Richard Armitage Unleashes His Dark Side

Joe Marler Will See You Now

Richard Armitage joins Joe Marler and Jake Bhardwaj for an unscripted session exploring the psychology behind his career-defining villain roles. The conversation delves into his acting process, including

Key takeaways

• Armitage reveals he listens to terrifying, horror-themed music while in the makeup chair to mentally prepare for villainous roles like the Tooth Fairy and Hannibal.
• He credits Sandra Bullock with teaching him a crucial acting technique: giggling to herself before every take to create a 'sparkle' and genuine joy in his eyes.

Main topics

• Acting methodology and psychological preparation
• Playing villains and exploring the 'dark side'

Notable quotes

"Evil people don't know they're evil or that they're doing evil things. They're just doing the things that they want to do."

Conclusion

Listeners gain a nuanced look at how disciplined craft, psychological empa

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) Not long now. Speaker 2 (0:02) You can't want to clock off already. No. You've just got it, mate. Unbelievable. That is ridiculous. I'm ready for Speaker 1 (0:09) work. I've got my suit on, tie up to my neck. Speaker 2 (0:12) Not long now for the tour. Oh yeah, how are you feeling about it? Because you've been sketching Speaker 1 (0:17) out. Don't say that. They're filming this bit. I know, but... Speaker 2 (0:21) I Speaker 1 (0:21) don't Speaker 2 (0:21) want Speaker 1 (0:21) people knowing or thinking, sorry, that I've been sketching out as well. You've got Speaker 2 (0:24) this thing, you're like, oh, we need to rehearse. No, don't Speaker 1 (0:27) say that as well. These are all the things I'm scared of, is that people will think it's not as smooth and easy as the edit makes it look. Because without the edit, it's all over the shop. Yeah, but I think there's Speaker 2 (0:42) a Speaker 1 (0:42) lot... We're Speaker 2 (0:42) going Speaker 1 (0:42) to be exposed on that stage in front of Speaker 2 (0:44) 2,000 people. Two and Speaker 1 (0:46) a Speaker 2 (0:46) half thousand Speaker 1 (0:46) in some places. Speaker 2 (0:48) There'll be none of that on stage, thank you. None of what? You keep that in... It's where it's meant to be. You're Speaker 1 (0:53) not Speaker 2 (0:53) exposing anything. I think from that far away they won't see much anyway. We'll have time to rehearse. There's a couple of hours before... I don't want to rehearse. Speaker 1 (1:01) If you're listening or watching this, we're not rehearsing. It's not a rehearsed podcast. I just want to know... Where are we going? What are we talking about? Where Speaker 2 (1:09) are Speaker 1 (1:09) we going? Okay. We've got Northampton, we've got Bristol, we've got London. Speaker 2 (1:13) Yeah. I've never been to Northampton, by the way. You've never been? No. Speaker 1 (1:17) It's quite a rugby town, isn't it? Very rugby. So you've been a lot? The Speaker 2 (1:21) Shoe Army. Oh, right. I think Northampton's quite famous for cobblers. What a load of Speaker 1 (1:26) old cobblers. Speaker 2 (1:27) Oh, what does that cobblers mean, actually? That would be good to know before going. Meaning of what a load of old... We could probably put that into the rehearsal or something. Speaker 1 (1:38) Cobblers' awls rhymes with balls and balls means rubbish. So it's nothing to do with Northampton. Because you know what I mean? I'd hate to be on tour and end up doing that shit. Yeah, fair enough. That would be a terrifying situation. To me, that's gold. That's my worry. We've got Speaker 2 (1:56) Brighton as well. So that's easy for me. I'll just pop over last minute, say hello to everyone and leave. Speaker 1 (2:01) I'll stay with you as well. Speaker 1 (2:05) What? You've gone silent. I could stay with you. Speaker 1 (2:09) Why? Because we're friends and we're going to be working together. I need to stay somewhere near Brighton anyway for the night. Go on, let me stay with you. I'd love to know what... I think that's proper friendship, isn't it? Where you've stayed at each other's houses. Imagine the point. We've had a poo in each other's toilets. We've slept in each other's beds. We've eaten from each other's cutlery. I've helped you unload the dishwasher. That's all right, Joe. I'll help that. I'm staying over. I can help out just because I'm a guest. All of that stuff, I think, brings you together. We can finally meet Daisy. As well? Yeah, that'd be nice. Speaker 2 (2:40) Maybe she'd come to the show. She'll come to the show, won't she? Maybe. Maybe. Speaker 1 (2:44) Tell you what she won't do, follow me back on Instagram, Daisy, will you? You won't follow me back on Instagram. Fuck, you won't do that, will you? Is that legit? Yeah, yeah. I mean, last time I checked anyway. I'm trying not to check every day, but when Speaker 2 (2:57) I Speaker 1 (2:59) did follow her, I did sort of think, oh, maybe she's following me back. Let's see, Daisy... Speaker 1 (3:06) Where are you going? Speaker 1 (3:09) Oh, she's followed me. She's followed back. Has she? Yeah, yeah, yeah. She's followed back. She was going to get right talking to you. No, no, she's followed back. You're lucky you are. Yeah, I'll have a good look at that Instagram page later, I guess. Speaker 2 (3:22) Why have you said it like that? Why have Speaker 1 (3:25) you Speaker 2 (3:25) said it like that, mate? It's mainly family stuff, buddy. Yeah, I'll have a look at your family on Instagram. Speaker 1 (3:32) Okay. Speaker 1 (3:34) That's what you would do, isn't it? Yeah, but the way you did it where you were like, over a laptop like Speaker 2 (3:39) this, Speaker 1 (3:40) oh, yeah, she's following me back. Oh, I'll have a look at that account Speaker 2 (3:43) later. I'll have a look at it. I'll have a look at it. All jokes aside, as long as you sort of... Row back a little bit on the creepy typey chat. I'll let you stay at mine. All right. In a tent. All right. On the drive. I could Speaker 1 (4:00) always stay in the caravan. Speaker 2 (4:01) No. Speaker 1 (4:02) You can stay next to the caravan. Speaker 2 (4:04) In fact, Speaker 1 (4:05) you can stay Speaker 2 (4:06) in the shed. Speaker 1 (4:08) Is it like... It's like a nice shed, like an office shed. Yeah, it's a shed that you've sort of pimped out a bit. Yeah, and Speaker 2 (4:12) you've got your own sauna, you've got your own ice tub next to it. Wow, yeah, I'd love that. Come round for a spa. I'll put a little fire up. Yeah, okay. Mate, fill your boots. You come with me. I'll look after you. Oi, don't you worry. I'll look after you, mate. Speaker 1 (4:24) Yeah, now you've gone creepy. Don't you worry. You come over, boy. I'll look after you, boy. Don't Speaker 2 (4:28) you worry, Speaker 1 (4:28) mate. Oi. I'll look after you. Oi, Speaker 3 (4:30) oi, oi, oi, oi, oi. Speaker 1 (4:34) So I was thinking, we always sort of say, I don't want to get in just lazy habits. Always go, I'm very excited for the next guest, very excited for the next guest. Let's be measured and really think about the emotion you're feeling towards the next guest. You know what I mean? Rather than just, oh, I'm very excited, I'm very excited. For me, I'm excited to learn about the craft of acting from the next guest. I'm excited to explore what it is to... have both a light and a dark side of human nature with our next guest. I'm excited to... Speaker 1 (5:10) dissect what it is to be a on-screen villain. I, Jake, you have me. Yeah? Speaker 2 (5:17) You have me. I am very well equipped and embraced with such joy and quivering endeavour to learn from the next guest in the chair. and have the dichotomy to understand what it takes to be the very best of the best. Speaker 1 (5:37) Just chuck in all the words and phrases you've learnt recently. All in one. Okay, Speaker 2 (5:40) whilst I'm there, I will say aqueduct. Speaker 1 (5:46) He is an actor. He is a writer. He's a producer. It is Richard Armitage. Richard Armitage. Proper, proper acting royalty. Mate, he is a big wig actor. He's been in all of it. The Hobbit, Spooks, Hannibal, all those Harlan Coben dramas. Yeah, and not just like walk-on parts. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Speaker 2 (6:05) Not like Tracy Speaker 1 (6:05) at the bar. He is the guy. If you want a villain in a high-profile production, you find this man, you put him in your show. Mate, I want a villain in the office. Speaker 1 (6:15) You want a villain in the office? You're going to get a villain in the office. I think it's time to pick up the phone, ring up your own sort of villainous assistant, Janet, and bring in Richard Armitage. Shall I do it in a villain voice? I don't see why not. What voice was that? That was agreeable side character. I don't see why not. Speaker 2 (6:37) Janet. Please, would you let Richard Armitage Speaker 1 (6:42) through the door? Speaker 1 (6:45) Now. Interesting. I wouldn't have... That's not what I would have done for villain. Goodbye. What's your villain one then? I would have gone... Speaker 1 (6:54) Hello, Janet. Speaker 1 (6:57) Pleased to hear from me, are you? Yes, I know it's been some time, but I've got a surprise for you. But what have you got for me? Speaker 1 (7:05) Just as I thought. Sitting there, is he? Waiting. Time keeps ticking and he can keep waiting. That won't change anything. His thoughts in the matter needn't matter. Send in Richard Armitage. Now. Speaker 1 (7:21) So out of them. Fucking hell, Jake. Speaker 2 (7:30) That was so good. Honestly, what the crap to do that? Speaker 1 (7:35) That was so good. Thank you. Speaker 1 (7:38) Proud of you. Thank you. Speaker 2 (7:44) You had me. I was like, you fucking psycho. Speaker 2 (7:49) Hello, Janet. Speaker 1 (7:54) Shall I Speaker 2 (7:56) try it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speaker 2 (7:59) Hello, Janet. Speaker 2 (8:04) Please don't shout at me. Speaker 2 (8:08) I'm the boss. Boss, boss. Speaker 2 (8:13) just let Speaker 1 (8:15) Richard Speaker 2 (8:15) Armitage in please let him in Speaker 1 (8:16) I Speaker 2 (8:17) can't do it ok goodbye Speaker 2 (8:21) Richard Armitage, everybody! Speaker 3 (8:25) Am I supposed to be in character? You're supposed to be in character. Speaker 2 (8:29) Character? Yeah. I liked your telephone acting. Speaker 2 (8:34) That's a great opening. You met Janet? I Speaker 3 (8:36) did. I did. She's lovely. Yeah. Was I supposed to take those meds that she gave me? Because I Speaker 2 (8:42) took all of them. I wasn't sure how many. This is mental. I spoke to her about the meth that was going on. Speaker 1 (8:48) Yeah. And Speaker 2 (8:48) I told her to stop it. And now she's obviously gone down the prescription route. Speaker 3 (8:52) They're good. They're kicking in now. It's nice. Speaker 2 (8:57) This is Jake, my researcher. Hello. What Speaker 1 (9:00) an honour to meet you. Speaker 2 (9:01) Nice suit. Speaker 1 (9:02) Thank you very much. Very Speaker 2 (9:03) nice. Speaker 1 (9:03) You know, I don't often get compliments on the suit. I think when I'm sat down, I look very Asian Mr. Bean, but when you stand up, you see the cut of it. And what changes? Speaker 2 (9:14) I Speaker 1 (9:14) don't know, actually, not much. Mr. Bean standing up. Speaker 2 (9:17) Before we begin, I like to examine the mind of every client's patient, guest, with an intake questionnaire to maybe work out what it is I can help you with today. Thank you. Would you like to begin the intake questionnaire? How much does it cost? It may cost you some dignity. Okay. And almost certainly your integrity, but... That's what I'm here for. Okay. Full Speaker 3 (9:39) name? Richard Crispin Armitage. Your middle name's Crispin? It is. Yeah, my parents were very working class, but they liked a fancy middle name. That Speaker 2 (9:50) is quite a unique middle name. What's your preferred name then? Speaker 3 (9:55) Richard Armitage. Any nicknames? Armo. Armo? That's the school nickname, Armo. Speaker 2 (10:02) Armo? Speaker 3 (10:02) Yeah. I inherited it from my brother, though. Yeah. He had the same surname? Yeah. Funny that, isn't it? Speaker 3 (10:11) Not one of the questions Speaker 2 (10:12) that I wanted. Star-Side. Leo. Oh, he's a tiger. No, he's a lion. Hairy. No. You've got a lovely beard. Have I? Yeah, really well kept and manicured. As far as beards go. Speaker 1 (10:28) Neanderthal. We can do beards. You've both got beautiful beards. I'm sort of playing catch up here. Speaker 2 (10:34) I'd love to see you with a little bit more girth to your beard. Girth to my beard? I mean depth. Occupation? Actor, writer, producer. Can I have three? Hey, this is your intake