Arthur Darvill – Legends of Tomorrow

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I am currently in Vancouver filming “Legends of Tomorrow.” We’re about two-thirds the way through with filming. It’s going great!

Q) Are you enjoying instant fan feedback you have been receiving to the episodes on social media?

A) Yeah, it’s weird. I can’t watch it when it goes out. I get all nervous and self-critical. It’s funny, isn’t it? You used to do a TV show and then you kind of get reviews and your friends message you. Now, you get instantaneous responses. As soon as it is on screen, you get fifty people going, “Whoa,” on social media. I am still getting used to it. I tend not to keep track of it while it is happening, but kind of skim at the end. The responses have been so positive so far that it is quite overwhelming actually. We’re hold up making this show and working hard and it’s sometimes difficult to get an outside perspective. It’s really nice to be able to put it out there for the viewing public and it feels like a big relief. You work hard and want it to be received well. I have got to say the response has been amazing.

Q) How was your character Rip Hunter originally described to you?

A) I didn’t have a script to go on. It was just a handshake and a promise, really, that it was going to work out. I got a little scene to read to get a taste of the character. He got described to me as a bit of a rogue, a man with a lot of secrets and they kind of described him by mentioning people like Han Solo. I think that was to make me do the job. I think they were just appealing to my childhood self. He is someone who is definitely the leader of the group and has a lot of secrets. He is on a quest for revenge, but also for the greater good. I was intrigued by the layers he has, how many secrets he keeps and what the different relationship with the group will be. It’s not one big happy family. There is a lot of conflict there, which is obviously enjoyable for everyone to play.

Q) Well, you did have to con them into joining you.

A) Oh, he’s an absolute liar! The thing is, what I love about him is the morality is so up in the air as far as what Rip is doing. I think as things progress, he starts doubting his own judgement. The big question of what right and wrong is (which comes up in all the best drama, TV, film, theatre, storytelling and life) where is the line between right and wrong and good and evil? If you are a good person, do your actions define who you are? Do your intentions define who you are even if you mess up? All of these big questions are being asked. What I love about this world of the show is that because the stakes are so hard all of those things are exaggerated and brought far more to the surface and into question. I think what people can relate to in small ways in all of our lives we have these questions that we are constantly asking ourselves. This is like a blown up version of that.

Q) He has lost two important people in his life. That’s initially going to blur lines for him because of an emotional reaction. Is he really acting on his feelings or does he truly have intentions to save the future?

A) I think it goes back and forth throughout the series. I like how it progresses throughout the series. It gets to a point where I don’t think he really knows if he is right or wrong. There is a lot of convincing himself. It’s really interesting to be able to play that.

Q) How do the dynamics shift this season with him?

A) I think they go to many different time periods that it obviously has an effect on the past. A lot of mistakes are made. It’s not plain sailing. So, the consequences of what happens comes into question a lot. The dynamics are really hard. As far as Rip is concerned, he always thinks when he started the mission he isn’t getting a group of people together who he thinks will all get along and work together and he’ll be able to lead a big team. He thinks they’ll be able to get the job done and then go their separate ways. He expects it to last an episode and they’ll get it done, end of series. It doesn’t go according to plan. His personality isn’t conducive to being with a large group of people either. He doesn’t suffer fools. He is quite impatient with people. He can be quite sarcastic at times and cutting. He also knows he needs to remain top dog and keep his status. I think that’s a really tough dynamic considering who else he has on the shift and there is a bit of a struggle with who has authority at times. He has been through a lot. What I like he finds out (and the group finds out) more into the series as it goes on that influence of opinion of him and how they view him in terms of the team.

Q) It is quite a large cast. Was there instant chemistry when you all began working together or was there time spent to bond?

A) We were all thrown into this massive experience together and what is lovely about it is that people of all different ages and experiences – everyone has had their own journey to get there. We’re all on this big journey together. It’s quite amazing. Normally when you are in a cast like this, whether it is on stage, a TV show or movie, there is always one or two people who you are like, “I don’t really want to hang out with them.” On this there really isn’t. We’re all respectful of each other because everyone is so different. The nice thing is you never run out of conversation. Two of you will be having a conversation and then there are more people you can turn to and have a chat with. We’re all very excited about making this the best that it can be as well. We do have a lot of fun, yeah.

Q) What scene this season are you most looking forward to seeing a fan reaction from?

A) I am really glad that the two pilot episodes are out of the way. In the next couple of weeks, you really get into the meat of the show. I think the show really grows in those two episodes because you pass the setup. It’s a very huge setup that it goes by so fast. It’s very exciting and action packed. You get glimpses of that chemistry and those relationships. I think in the next couple of episodes that really starts to grow. We go back to the Wild West in the episode we have been shooting. I’m looking forward to people seeing that. Every episode has its moments and it is funny because we’re working on episode eleven. We’re all like, “What happened in episode six or seven,” because we’ve all kind of forgotten and then started going, “Oh that happens!” We all got really excited about what we have already done that it is easy to go forward. Thinking back to what is going to come out on screen in the next couple of weeks is so exciting. The spectacle of the show is amazing, the scale of it is amazing, the effects are brilliant and the questions at the heart of it is really great. The cast is brilliant. What I think keeps people there and really love this show is that dynamic between the characters and how it shifts. I’m excited about people seeing those moments and those relationships grow and change.

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I don’t know. It’s funny because when I think you are doing anything that goes on for this long, the initial episode is written as they see it. I’m very respectful as to what is written, but I think there are a few bits that I have added. I think the writers write to our strengths after a while, after they see what we’re doing. I’m very aware. I don’t know if I want to make him likeable. I definitely want there to be moments of humor in there because I think his story is so dark and they have written some funny lines. But I’m always pushing for some lightness in there because he has such a dark past and a lot of stuff has happened to him. He’s obviously survived that and gotten through it. He has a personality that can deal with that and I think that without the lightness the darkness doesn’t really work. I think to combat his dark past there is some humor to it. I don’t know how much is me or the writing. I have very strong opinions about who this person is and where he has come from. There has been a constant dialogue. I’m always pushing to have the coolest costume. [laughs] I noticed everyone was getting very cool costumes for a certain bit and I stormed into the costume department the other day and said, “Is everyone else getting a cool costume? I need a cool costume as well!” So, I’ve put my foot down as well. [laughs]

Q) What do you think it is about “Legends of Tomorrow” that has captured viewers so quickly?

A) I am so excited about that because I think with a cast this big and a story so huge that I think the set up is quite a delicate thing. It’s quite a tricky thing to get your head around as a viewer, I imagine. I’m so encouraged that it has been such a hit so far. I really, honestly, believe it gets so much better over the next couple of weeks. I’m not saying the pilot was bad. It was brilliant! It’s an amazing piece of work and I’m really proud of it, but I’m so excited for people to see what happens next. There are various things, I suppose. Because of the relationship between those characters and because it looks impressive and poetic, there is no second you are bored or wondering what you’re having for dinner tomorrow. It’s a rip roaring adventure and it has a lot of heart. I think people will be interested because a lot of the characters have been a part of other shows that there is a real interest in how those characters will develop and become big players in this show. There are a lot of surprises for people. I think every character goes on quite a big journey. If I was a teenage boy at this point, I’d be so excited about this show. I have mates my age that are so excited about this. I have people back in England that are demanding my download of the show, which I’m not doing. I’m making them all wait. It feels likes one of those big TV events. I think it is new. I think it is a different side. There are superhero shows and team-up shows, but I think the tone of the show is so unique. I don’t think anything else is quite like it on TV.

Q) You often work in dramatic roles. What continues to draw them to you?

A) I’ve been acting for a long time. I grew up going to the theatre and listening to stories and watching people pour their heart out on the show. I’ve been a fan of adventure films and all of that. I think I like getting in the heads of people who are very different to me. I think nothing beats a good drama to lose yourself in. I think through stories we get to look at ourselves in different ways and you see people make decisions that you would or wouldn’t make.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of your work?

A) It’s kind of weird. I don’t deal well with the idea of having fans I’m very honored. I’m really surprised someone comes up to me in the street and asks for a picture or autograph. The novelty of that hasn’t worn off and I am constantly humbled by that. Thank you and I think people have got a lot of good stuff on the show to look forward to. I’m a big fan of the old horror films, the British old horror films that used to be made. I think episode three has a real hint of that old proper horror genre. I’m really excited for people to see it. I think it will be a real good one.