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I found this moving, how he reevaluates what is important.
That was what grabbed me when Scott Frank, the director, first started talking about the project.
I first met him over Skype, and we basically spoke a lot about the arc.
Theres a real effort there that I found endearing about him.
Hes really tried to change himself to make himself feel more attractive and to see Beth.
But then he realizes that is not him and has to reevaluate that as well.
Theres a real dance they do with each other.
Hes trying to suss out where she is, and shes in a way so ahead of him.
That was fascinating to sink my teeth into.
Speaking of, did you actually have to change your teeth?Youre the first to ask this!
I was a bit nervous about it, but I did.
There were fake teeth from, I believe, episode four onward.
That was a fantastic way of subtly changing … me, basically.
It literally changes the way you speak and where your face falls.
Which was kind of worrying.
He was wonderful at articulating the choreography of the pieces.
Did you model his playing after anyone?
Was there a Harry Beltik style of chess?We each choose a character.
I focused on a real chess player, Magnus Carlsen.
Hes very interesting because hes very quick and his hands are very straight in line with the pieces.
You slowly build up how you move.
I remember Bruce at one point going, Thats a very Benny move, thats not for Harry.
There was a sense in the room that it was a very special moment.
Especially when Benny gets the phone call and says shes won, there was a moment of jubilation.
I find the research fascinating, and definitely my main way into projects.
I knew what I was in for.
And then drama school shaked it up.
Oftentimes, when youre on set, you go,I should just think like that 10-year-old.
But at the same time, its nice to have some process to fall back on.
Did working with the Coens change your acting approach?
You worked with Joel Coen again playing Malcolm in his version ofMacbeth.
When they were talking about the cast they were gathering for that project, it was so exciting.
Theres this weird connection between Scott and the Coens.
Also Thomas Brodie-Sangster was inGodlessandThe Queens Gambit, so a lot of connections.
Obviously, I knew Thomas started young, but we never really spoke about our early days doing it.
We only had that last scene together.
But we didnt speak about our 10-year-old selves.
Its like the whole world has access to your home videos.
Thats the weird thing about film.
Here in the U.K., every ChristmasHarry Pottercomes on.
Do you find yourself intentionally taking roles that will bring you in a different direction?
I think what I really enjoy about this job is the transformation of it.
When Im playing with that, Im really excited.
I think it keeps me alive and keeps me focused.
