Sky1’s new 12-part fantasy adventure series Sinbad continues this weekend, guest starring Timothy Spall (Harry Potter) as Anicetus.
> Order the Series 1 DVD on Amazon.
How would you describe your character Anicetus?
“Anicetus is a charming and very sweet old man, who turns out to be Death.”
And how does he fit into the storyline?
“He comes to whisk the princess away to be his bride because of a deal he made with an ancient king.”
How did you prepare for the role?
“There is no reference point really [laughs]. I just wanted to make him as charming and vulnerable as possible, while also introducing a slight whiff of mystery. Sinbad and the gang find him in the hull of an empty ship, and there is a bit of a battle between them about whether he is good or bad. I’m a seafarer and I’ve got my own boat, Princess Mathilda, so I was looking forward to the seafaring side of it as well.”
What makes this incarnation of Sinbad different?
“It is a 12-parter, so you’ve got more time to tell the story. I’ve only ever seen Sinbad in the films, and because they had to cram so much into them, there wasn’t enough air. This time, you get to revel in the atmosphere and the characters, and the modern take on the relationships means there are lots of undertones between them.”
What was it like filming in Malta?
“Hot – I wear what the Australians call a duffle coat [laughs]. I like to see the sun, but not sit in it. Lots of Sinbad was shot at night, so we didn’t have that problem.
“Malta is dusty, crumbly and an interesting character in itself. It has lots of history too, and we filmed in some of the hospitals of the Knights of Templar, of which St John was a member.”
What is your most memorable moment from filming?
“When I discovered I was a ventriloquist [laughs]. There is a moment where I say something quite contentious and I managed to say it without moving my lips. Even at my decrepit age, I’ve still got a few skills.”
Why do you think myths and fairy tales are so enduring?
“They are terrifying and somehow illustrate the fears of the human condition. I wouldn’t want to offend by just choosing one, but I loved Jason and the Argonauts as a kid, especially when that nasty bastard throws the teeth: “children of the Hydra’s teeth, like weeds, grow”. That is one of my favourite scenes of all time.”
What is the worst piece of advice you have ever been given?
“It was from someone that I actually admired, but I won’t tell you their name. I was in a play and we were sitting in the green room, when this actor said, “You were very good, very good, very good. People are going to like you … you little shit. You’re upstaging me.”
“I was only 21 and spent the rest of the time standing down stage from him. I wouldn’t have put up with that now: I probably would have slugged him round the head. He’s possibly the only person I’ve encountered in this business who is unpleasant.
“I’ve worked with some of the biggest film stars and it’s always a delight to find that they are not only brilliant and devoted to their work but nice people. It’s just as easy to be nice as it is to not be. You’re alright on the way up, it’s the people you encounter on the way back down that you’ve got to look out for.”
Why should people watch Sinbad?
“It’s got magic, adventure, the possibility of mystery in the world, unlikely heroes, a colourful tapestry and a glimpse of a bygone era. People have a lust and desire for the unknown.”
What three things would you take with you for a long voyage on The Providence?
“Number one: booze. You need that, especially when you’ve been shaken about by a force eight storm and are bloody frightened. Secondly, plenty of crisps and cheddars.
“And not forgetting millions of Fray Bentos tinned pies. There have been so many times when we’ve arrived somewhere and found everything has been closed. When that tinned pie opens, I know I’m going to be alright, that all is well and that God is in his element.”
> Order the Series 1 DVD on Amazon.
Watch the trailer…
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