of roles and was finally offered Oswald. When I walked into the rehearsal room, the director Richard Eyre said: 'Why are you here? Oswald is a small role, and we've made him even smaller.' I just pointed at Tony Hopkins and said: 'because of him'.
"Tony changed everything for me. When I was at drama school, I got a job as an usher at the National Theatre. One of the shows in 1985 was Pravda, written by David Hare and Howard Brenton, where they combined the figures of Robert Maxwell and Rupert Murdoch and made him a South African newspaper editor. Tony Hopkins walked on stage in a box suit with slick back hair and his performance changed my life.
Anthony Hopkins in Pravda at the National Theatre, 1985
"What was amazing was that he always seemed like he might leave the stage at any minute. Or smash the entire place up and lose control. Or jump into the audience. But he was completely in control of what he was doing.
"It was explosive. Animalistic. Electrifying. I learned that theatre can be as exciting to watch as sport. It made me feel like I was watching George Best play football, Alex Hurricane Higgins play snooker, or Nastase and McEnroe play tennis.
"Then I would go backstage and see him eating beans on toast on his own, very reserved, looking considerably physically smaller than he did on stage – because on stage he just looked massive. I knew that was the kind of actor I wanted to be.
"So when King Lear came up, I just wanted to be in the rehearsal room. Especially because also I knew that I was going on to play Macbeth this year.
"I wanted to learn and pay my respects. It was everything I thought it would be and more. There were actors like Emma Thompson, Jim Carter, Andrew Scott and we would see him do something and glance at each other, as if to say, 'I can't believe I am here seeing this'. Tony is now 80. He is bringing a lifetime of experience to Shakespeare's greatest role, a man confronted with his own mortality.
"In our first scene I get in the way of the Hopkins rage. He pushes me to the ground. It becomes a recurring theme. He is after me. The last thing an actor needs is somebody stood there in awe. So I just did the job. But you get a great sense of play with him, he wants to do the scene with you. You are not there to feed him lines.
"It was one of the greatest professional experiences of my life. An ambition achieved. The way the leading actor behaves sets the tone and Tony was impeccable. And he did eat beans on toast, so my memory of him was correct!
"Growing up I didn't go to the theatre. Television was my theatre, and occasionally I'd see a James Bond film. So I had a huge amount of baggage about Shakespeare not being for me.
"But this state-educated son of a baker who didn't go to university is the greatest living male classical actor. Tony has a visceral, physical, instinctive working-class approach and seeing that made me feel I had a chance.
I have ruthlessly exploited the fact that I am a television face to get Macbeth and find myself coming up short
"But I have since discovered quite how hard doing Shakespeare the way Tony does it is.
"I made Macbeth, which I am doing at the moment, happen by writing directly to the RSC. I have minimal Shakespeare experience. It must be frustrating for actors who don't have my level of exposure to see me get the role.
Eccleston in Macbeth (photo: Richard Davenport)
"I have ruthlessly exploited the fact that I am a television face to get that role and find myself coming up short. I am self-critical. You have to be. My performance has improved since press night but it takes a lifetime to get it the way it should be done.
"I have now seen Tony Hopkins do King Lear on stage in 1987 and on camera in this. You can't take your eyes off the fella. If I am still here, I want to play Lear in 30 years, so that is the other element to my pursuit of this role.
"Shakespeare has been regarded as elitest and a revolution has to happen. I hope the BBC will be really mindful of gender-blind and colour-blind casting. It is happening in theatre and needs to happen with Shakespeare on screen. I do wonder where the next Anthony Hopkins is coming from.
"We need to throw the net wider and get more sons and daughters of bakers playing the leads."
King Lear airs on Monday 28 May at 9.30pm on BBC2 and is available on iPlayer
Poetry for reconciliation, inspired by the final words printed in the First Folio (the end of Cymbeline), this recital will include poetry from all periods about peace and reconciliation. With readings by Christopher Eccleston and Niamh Cusack.
The former series showrunner breaks his silence over the actor's issues with the BBC sci-fi series, and pays tribute to Eccleston's "magnificent" performance
Christopher Eccleston, says his Northern accent held him back when trying to secure Shakespearean roles on stage.
The actor star says there is a perception in the industry that "people like me can't be classical".
Eccleston was born into a working class family on a council estate in Salford in Lancashire in 1964.
He will appear as Macbeth in a new production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon, but he had to ask for the role.
"I'm never offered Shakespeare," he says. "I went after this. Nobody offered it me. I went after it."
He wrote "an old-fashioned letter" to the artistic director of the RSC, Gregory Doran.
"I said, since I was 17 I've always wanted to play Macbeth at the Royal Shakespeare Company. So can I do it?"
But the 54-year-old resents having to ask for roles.
"I should have been offered more but I didn't go the right university or the public schools. It needs to change," he adds.
He has played one other Shakespeare role on stage - Hamlet at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2002.
But nothing since. And he is convinced his background is to blame.
"I think the people who run some of the big established theatres, particularly in London, they associate Shakespeare with white, middle-class men.
"It's discrimination and I loathe it."
And for fans of his work on television, including Cracker and Our Friends in the North, and on film in Shallow Grave and 28 Days Later, Christopher Eccleston has a surprising confession.
"I became a television actor and a film actor by default. But if I'd been offered the big classic roles which I wanted to do, I'd have done them.
"I've had a passionate love of Shakespeare since I was 17, but in a way, it's like the love that dare not mention its name."
Nonetheless, despite the fact it makes him "very angry", Christopher Eccleston says he is "fortunate" because he is white and male.
"It's a lot more difficult for women," he adds.
And for that reason he thinks gender blind casting is "the greatest thing to happen to British theatre since William Shakespeare wrote his plays".
"The fact that there are women who will one day play Macbeth and play Hamlet, with no second thought, is the most wonderful thing," he says.
"But women still struggle. The roles are not there. There is still a long, long way to go."
Christopher Eccleston played the ninth incarnation of the Doctor when the show returned to BBC One after 16 years.
He welcomes the casting of Jodie Whittaker as the first female star of Doctor Who.
"She will be the best Doctor. I mean why did they have to wait so long?"
He says the role has been played by "too many skinny white men like me," before adding: " I absolutely loved playing the character and I'm so glad it's being reinvented."
