Jonathan Pryce has called for more roles for older actors that don’t centre around death or health issues.
Jonathan Pryce wants there to be more roles for older actors that don’t centre around death or health issues.
The 79-year-old actor recently finished filming a new TV drama, Mavis Eccleston – which tells the real-life story of a suicide pact between a terminally ill man and his wife – and though he had a great time, he admitted the plot was typical of the sort of projects he is typically offered these days and he’d love to find some lighter fare.
Asked how it felt shooting something so heavy, he told Variety: “It’s all to do with my age. That’s all we have to think about, is illness and death. Those are the roles they’re writing for people my age.
“I suppose I would like to do more work where there wasn’t a certain kind of affliction.
“Ted Danson’s show [A Man on the Inside] — Ted is roughly the same age as me — that’s a good image of the older character. Someone who’s fun, who’s bright, who has a contribution to make. Maybe more roles like that.
“Maybe I’ll go and guest star on Ted’s show and become an inmate in the home somewhere.”
And Jonathan quipped he’s keen to pop up on dating show Love Island.
Asked any other shows he’d like a guest role in, he said: “Love Island. No, I don’t know. At the moment, all I can think about is Slow Horses, so that’s great.”
The veteran actor received good news on Wednesday (08.07.26) when he was nominated for the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Emmy Award for his work as David Cartwright in Apple TV+ drama Slow Horses, and not only is he very proud of his recognition, he was equally happy to see co-stars Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden shortlisted for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series respectively.
He said: “I was woken up from an after-lunch doze to be told, so I’m thrilled. It’s just great. I’m very proud of the show. I’m glad that the show’s got nominations, and Gary and Jack also. So I’m feeling good. It’s a really nice feeling.
“They’re both on set. I was down on set a week ago to do some recording and said hello to Gary, but I’ve not talked to them since the nominations. But I’m really glad for them. I think both their performances are excellent.
“Jack, I’ve loved working with him, loved being his grandfather for the past few years, so I’m very happy for him…
I’m going to have a swim. I’m on vacation, so I won’t be thinking about much else. I’m just absolutely thrilled about the nomination. It’s especially these in particular — the Emmys and the SAGs — they’re nominated by your peers, so that’s really touching after all these years.”
Jonathan Pryce wants different roles for older actors
