Luke Thompson: Taking the Lead of Bridgerton, On Screen Romance, and Benedict’s Evolution

Luke Thompson. How are you, my man? >> I'm really good, thanks. Yeah, >> I am so happy to have you here. >> I'm really happy to be here. >> Welcome to a snowy New York. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> Are you living your best romcom dreams, bouncing around the snow, frolicking? >> Yeah, we actually took I had a flight in I took a flight an earlier flight to be able to a because I think they've probably been cancelled otherwise, but it was really great to be able to sit in a hotel room and watch the

snowfall. Yeah, it's pretty pretty magical. Yeah. I'm glad you're having a moment of peace because I imagine there are not many of them right now in your life. >> I think you can find, you know, you have to find them. You have to ask for them. But um I'm quite good at asking for them. I'm not a I don't like chain smoking things. I have to like have time to sit and then carry on. >> Good for you. Yeah. >> That's not always easy to do. >> No. Well, yeah. Turns out you can ask. >>

Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. >> Occasionally you feel like you can't, but you >> but you might not always get the answer you want. >> That's true. Right. >> And then you you move on. >> Yeah. [laughter] Exactly. Exactly. Okay. Well, because you are in this busy cycle, let's let's have a zen moment for a second. If you could have your perfect day from start to finish, what does it look like for you? >> Wow, that's a nice question. >> Um, I'd definitely be doing a play in the evenings. I think I like just the just the

cycle when I'm doing a play the cycle of those days are always so nice because you're sort of in um minor mode for the actual day because you're sort of having to save yourself up a little bit for the evening but you are sort of collecting things weirdly like I I I always find it interesting in like on in plays like how you you sort of soak up the day and then the day gets sort of almost processed through the show in the evening like it's quite a nice sort of little cycle. So in those

days like you can sort of you know you wake up quite late just go for a walk see someone I don't know a friend or something and just but just it's they're very lowkey days and then you get to do the show in the evening and then you go to sleep quite late and then you start it all over again. I think that would probably be my perfect day. >> Your happy place is the stage, huh? >> Um yeah. Yeah. I mean, I guess I guess acting is my happy place really in terms of like

um uh you know, I I I I just Yeah, it's it's it's exactly where I like to be. I feel like the any sense of like nervousness or um uh anything like that is something I've experienced like in real life rather than on stage. It's funny. I actually Yeah. Yeah. I actually feel like the happiest. I I'm sort of like my happiest on stage really. or you know in front of a camera. I always think like it's because I think I from a young age sort of spectate on myself a lot. I mean I think

a lot of people do it but I think there's something about performing where you outsource the spectating on the other people which means that you don't have to watch yourself. >> Do you know what I mean? You get sort of like be like okay well you guys can do the >> watching me and I can just do what I need to do. Um, so yeah, weirdly it's a very quiet like it's a very peaceful place because I feel like it shuts down that >> that you know uh third eye, isn't it? They're sort of like

person you know when you're looking at yourself. >> Yeah. It's like you're less in your head for you when you're performing versus when you're you. >> Yeah. I mean and and like you know on stage I guess is is an easier one because I started it earlier. I think it's very difficult to have nonprofessional experience of screen in the same way that you can of stage. I feel like actually though doing the show like I've slowly grown to love I mean it's a very very different way of working but I've grown to love you know

camera almost as much as as stage. I think that yeah there is still something about stage about you know the the the the instant communication I think that's that's really satisfying. I've almost I've noticed I've started to over the course of uh filming this season like tricked myself a little bit by sort of imagining that the camera maybe is this sort of wormhole through which there is actually an audience. There is someone watching. It's just that it's happening in a different in the future. >> Interesting. >> You know what I mean? Just to try and

sort like soften the camera because it can feel like quite a sort of scary uh surgical thing but actually you know there is someone watching. It's just it's not happening >> there and then whereas you know stage. As I say, it's you can you can feel it. It's there. >> Well, now you are front and center in that camera this season, man. I mean, this is your season. This is your moment. >> Have you watched the other leading men over the course of the three seasons and learned anything from them or picked up anything as

you step into your hero moment? >> Yeah, loads. I mean, I love Yeah, I've I've had a I'm in a very privileged position really because I've been able to, you know, very slowly get used to not only screen work, but also just the world of Bridgetton and how it works and all of that. And then also, as you say, watch other people. It's such a unusual show like that where you you know there's not I can't really think of another show where that which works like that where you don't have sort of you know you

know several characters all having story lines that thread through four seasons actually. It's like no now we're going to focus on this character and now we're going to focus on this character like it's a proper it it's and and so you get to see different people step up to the mark every in every season. So yeah, I mean I think loads uh I mean what struck me though more than anything is how um different people are in that in in that role because the pressures are different. The actors are different and the things that maybe

some actors will find difficult about leading a show are not necessarily the things that you find difficult. like it's such a personal experience I think and yeah I I feel very lucky because I was able to watch and learn from you know the three previous leads but also realize that actually the only way I can sort of do it is just do it myself and my own way as much as possible and sort of make the mistakes and just go through it because no one will know apart from me what it's like having me go

through it. Do you know what I'm saying? like it's just you just sort of have to jump in. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I always think it's it's good in any profession to be inspired by those around you and, you know, kind of take in what you want to take in from them, but also like you said, have the courage and bravery to go out and do something that's totally your own. Well, yeah. Only Well, I guess it's like you can learn loads. I mean, I remember doing uh a play years ago and I I was

able to it was a part where I was actually spending a lot of time just sat watching and I had to watch these two actors who are playing my parents um in the show uh do these scenes and I feel like there are so many like just watching them so many pennies dropped >> from just from just watching them do it that hadn't dropped when I was studying drama at drama school >> like I remember I suddenly remembered things that I was told at drama school but until you see them in action, enacted by someone,

you're like, "Oh, that's what they were talking about." >> Um, so yeah, I think you do you learn a lot, but then yeah, as with everything, like I think acting fundamentally is expression, right? And so if it's not personal, if it isn't um completely specific to you, it it's sort of not really worth doing, you know, like that that's sort of what people go want to go and watch. They want to watch something specific. >> Yeah. I guess. >> Yeah, 100%. This this series, I don't have to tell you, it just took over the world

so rapidly, right? 2020, it just kind of boom, came out with a bang. Do you remember a moment >> where you were like, "Okay, I think this is getting pretty big." Like, did did you have a personal moment? Do you remember what that was? Yeah, I think it was so odd though because it was during the pandemic so it was all quite strange to sort of sense anything because obviously I think don't think we had a premiere for season one. I don't believe like we didn't have any of that. So I just remember doing an

interview I think and I was on a Zoom call and I I remember being in my flat and putting the you know switching the Zoom call off and just I I don't know why if it was mentioned or something but suddenly sort of having this someone had mentioned I think on the call like you know 80 million people have watched this and yeah, I was sort of like that's ridiculous. So that's just sort of wild. Um, and it's funny like I don't think I expected it. I think I always felt when we first started the

show that the makers of the show were eerily confident about it. And you know, obviously when you're talking about producers like Shaan, like you know, the best in the business, you're like, they probably know what they're doing. But you know, as you say, like it was sort of like be there was a moment where Bridget wasn't a thing and then suddenly it was this whole thing and an aesthetic and a world and it sort of before it was a thing it was weird to be in it because you know when we were like shooting those

scenes I was like this is a period drama but it's a bit modern and uh you know like the there's all sorts of like different plates it's spinning and is it going to work? And obviously then that was before it was a thing. And now I mean I mean you can probably play someone I don't know a string quartet piece uh you know in a particular way and you be like oh that's so Bridgeten. Yeah. You know and that's that's incredible I think. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. To be part of that is Yeah. Very very

strange. >> Yeah. I mean it's it's cemented its place in pop culture history and for good reason. It brings so much joy to to so many people and like I said earlier it's your time now. It's your moment now. So, what's excited you the most about stepping in as the lead Bridgetgerton? >> I think the attention. But that sounds [laughter] but that sounds like weird. I think what I mean by that is that again, you know, to be in a show like, you know, there are so many shows out there now, not just shows. There's

so much content. There's so many things like pulling at people's attention. And so to be in something that actually commands that level of eyes on you or the thing across the globe, you know, transcending, you know, cultures, countries, all of that. I mean, that's the dream for an actor. Like, it's not it's not about agilation, it's about attention. Like, you get to Never did I think, you know, when you're doing a play, you're what you're performing to maybe goodness, like 25 if you go over a run, I don't know, maybe 25,000, maybe like 100,000 if

you're lucky. I don't know. >> Yeah. But if you're talking millions, like 80 million people are going to watch you do your thing, it's kind of Yeah. I mean, that that's that's amazing. It's such it's such a gift to be able to do, you know, to be able to do that. Particularly, I think in this age when, you know, our attention is so fragmented actually and, you know, we get to I get to step into the middle of this thing. It's >> Yeah, it's very very lucky. Did anything intimidate you about exploring Benedict's character even

more? [sighs] >> Um, no. No, it didn't. I mean, I think I was just really excited to do it >> because I've had the time to sort of be around Benedict for a while, >> but I also think I the more I've done this job, maybe, you know, because I've been I don't know, my first theater job was I was 25, so I've been doing it for a few years now. The more you sort of think the more interesting stuff is the stuff that you um that just that just comes out as in like, you

know, I think the more I've done this the more I sort of see it as the the more fun interesting part is the passive stuff, the stuff where you're just letting stuff happen. Like I think I would feel maybe anxious or worried or like you know concerned if I really felt like I had to deliver something. >> But I actually feel like um when you know you're in very good hands and you trust everyone around you, it's the easiest job in the world because you just get to live it and and and just sort of

like see what they throw at you does to you. Like it's it's it's much less sort of, you know, I didn't I had to sort of deliver a perfect like I don't know gymnastic tumble or something. It just felt like it was a process. It was like someone was saying hey come and join on this huge like I don't know waterfall adventure like just sort of like go on it. >> So no I I I it's funny that is not um that is not a a thing I I felt but again I do you know

acting is my happy place. It's the place that I'm I don't feel worried or nervous, I think. >> And something tells me you were ready to dive into this character. Like you you were ready. It was time. I mean, he's he's such an interesting character that we're going to learn so much more about. He's definitely more of a free spirit, right? I would say, >> where is he in his life when we meet him in the beginning of the season, in the first few episodes of the season? Well, it's funny because I feel like um

uh you know, I mean the word people use is glow up about like previous seasons, but I actually think it's funny like I don't think I don't think ever the writers thought of it as glow-ups, but like there the idea, for example, with season 3 with Colin's character is that that he does that thing where he comes back and he's slightly different and everyone's like, "Who's this guy?" And Benedict is the opposite. I think he you you you start in episode one and he's absolutely where we've left him. sort of stuck where where he where

he usually is and where he's sort of been, you know, I mean, the the phrase I think he uses with Eloise at the end of season 3 is saying, you know, I'll be I'll be there at Mother's Masquerade ball um avoiding debutants like the plague. And that's exactly where we find him. you know, sort of like showing up late, not really wanting to be there, but with this, I think, a sort of added sort of like slight tiredness setting in, I think, because he's been in this place of um I guess, yeah, he's been in

this sort of place of, as you say, freedom for a while. And I think it's starting to maybe not necessarily wear a little thin, but you can sense that maybe now what first feels like proper exploration now feels like maybe he's avoiding something, >> you know, and so yeah, it's it's it's I think it's interesting because he he we've got such a clear flavor of Benedict so far of what he's like and so and and it's his sort of customerf facing side. It's his very sort of like generous sort of like lovebombing side that will

just give everyone a little bit of charm and whatever. But actually, if you do that generally, how can you fall in love? Because, you know, falling in love is loving someone specifically. And actually, if you give everyone the same love bomb, how can you actually single someone out and be very specific about someone? So, yeah, that's where we leave him. We leave him in a sort we start with him I think in a sort of place where he's like oh he's on this sort of slight hamster wheel that he's been on for a while and

that's the fun of doing a long form show right which is at the start I think it didn't feel like a hamster wheel at the start you feel like wow this guy's just sort of you know exploring and developing and and finding himself and so I find it really interesting that the opening you're like oh suddenly this has become a bit of a cage >> without him I don't think I mean that gives him probably more self-awareness that he has like I don't I don't think he's necessarily aware of that. Um, but yeah, it's it's

sort of like quite an interesting place to find him, i.e. sort of stuck a little bit. >> Yeah. There are there are a lot of layers of him. I feel like as an actor must be fun to crack. >> Yeah. >> And I think in other seasons we've seen him exploring his sexuality, right? And figuring out >> what am I possibly? Am I bisexual? Am I panexual? I mean, what am I? How do I identify? How important is that for you in forming that character in terms of understanding what that sexuality is and do we

do we see more of that explored this season? Um, it's funny like I think what's really refreshing about him as a male character actually is that I think historically maybe those stories do tend to be about repression and about and you know as that is an you know very valid part of that story of you know repression anxiety and angst about that kind of stuff and again that sort of angst of like finding out who you are but I think what's distinctive about Benedict particularly as I say as a male character is that his sex

like I I even hesitate to say sexuality as in like sex seems to be this sort of force that he's sort of you know he he's very comfortable exploring and it doesn't feel like it actually is a sort of matter of of identity for him which is sort of quite striking >> and that actually it ends up being the sort of the thing that's um that's maybe that this sort of like constant exploration and curiosity again is sort of the thing that's maybe stopping him from encountering than one. I I you know, I absolutely think

like he he could have ended up with a man. It just so happened that it was Sophie, you know, and I I I I think Yeah, I I I appreciate that as a car um as a character because I think it's quite uh refreshing to see someone tackle their sexuality in that particular way in a sort of um it's nice to see someone that it doesn't seem to bother that much. >> Yeah. uh you know um and that's not to say that's everyone's experience certainly not but it's nice to see that. I think it's a

nice change that it's definitely part of him and I don't think it's something he's trying to sort of you know erase out of the way. I think it's just it is the show is tackling his se tackling sex as it relates to Benedict rather than you know you know giving that sort of that sort of identity story which is a very valid story but we've we we have seen a lot of >> Yeah. Yeah. And going [snorts] back to him being more of a free spirit, it makes total sense that a label isn't necessary. It's

just being who he is. >> Yeah. Exact. It's exactly that. And that's that's wonderful. I think like, you know, there has been this very necessary moment, I think, of, you know, of of celebrating labels actually and celebrating all of that. And, you know, everyone talks about that time. Oh, wouldn't it be great if like none of it mattered or like, do you mean that those labels weren't even necessary? And and I think Benedict sort of inhabits that place a little bit which is quite interesting. Yeah. >> So what do you think he wants the most?

Is it love? Is it freedom? Is it purpose? >> Oh goodness. What a question. Um, I think I think he wants to deep down I think he wants his life to mean something. I think he wants his his life to mean something. And and and I think that's what motivated the sort of like exploration to start with be like, "Oh, I feel like I'm the second son, but I don't know what that mean. I don't know what that means for me really. I don't know where how where I fit in in the world. >> Um

but I think I think that yeah the problem I think is that he sorry I think the problem is that he yes he's sort of like gotten lost I think down that route of just exploring. And I think deep down I think there is a huge part of him as as with any of us that does want to just actually stare life in the face you know and be like right and you know a lot of the process of um his his character like you know we talk a lot about um you know his idea

of a loving relationship is his mom and dad and his dad died very young and then he had to watch his mom mourn him. So, you know, he hasn't got a shining example [clears throat] of what I mean, in some ways it is shining, but it's quite a scary example of like losing, you know, losing the one you love, losing everything. >> And so, I think that's put him on a slight course of deferral and just like, oh, let's not worry about that because that's too scary. But I do think deep down and I it's

it's really familiar. I think I I I know a lot of people like that who are like, I really want to be in my life. I really want to live my life but I and I really wanted to begin but I don't know how to step into it. >> Yeah. >> And I Yeah. I particularly I think um today where there you know you have this illusion of so much choice and so much opportunity or you know particularly when it comes to love and dating apps and all of that and actually you know it's that

it is it's that desire of like oh I want my life to begin and you're waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say it began when you were born. There's there's no there's no rehearsal. There's no preparation time. It's happening >> and soon it will be over. So make some decisions and like you know take like just ju just put everything together you know don't spend too much time like deferring and deferring. I think >> isn't it funny how especially as we all get older we sometimes have to fight for being present

and being in those moments and not not letting life take us out of where we want to be. Right. It's like to your point like we're living. Let's live. Let's go. Come on. >> Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But that's both >> scary because I think in order to do that, you have to face reality. >> Yeah. >> In order to really live. >> And I don't think that's Benedict's strong point. I think somewhere he does want to, but he's also scared of it. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I I think that's that's his

struggle. I think >> you bring a lot of emotional intelligence and vulnerability to this role. It's very obvious talking to you and how you speak about him. so eloquently and it's apparent he means a lot to you. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he does. [laughter] I mean, it's funny. I think like um what's lovely about the character and do playing a character like that for years is that you get surprised, you know, like I remember way back to the like the first scene that I did um of his and where he says, you know, I feel

like I didn't fit in. And I was like, never did I like it's such a surprise the way this season the direction this season takes him. I didn't think that would be his story at all. Not in a sort of like um I mean I didn't really necessarily have a clear idea of what his story would be, but it's very surprising. I think and I think I think what I really enjoy about it in terms of creating uh playing a character like that is that if you play a character for long enough you get to

do things which is where the exciting bits which is when people act out of character. Yeah. I think there are quite a few moments in this season where Benedict is something which we would consider to be completely out of character and that's really fun to play for a start because it's fun to play a surprise and like feel people be like what and sort of like blindside them a bit but also I think it's interesting because um yeah just those moments when you when you act out of character are the most interesting moments and I

feel like we >> in in in um in fiction we I like to think that the that characters are sort of perfectly psychologically consistent and actually you're like no they're inconsistent like like we are like the contradiction is where the interesting stuff is right. It's >> and so getting to sort of >> Yeah. And you know it's that classic thing of uh you hear about actors you know in whatever situation or context saying oh my character wouldn't do that. And you know, I understand the context for that and I understand how that thought can pop

into your head. But often as an actor, I think it's much more useful to sort of think, okay, so how am I how does he do that? Rather than like, oh, he wouldn't do that. You're like, okay, >> okay, maybe I didn't know him as well as I thought I knew him, you know? I I think that there's this myth of like, oh, you know everything about a character, but >> you can't. You can't know any you can't know everything about anything, >> right? you know, and so actually it's really exciting to I think the

reason why I'm really fond of the character is that somewhere I sort of feel like I'll never quite get to the bottom of it. >> Do you know what I mean? >> That keeps it fun and juicy and Yeah. Right. For as much as you know about him, there's still things you're still trying to learn and understand, which yeah, that's that's the human experience. That's what's so fun. Do you think >> Well, let me put it this way. because you know him so well. What would it be a modern day job you think he would

have besides painter or artist? Those are not acceptable. Give me something else. >> Interesting. I think it would be something I think he'd like to >> Can I have musician? Is that fair? >> No. >> No, I can't. I'm not allowed. >> Um adjacent. Yeah. Um I feel like it would be something I don't know why like waiter is popping into [laughter] my head. >> Okay. I don't know why. I think there's something about the sort of um the lightness. There's a lightness to that job. You know, you're sort of like you give someone that

experience and then it's on to the next person. [clears throat] >> I and I think that is what he's >> like a little bit. Then there you go. Waiter. Didn't know that, but that's what I'm saying. >> All right. I like that. Yeah, that could be a great spin-off. >> Yeah, he'd be very good. He'd be a very good waiter though, as in like, you know, >> very professional. >> Very professional and very good at um you know, the whole etiquette of it. Yeah, >> that could be really interesting. [laughter] That could be a good

That could be good. I'm here for it. I'm really here for it. I I think that the romance genre is having a moment, right? So, for you, does romance require something different than other genres? A more of a vulnerability, more of a side to yourself that you have to show that you don't show in other genres. Um I think like with any genre I think the tricky bits is um making the codes of the of the genre which feel sort of like you know imposed from on high as in like you know like if you're

>> uh I mean I can't really think of an example but you know like there are certain expectations of what romance is and how romance works and it's about honoring those expectations but also filling them in as far as they fit the character. I think what's you know so The the interesting thing I think is like taking a character like Benedict is that he's sort of um I was I was very keen to see like how is he a romantic hero >> because he's someone who so far we've seen very comfortable with the periphery but

how is how is it you know how are we going to hit all the marks that romance need to deliver but let them feel also very specific and not generic I think if that makes sense. So, it's more Yeah, it's more that it's just taking whatever those codes are and making sure that they're hit, but also that they're filled with individuality and originality within that that makes sense of the character as well and like how he would do that rather than, oh, this is the bit where I have to take my top off and this

is the bit where I have to do this sex scene and this is the bit where I have to, you know, so it's sort of like it's not denying those things, but it's filling them, >> you know, with something individual Well, that feels right for Yeah. for for that for that character. >> Is there a a scene or a moment in this part or even the next part that you can think of that you believe fans are going to lose their minds over [laughter] with your character. >> Oh god. I mean, you never know, do

you? You never know what they're going to latch on to. Um, maybe the lake scene's very charming. I think there's something about the lake scene that I also like it was so beautiful that day. It's such a beautifully filmed scene and it's again it's actually a very good example of that, you know, like um you know, someone taking a swim in a lake like that's that is a sort of like such a romance trope somehow like you know everyone's seen Pride and Prejudice and all of that. Um, so it's that perfect thing that Bridget Dinner,

I think, does so well, which is to bring that trope in, but also to, you know, make it feel specific and personal. And I I think I, yeah, they have lots of conversations about water, funny enough, but addicted to Sophie and stuff. And it's quite appropriate that there's there's lakes and there's later on maybe some water in different form, which I can't talk about. Um, but yeah. Yeah, I think maybe the lake scene. It's also it's in the book, Do you know? It's one of those ones that like is in the book. And >> you

know, I mean, Pride and Prejudice was a few years ago now, so the new generation need um need another one. >> Yeah. Yeah. Do you feel the romance when you're doing it or is it just so technical? You're like, "It's a Does it feel romantic?" Like, were you like this is this is romantic? >> It's freezing. >> Yeah. But it is. Yeah. Yeah. I think you do. You do. you you're sort of con it I mean I the the scene I actually thought when you said that was the the first scene they meet like you

know that sort of like love at first sight trope. It's wonderful to be able to play that because when does that happen in real life you know like and it's it's it's quite a particular thing um that sort of like that premonition of meeting someone. So of course you get swep I mean that's your job your job is to get swept up in in it actually you know there's obviously there's a whole technical side but it it's It's both, you know, you're the part I think the the job is best expressed, I think, as something

that like you >> it's incredibly technical and it's how many technical >> bars can be put in your way and still you can >> um get swept up in it. >> Yeah. >> You know, I think that's that's the challenge of acting on screen, I think, because it's so technical >> and people really expect that romance with Bridgetgerton, right? It's become known to be the show with such extreme passion and sexiness and just ferocious intensity. So as an actor, how do you form that with your co-star besides intimacy coordinators and the technical side which is

very important, but how do you build that with your co-star? >> I don't want to sound glib, but you just do scene after scene after scene after scene and something builds. like I I don't it's not something I'm not very methodical and I don't necessarily believe that if we had done loads of exercises, [laughter] you know, for example, that would have necessarily have helped. I think the problem Yeah. That's often the challenge with acting, I think, is like how do you get the how do you get because I I remember like being at drama school

and doing lots of exercises and feeling like they were very exciting and emotional and like you felt like you sort of like had like all this emotion but it if it was like an improvisation say and then you did the scene and you're like oh it didn't feel the same with the actual words from the play and it's like the challenge is like how do you get that intensity into this bit and I I feel like you same like with exercises is I feel like they they can create a bit of intensity, but then it's

very difficult to then pour that into the words and the scene. It's like you're sort of left being like, "Okay, I've got this emotion here and I've got the actual words here and I can't marry them." I think the only way you marry them is you just say the words again and again and again and you run them again and again and stuff starts happening. I don't I don't think it's any more um work than that. I I I genuinely think like me and Yaren just um just went on a little adventure together. So, you're

not like, "Hey, Erin, let's go for coffee and tell each other our deepest, darkest secrets before we film." >> No, it would be odd to do. I personally feel that would be an odd thing to do officially. Like, I think yes, obviously, as a byproduct, while we're um, you know, filming the show, obviously, we do get to know each other and there is obviously this fascinating like parallel story that happens between two actors as they're going, you know, as they're sort of obviously getting to know each other because they spend their time together. But I

don't know if that always is necessary to, you know, it's like um there's this I I can't remember if it is in maybe it's too complicated to explain. There's like um there's an English comedian called Spike John. Is No, not Spike John. Spike Lee. No, Spike. Oh, [ __ ] It's one of those. >> Spike. >> I wish I could help you here. Spike. Anyone? Spike. >> Spike. >> No. Spike. It's Spike Milligan. Spike Milligan did this whole thing where it's like I think it was like I I can't this is a very distant memory,

but there's something about like having like a a sock filled with custard and like the noise that that makes and then someone getting a sock filled with custard and being and doing it. And then he's like no that's not the noise. I want the noise of a sock and custard and that's not the same as a sock filled with custard. And I think similarly I think >> chemistry in real life doesn't necessar it doesn't doesn't work like that. like sometimes, you know, I when I did a play, I did um A Little Life um >>

with with James Norton. I mean, I feel like we and I don't think like not not through um you know, ju just because of the intensity of the actual play. It really did sort of like we didn't do that much talking or discussing around it. And I actually think sometimes the talking and the discussing destroys it. I think the magic about two actors doing a scene together is that you don't tell each other what you're going to do and you don't tell each other what you think and you're not trying to artificially create something. You

hold stuff back. You and and also you live in this weird bubble, you know, and it I guess all I'm saying is that chemistry in real life is a lovely bonus. Like it's lovely that I get on with Yan and I do get on with Yaron, but it's not a prerequisite to having chemistry on in in imagined circumstances. And that's what's so great about acting, >> you know, is that you know, you don't you're not limited by your experience. You can go out there and not and you find something completely different in this sort of

like fantasy bubble, right, >> that you couldn't even necessarily find in life. Well, however you guys have formed your chemistry, it's working because the small amount of clips that have been released prior to the season dropping Yeah. has made the internet >> go on fire. [laughter] Like they they are like, "Oh my god, their looks, their chemistry, the emotional vulnerability." Like it is people are ready. Like and and I think there's such a resurgence in the romance genre too. like for for many years I don't think it was taken as seriously prior to the pandemic

and you know years before and then it started becoming more desired and people started craving it and wanting it right and we're seeing this now with so many other shows why do you think people >> just want it and crave it >> um I think it's funny I feel like um Shakespeare plays get that treatment everyone talks about like the serious tragedies and the comedies are seen as just a bit more lightweight that's just because they're romantic comedies and they deal about deal with love and you're like love is just as profound and probably more

universal than murder and all the things that happen in the tragedies but for some reason we sort of there's something about it maybe it's misogyny partly I think people sort of see it as like oh that's not serious that's emotions and uh we want to do you know stuff that's meaningful is about conflict and war and all that kind of stuff I don't know so I I don't maybe there is an element of misogyny that actually because actually I always find that with Shakespeare Shakespeare plays it's interesting that I always I'm like there are loads

of amazing female parts. It's just that a lot of them are in the romantic comedies and they're not necessarily taken as seriously. But there it's such a I mean it's such a serious subject like that and it's so much more universal. The one thing that people think about is that's important in life you could argue is like love and falling in love. So I think we're desperate for stories that explore that and and unashamedly explore that as well. I think like I think I can often feel or I maybe I used to feel that maybe

sort of felt like that genre was a bit silly or sentimental or light and I love that I'm in a show that's proven that actually it it has I mean there's it has huge weight like Bridgeten has such weight and it's so present in the culture and I I'm like yeah it proves the point that actually people are desperate for that and maybe have always been and it's just really good that finally people are honoring that thirst that people have for it. >> I don't know many other shows that when a season drops it is

the only thing I see. Yeah. >> Everywhere. I really don't. I mean Bridgetish every season it's time and time again. It's everywhere when when this comes out. And um I don't know. I can't think of I guess another heated rivalry maybe is the other one. But like >> these two shows are what people talk about >> time and time again. Yeah. And I think it's because of everything you just said. It's such a desired story that people now take so seriously and want. >> And also there's I think there's something in the heart of it's

true of any genre, but I think it's particularly true of romance. It's the escapism of it. It's the you know I think the world is not a it's quite a complicated place and stressful place to be in at the moment. >> Um however you are positioning yourself in relation to it. And so you know people want just you know, they also they want to live a little bit in dreamland as well and and and talk about things that actually um that make us feel warm and connected and that is romance in a nutshell, right? >>

Yeah. >> Yeah. >> 100%. You know, it's funny. I'm sitting here smiling because I keep referencing how this is everywhere and I've seen you all over my timelines and you giving your looks to your co-star and all of it, but you don't see any of it because you're not on social media. >> I don't. No. >> So, you see nothing. >> No. Well, well, well, sometimes people show me. >> Do you have a burner account? >> No. >> Uh, interesting. Okay, I'm gonna leave that one right there and [laughter] we can we can interpret that

as we please. But um but I think that's really interesting to be leading a new season of the show very much reliant on social media and you're not an active participant on it. Is that something you've you've ch you've chosen earlier in your career? Have you felt pressure to do the social media? >> Never pressure. I've I've been I've been lucky in that I feel like um if if I if I was going to use social media as as a way to sort of you know get get ahead or like you know get you know

get I don't know how that would necessarily work but you know but I'm was lucky that I was in the show I'm in this show and that um this show has huge reach and so I don't you know in a certain way part of me feel sometimes I don't have to do it. >> So, there's that element, but then I also think um [sighs] I I don't I I I feel like acting is such a game for me anyway of what you choose to reveal and what you choose to hide. And I think maybe not

enough emphasis is put on the hide bit because I think people sort of see that as sort of maybe um suspicious or something. But actually, I just think I have no interest in being a real person to anyone else than the actual real people in my life. >> And I just think and you know, to be fair, like social media, some of it is performance as well. Like it's not necessarily real as in it's not necessarily like, you know, people being real. But I just yeah, there's that element I think that I just want to

I have no interest really in in in in people seeing me as in the real me, whatever that is. And then alongside that, I think part of me can't help hating those platforms a little bit, which is tricky because, you know, I'm sure they bring lots of there's lots of positive they brought to to things, but I, you know, they put take a sledgehammer to people's attention spans. I know that's sort of like an obvious thing to say, but it's true. And uh I even like just with my phone like I I I struggle to

read a book now on occasion and I struggle to do anything with that. It's like having like a very sort of needy presence that's always demanding your attention. This screen that's demanding your attention and I don't think I I I think it wipes I think all sorts of things. I think it wipes your memory. I actually think like I have noticed that if I have if I'm in a position where I'm having like a if there's something interesting or difficult for me to think about in my life, that's the moment when I pick up my

phone. And what my phone does is it it's like take it's like having a dummy. It like just wipes your brain and you're like, "Yeah, you don't have to think about any of that." And you can spend your whole life doing that. And I'm scared of that. >> And so all I'm saying is >> it's not about those platforms per se. Maybe I think it's more like I'm trying to regulate how I interact with thising screen. >> Yeah. >> And so if I had a social media account of any kind, like I'd have to it

it would be another thing to sort of like keep tabs on and and the technology that technology is so powerful. I don't think I'd be strong enough to um to sort of resist it. I'd be on it all the time and I don't want I can't Well, I don't want to do that. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But it really isn't sort of like, you know, I I I know that it's because I'm susceptible to it. It's not because I think it's crap. It's that I think it's too powerful. >> Yeah. Well, it's it's a really

cool thing to know, hey, this won't be good for me. No. >> In any sense of what it does, so I'm just not going to do it. I mean, I think it takes a strong person to set that boundary in the world we live in. It's not easy. You know, it so much is reliant on it. It feels It feels No, whether that's true or not, it feels right. So, >> I think that's really interesting. Um, if I see some sort of account called LT45_, I might be suspicious. >> I said no. [laughter] >> Okay.

Okay. Fair enough. Fair enough. Luke, as we wrap up, um, and it's I hate saying that because I feel like I have three more hours of stuff to talk to you about, but as we wrap up, the show is called I've never said this before. >> And I cover a lot of red carpets um, and junkets, which you're no stranger to. And you know, you get three minutes with somebody or four minutes. It's so quick. It's very sound bite driven. You get asked a lot of the same questions because every outlet wants the same thing,

right? And I walked away one day being like, I'm very grateful for that work, but I'm just not totally fulfilled. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um, so when this opportunity came up, I said, "Oh my god, I create a long form show where I can really talk to people >> is great, but I want them to feel like they have a platform to say something they don't always get to say. Whatever it means to them. It's not about revealing a deep dark secret unless somebody wants to, but it's just about like, hey, I've done 8,000 interviews

>> and I never have gotten to say this and I just want to say it. So, is there something you've never said before that you want to say today? >> I'm really scared that you're going to think mine's a cheat. >> Uh, oh, why? genuinely when people, you know, because I I heard what you said earlier about the um you know, red carpets thing, red carpets thing of like, you know, that thing that you can see in people's eyes sometimes when you're asking them questions. I would love to say nothing. I genuinely like the the

the the I and I understand the interest and I appreciate the question. It's not it's not that I'm saying, "Oh, I hate being questioned." I would just love to say nothing. I think um there are so we're very good at talking a lot a lot a lot and I um and and and I you know I'm actually really you know even doing this press tour like you know it is a lot of sound bites and it's a lot of talking talking talking I'm very grateful for it and it there's huge pleasure and to be found

and like people work so hard to make it work and like I love it but I think sometimes I wish if I was I don't know if I was a younger actor I' I'd feel a pressure I think to be um to sort of reveal everything you know and to and to talk and to talk and to talk and to sort of give everything away partly through a fear of like oh I must be honest I must be authentic and I must be real and like if I'm hiding stuff am I being you know am

I being ky or whatever and I' I'd like to yeah just make I don't know. I I think I'd I'd love someone to say to me, you don't have to actually. And there's actually really good time. There's timing for saying things as well. Like I think you people sort of think, think, think, think, think, think, think, think, think, think, oh, I must say, I must reveal everything about myself now. And look, hey, that's the other thing. It works for some actors, you know, some actors really like people to know who they are. And all power

to them. I think that's, you know, that's incredible in its own right. Um, but I think a bit I like to make the case for, you know, it's actually good to hold stuff back. And that's not to be secretive and it's not to dismiss interest or to sort of say, I wish people would leave me alone. It's actually like it's lovely to just I' I'd love on the red carpet if someone asked me a question, I just got to just say [laughter] >> nothing. Don't know. I just think like >> Yeah, that's that's my honest

answer. >> Yeah, >> I think Yeah, >> I think that's that's interesting. You're you're it's interesting because you're somebody who we've spoken now for I don't know almost an hour and >> you've been so engaging and such a participant >> but in the ways that make you feel good right and like that you want to be >> it's choosing. I think that's what it is. I just think that I know that had if if this had happened all this Bridget and stuff when I was I don't know 18 or 19 um I would have felt

huge pressure and and just external pressure not just from people like advising me but just pressure to give away everything and I think I've had s I've had the privilege of having time to think about how acting works for me and how my sweet spot is as I say is absolutely like welcoming the interest and like enjoying the interest, >> but also choosing when to say something and choosing when to shut the [ __ ] up. >> Yeah. >> And I I I do I I just think if people did a bit more listening and

maybe even just a bit more sort of just I'm going to think about that >> rather than just blurting it all out. Um both in terms of actors and as human beings, I think like I think um yeah, I'm a big fan of that. So, if I see you on a carpet, I'm gonna let you come up to me. >> We could do it. >> And we're just gonna we're just going to look at each other for two minutes and not say a word. >> You get to ask me a question. You have to ask

me the question. This is thing. I'm not I'm not rejecting the question. >> You just >> Yeah. And then we just sit with it. >> Great. I mean, I might be fired from my other job, but it'll [laughter] be great. It'll be great. It will be worth it. >> I can't wait. It's going to be such a moment. >> Luke, thank you for hanging out. Congratulations on on Bridgetgerton and all the success. It's like I said earlier, it's your time and I'm very excited for you because >> you bring such a depth to the work

that you do that I think the world is ready for this season >> and I'm very excited for you and to see where the journey's going to go. >> Me too. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you so much for hanging. Thank you.