Hugh Bonneville: From dress-up to Downton
British actor Hugh Bonneville achieved global fame for his role in Downton Abbey. But rejection has always been something he’s had to deal with too — sometimes in unusual ways.
As a boy, British actor Hugh Bonneville started dressing up in his father’s old clothes and putting on plays at home. He booked his first professional part as Ralph Fiennes’ understudy in Hamlet, and later his celebrated roles in Iris, Downton Abbey and the Paddington films. He talks about his unique method of handling rejection, how some people expect him to be like his pompous character Lord Grantham, and about coping with his father’s dementia. (A longer version of this interview was first broadcast in November 2022)
Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Maryam Maruf
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com
(Photo: Hugh Bonneville. Credit: Getty Images)
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