Jack Fox – Riviera

By starrymag | June 27, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

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

A) There is a show written by Andrew Davies who sort of is of “Les Misérables” fame. He’s a magic writer and he has adapted Jane Austen. She died while writing a book called Sanditon and he has taken those characters and sent them on an adventure. It’s an ITV/PBS masterpiece collaboration. I’ve just done five months of that and it’s been an amazing experience. I went back to back from “Riviera” to that. It has been terrific work-wise and an amazing talented bunch of people to work with.

Q) How was your character Nico Eltham on “Riviera” originally described to you?

A) Sort of mercurially. He has this ability to be charming, but deadly – like all people who are confident with what they have to say. I think Nico has got a bit of charm and he’s quite ruthless. I think in the same way that he values art, he’s someone who can put a price tag on a vase, he can put a price tag on a person. For him, everything is a bargain or deal. He’s an exchanger of things for power. For him, a priceless vase is more valuable than a person.

Q) Was there something you added to him that wasn’t in his initial breakdown?

A) I think the writers did a fantastic job of making him on point and slightly the character that wouldn’t necessarily fit in the particular luxury of the Riviera. He’s very outgoing and very showy, in both cars and big lifestyle. I think with that I think he’s got that. He’s written as sort of not quite fitting in necessarily with society. I wanted to make him fit in perfectly. I wanted him to be someone who would learn the craft with a sociopathic nature. I wanted him to be someone who could fake that emotion like all great sociopaths can.

Q) Were you a fan by chance of the series before working on it this season?

A) I was a huge fan of it! I remember watching it with an ex-girlfriend of mine. I think I remember saying outloud, “I’d love to be in that. It would be such a joy!” And I thought the acting was just terrific. There are standout performances by a lot of people. When I had the opportunity to meet for it, it was very early days. I think I was even the first “Nico” that they met. I think they were like, “Show us what you’ve got. We’re not tied to anything yet.” It was a real privilege to be seen for it and even more so to be cast in it. It was really a dream!

Q) What did you find challenging about portraying Nico?

A) I think making villains likeable is a thing which all great and talented actors manage to do in performances that are sort of seminal. I wanted to make him very likeable. I wanted the audience to go, “God! He’s a bit of a tearaway, but I love him for it.” I wanted to make him someone the audience would enjoy and want to hang out with him sometime.

Q) Talk about working with costar Julia Stiles.

A) She’s a sweetheart. Listen, I grew up watching her films Save The Last Dance and Ten Things I Hate About You. Those films were a part of my childhood so to have an opportunity to work with her and meet her…Even the Bourne films, which are just standout. She’s a cracking actress and to be able to spend time watching her work…I had a lot of storyline with her. Just seeing her move deftly through a script was really a lovely, lovely thing to watch and be a part of.

Q) What were some of your favorite moments from playing Nico?

A) I think people who know their worth that are interesting to play, who aren’t scared by a challenge. There is a moment where Julia’s character tries to bribe me with a painting worth $5 million and I think she shows her hand at that moment. It’s a moment of weakness on her behalf. She overexposes and he just capitalizes. He’s like, “I think I’m worth a lot more than that. I think you know it and I think I know it.” I think it’s people who know how to manipulate and people who know where they stand and are confident in their own skin. It’s also the thing that ends up getting them in trouble because “pride goeth before a fall.” Certainly, twisting the knife is a fun thing to do when you’ve got the upper hand and he loves doing that as a character. He really enjoyed it. I think that’s why the relationship with Adriana (Roxane Duran) is so important because she’s sort of taught him through knowing and innocence and kindness that not everything in life is a transaction and you can do things for the betterment of the person. I think he’s learning that throughout the series maybe it isn’t all a game that he needs to win. Maybe there aren’t just losers and winners. Maybe there are just people who get through it and love is a tantamount thing. He was constantly juggling that and I was juggling it with him as a character a lot. What was more important to him – love, success, fame or sex? Whatever it was, he constantly had this ever-changing list of hierarchy and he would juggle them fairly deftly.

Q) With shows like “Riviera,” the cinematography also plays the role of another character in the series. How does that ring true for this series?

A) I think what ends up happening when you work for Sky (and it’s their most successful original drama) is they tend to no expense spare it. They have the best directors, the most talented DOP’s…from the makeup to the costumes, to the runners and location scouts who did obviously such a magic job. Everyone was at the top of their game and at the top of their field so you knew you were in very good hands. There was no weak link in the entire crew. Everyone was on hand to have a discussion. Kris Thykier is the most beautiful producer. He was forever involved. It was just beautiful and well run. Cameron Roach is now head of Sky. It was his sort of baby with Kris. So, to have people who back the show so vivaciously was a real joy. They threw heart and soul into it and it certainly didn’t go missed on my behalf.

Q) What do you think it is about “Riviera” that continues to make it such a fan favorite series?

A) It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It’s like the beginning of the summer – it’s boats, luxury and darkness. It’s that line, “It’s a sunny place for shady people.” F. Scott Fitzgerald loved it. It’s got an air of mystery to it and an air of corruption to it. It’s got an air of laissez faire about it. You get it out and it’s beautiful and sunny and the boats are out. The Campari and sodas are flowing. At the same time, you’re wondering, “How does someone own a $750 million-dollar boat?” It’s corruption on your doorstep in a beautiful setting.

Q) You often take on dramatic roles. What is it about this genre that captivates you?

A) For me it’s like if I think I can bring something to it, if I think I can add something to a character that’s already written well. Someone said, “There are three things that make a good film – script, script and script.” I’m forever searching for good writing and from that you can bring your performance and your ideas. For me, it’s just to feel that the writing grips you as an actor and to feel like you could add something and bring something to life from it. I think that drama is always funny. I started it when I was younger. Six years ago, I did a lot of comedy stuff. It’s fun to just stretch your legs and do different things and play different roles.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you have been receiving to your time on “Riviera?

A) Yeah, listen. Poppy Delevingne (who I just flipping adore) would help me run my social media adventures because she’s a master of it. The reception has been such a joy. I think when something is very well received the first time around you hope that you can build on that and I feel like we have. Like everything, it’s money on screen and there are people voting for Brexit. There are hard times and people in power that people don’t want to be in power. So, it reminds that there are people flinging money around like it’s going out of fashion is not going to be for everyone. But, you know, that’s the same with everything. You can’t appease them all. You can appease 10% of the people 90% of the time and 90% of the people 10% of the time. It’s tough to juggle the two, but I was pleased with it.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure we share with our readers about your time on “Riviera?”

A) I think just that I felt lucky to be a part of it. It was a journey of real importance, not only as an actor, but as a person. I feel very grateful to have been a part of it.

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

A) I will open a PayPal account. If you could donate just one dollar every month…that would be superb. [laughs] No, it’s really for the appeasement of the fans that anyone does anything in TV and film. Critics come and go, but fans are loyal, giving and time giving and social media sharing. That’s all you ever want to do – appease people that like you and like your work. So, I feel very privileged that there are people that have liked and enjoyed that. Long may it continue!