Michael Jibson – Quiz

By starrymag | May 31, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) Well, 2019 was a very busy year for me! I worked on lots of different projects on TV and film. I completed Last Night In Soho directed by Edgar Wright, which is due for release at some point in the future as well as a film about Roald Dahl starring Hugh Bonneville in which I have a really nice role. I also worked on “Four Lives” for the BBC and “Honour” for ITV with Keeley Hawes. Then, I filmed for season two of “A Discovery of Witches.” I feel very lucky!

 

Q) Please tell us the premise from the upcoming series “Quiz.”What made you want to be a part of the show?

 

A) “Quiz” is about a couple, Charles (Matthew Macfadyen) and Diana Ingram (Sian Clifford), when they appeared on ITV’s” Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?” nearly twenty years ago and how they supposedly cheated to win the jackpot prize of £1 million. I play Tecwen Whittock, who was allegedly their accomplice who helped them cheat on set.

 

Q) Were you at all familiar with the scandal before presented with the series?

 

A) I certainly remember it happening, yes. And I think it’s a really interesting thing to be turned into a drama. Lots of questions arise that haven’t been asked in years.

 

Q) How was Tecwen Whittock originally described to you?

 

A) He was described as a very interesting man. He was a university lecturer and a keen quizzer who lived in Cardiff. Luckily, I was able to watch the episode that Tecwen appeared on the show, so I was able to study some of his characteristics.

 

Q) Were you friendly/familiar with any of your costars before starring with them on the show?

 

A) Yes, I knew quite a lot of the cast already! Elliot Levey is a really good mate and we worked together on a musical in London about thirteen years ago, Also, Michael Sheen is my cousin in law – his father and my wife’s father are brothers! I know Michael socially and see him at family events, so it was amazing to work with him and see him be so brilliant! It was lovely to be on set with so many friends.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

 

A) Every scene was fun! The cast were so lovely and brilliant and also just being on set with Stephen Frears was such an amazing experience! The scenes on the ‘Millionaire” set were incredible as it was really like stepping onto the actual show.

 

Q) We also recently saw you in the film 1917. Talk about what it meant to you to work with director Sam Mendes.

 

A) Sam Mendes is incredible at what he does. It was like working with the best captain of the most magnificent ship. He was so calm and brilliant and was surrounded by the best of the best. I’m so proud that I got to be a part of that film.

 

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming such intense scenes?

 

A) It was intense, but it was also quite good fun. Sam made everybody feel very relaxed and we certainly felt like we all knew what we were doing by the time we had done fifteen takes! It was a lovely feeling to know that we got it right when we did. I went home and had a much-needed beer after that!

 

Q) What did you personally take away from working on the movie?

 

I don’t think I’ll ever forget how brilliant the collaboration was between every department on 1917. Whether it was scenes I was in or everywhere I looked from the supporting artists and the cinematography team to the caterers or producers.

 

Q) You’ve had an incredible career. What have been some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on?

 

A) Yes, I’ve been very lucky indeed. Everything is so different that I do from stage and screen to musical theatre and classical theatre. So, I suppose I take something different from everything I do. All are favorites for different reasons.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media is an incredible thing and I enjoy what it can do for an actor’s career, but I’m also very cautious about what the potential negative side of it as well. I try and take all of it with a pinch of salt – positive and negative.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do?

 

A) Thank you! I’m just a normal fella trying to be the best I can be!

 

You can catch Michael Jibson in “Quiz,” which is currently airing on AMC.