Peter Capaldi- Actor of the Week

Peter Capaldi as the new and very well dressed Dr. Who

Peter Capaldi is getting lots of attention lately as the new Dr. Who. But many of us have known about this fabulous actor for years now. First, I have to point out his wonderful recurring role in The Vicar of Dibley as Tristan Campbell, a love interest for our lady Vicar.

Peter Capaldi with Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley

Not only does he feature as the handsome floppy haired producer in the Songs of Praise episode, he comes back in another episode to ask Geraldine to marry him! Heart stopping, until it is revealed that...(spoiler removed- go and seek out this episode now!)

Peter Capaldi with Lindsay Duncan in The History of Tom Jones

If there has ever been any doubt about Peter Capaldi as a comic actor, one only has to point to his very camp portrayal of the effete Lord Fellamar in The History of Tom Jones. His final scene after a run in with a pistol puts a smile on my face just thinking about it. Bravo!

In Dangerous Liaisons from 1988

Peter has been time travelling for decades via various costume dramas such as Dangerous Liaisons. Here he is Azolan, the valet of the Vicomte de Valmont.

Peter Capaldi as Samuel Kent in The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

I would say he looks mighty fine in a top hat here in the dramatization of a true crime story The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: The Murder at Road Hill House. I haven't seen this 95 minute television special from 2011 based on a Scotland Yard investigation in Victorian London. Can anyone recommend this? It looks good!

As Caecilius in Dr. Who The Fires of Pompeii

And Peter Capaldi has even done a bit of Dr. Who work already, in the episode entitled The Fires of Pompeii from 2008.

As Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC series The Musketeers

Peter is very scary looking as Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC series The Musketeers. He certainly can do evil and severe can't he? Anyone seen this? I am embarrassed to say I haven't been able to check this one out but Peter would be a great reason to tune in!

Peter Capaldi with Nicole Kidman in Paddington 

Although we no longer have Colin Firth as the voice of Paddington Bear in the new Paddington film, we have Ben Whishaw as our favourite bear's voice and Peter Capaldi as the bad-tempered and penny pinching Mr. Curry. I hope this one turns out well. Hard to say at this point but fingers crossed!

So hurrah for the new Dr. Who and please leave a comment with your fave Peter Capaldi role below. He has been in so many great film and TV roles, I could only feature a few.

Cheers!

Hugh Bonneville- Actor of the Week

Hugh Bonneville- Downton Abbey

Hugh Bonneville has been in so many period pieces that I had trouble narrowing down the photo choices for this post. Of course his most recent role of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey is giving him a lot of exposure at present but he has worn 19th century garb for a good part of his career!

Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park

He totally cracked me up as the dim witted Mr. Rushworth in Mansfield Park 1999. I mean, get a load of that hair!

Hugh Bonneville as Bernie in Notting Hill

And who didn't love him as Bernie the worst stockbroker ever in Notting Hill? The dinner party scene where he doesn't recognize famous movie star Anna Scott is priceless. (OK, I know it's not period but doesn't the late 90s count now?)

Bernie: What's the pay like in movies? I mean. Last movie. How much did you get paid?
Anna Scott: 15 million dollars.

**********************************************************************************

Bernie: I'm sorry I am so late. Bollocksed up at work again, I fear. Millions down the drain. 

Hugh Bonneville in The Cazalets

I wish I could say that I had seen Hugh in the 1940s miniseries The Cazalets, but it is still on my wish list. Anyone with a recommendation?

Hugh Bonneville in Daniel Deronda

As Henleigh Grandcourt in Daniel Deronda, Hugh Bonneville is delightfully bad for a change. For anyone who has never seen this one, you are in for a treat. Hugh is amazing as a bad boy and the rest of the film is riveting. The dresses on Romola Garai are pretty fab too and Hugh Dancy is always easy on the eyes. All in all this one is a must see.

Hugh Bonneville as the Prince Regent in Beau Brummell: This Charming Man

From the sublime back to the ridiculous, here he is as the poncy Prince Regent in Beau Brummell. I really liked this film which I only saw recently. Hugh gives us a fascinating glimpse at the insecurities of the man that the Regency Period was named after.

Hugh Bonneville as Rev. Brook Bridges in Miss Austen Regrets

As a poor vicar in Miss Austen Regrets, he gives a tender portrayal of a man still in love with Jane Austen years after he had married another woman. So sweet!

Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Bennet in Lost in Austen

Still stuck in the Regency era, here is Hugh as the wonderful Mr. Bennet in Lost in Austen. He looked like he had a riot with this Jane Austen time travel piece.

And as a bit of fun, here is Hugh Bonneville in the Grand Finale episode of The Vicar of Dibley as Vicar Jeremy Ogilvy who is marrying Geraldine and Harry (Richard Armitage) but who apparently still has a crush on his old classmate Geraldine. So cute! (and I can always find a way to get a bit of Richard Armitage on my blog)

Richard Armitage- Actor of the Week

Richard Armitage as Mr. John Thornton from North & South

Richard Armitage. Two words which can set the entire period drama community swooning. OK, yours truly is swooning...anyone else here with me? This man's voice is like melted butter. Yum!

Richard Armitage and Mr. Thornton are to the new millennium what Colin Firth and Mr. Darcy were to the 1990s. Be still my beating heart! If for some reason you haven't seen the amazing adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's classic Victorian novel North and South from 2004 you are in for a real treat. If you love it already, maybe you are due to watch it again (or at least watch the brilliant final scene on YouTube!). By the way, this is not the American Civil War saga from the 1980s. The reference is to the industrial North and the agricultural South of England.

Richard Armitage as Harry Kennedy from The Vicar of Dibley

When Dawn French as the Vicar of Dibley had to find herself a love interest for the Christmas/New Years special of 2006/2007 she knew who to ask for. And he is such a good sport that he jumped at it.  Wouldn't you love this adorable accountant to move in down the street? If you have never seen The Vicar of Dibley, make sure you watch some older episodes before you watch the one above.

Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood

If you like your men a little darker and scruffier than the smiling accountant above, perhaps Guy of Gisborne from the recent BBC Robin Hood series is more your style...

Richard Armitage as Lucas North from Spooks

If dark and dangerous is more your style, then the cool spy Lucas North from the wonderful television series Spooks (known as MI5 in North America) may fit the bill. Armitage had to lose weight and learn Russian for this role. His tattooed bod is quite something, but of course it is the acting we are interested in, right? And the acting is brilliant.

Richard Armitage as baddie Heinz Kruger from Captain America

Hollywood thinks of him as a baddie apparently as seen here in Captain America where he plays the thoroughly evil Heinz Kruger.

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit

And as Dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield (he is a 6'2" Dwarf by the way) he is not exactly looking his usual hunky self. But if it raises his profile in Hollywood, then maybe we get to see more of him!

"You don't need Henry to explain..."

I leave you with a loving glance from John Thornton minus cravat for a change. Mmmmmmm.....Is my bias showing? (Favourite actor!!!)


P.S. Any other roles you particularly liked him in?