Veteran actor David Harewood, known for “Homeland,” “Sherwood” and “Supergirl,” is finally leading a show with “Pierre.”
“It’s my first lead character in a 40-year career, which is quite extraordinary, and the first time I’ve been number one on the call sheet. It’s an exciting place to be.”
“I’m very lucky to have worked with fabulous ‘number ones’ like Claire Danes and Melissa Benoist on ‘Supergirl,’ who really set the tone on set. If they’re not moaning, nobody can moan. I was looking forward to setting that tone myself.”
He “loved being in the position of leading,” he admits. “I wanted to make sure I was open and accessible. It was a difficult shoot and I texted one of my ‘number one’ pals, saying: ‘Oh, so that’s what it’s like.’ You are there all day, every day, in every scene. But it was wonderful.”
Harewood, who accepted an OBE for his service to drama and charity, recently reprised the role of “Othello” in the West End. “I’m pretty exhausted and I find myself eating all sorts of terrible food. I keep telling myself I deserve it,” he laughs.
In “Pierre,” he plays a West London duty solicitor shaken up by the suspicious death of his young black client, Michael.
“I think this young lad sparks something in Pierre. He sparks a memory of someone he used to be. Now, Pierre is prepared to walk through fire in order to do the right thing. It comes at a cost, because he runs into something he wasn’t expecting to find.”
“Pierre” is produced by The Lighthouse for Channel 4. International distribution of the series is handled by Sphere Abacus.
Sarmad Masud is the lead director, Jo Johnson produces and Roy Williams and John Donnelly are the co-writers. Jason Flemyng, Michele Austin, Dean-Charles Chapman, Nikkita Chadha, Christopher Fairbank, Sara Powell, Cherrelle Skeete, Dylan Ennis and Ezrae Maye also star.
Playing Pierre allowed Harewood to showcase his skills.
“For the first time, I’ve been able to show my full range: the funny, the serious, the clever and the witty. The husband, the dedicated father, the public servant. It was such a wonderful experience to reflect all these things in one character.”
Pierre’s occupation was a big draw. “We’re drowning in superheroes now, but there are real-life superheroes: nurses and doctors, and people who go above and beyond every day to fulfill their public service. Duty solicitors get a bad rap, yet they will show up at three or four in the morning to ensure people are protected by the law. That’s really honorable,” he says. He reached out to a few of them, too.
“I was on a morning show once and there was this fairly high-powered solicitor. I mentioned I was playing a duty solicitor and he immediately went: ‘They’re not very good.’ That’s the arrogance of people. They’re not doing it for the money – they’re doing it because they feel that people in vulnerable positions need help. Some have already contacted me, saying: ‘Thank God someone’s telling our side of the story’.”
although his foibles, “wonderfully human” Pierre is a bit of a throwback to the characters we used to see, notes Harewood.
“He wears his heart on his sleeve and thinks of himself last. He has a wonderful knack for loving people who might otherwise be difficult to love, and he’ll go the extra mile for them. We need more Pierres in this world.”
In the show, he’s surrounded by quirky supporting characters, including one played by Joy Richardson.
“She’s based on a real woman who used to dress head to toe in white and wear white powder on her face. Most people, I’m sure, would give her a wide berth. But even those on the margins of the society need someone to talk to. They need a superhero to stand up for them and Pierre is prepared to do that.”
Reflecting on the changes in the industry, Harewood can be blunt.
“I am not sure if people think very deeply these days. Matt Damon just did Netflix’s ‘The Rip’ and admitted you have to restate the plot because people are on their phones and they’re not really watching. Both George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio have mentioned that the era of people going out to the movies might be over.”
He adds: “I think the pandemic sent us all nuts and it has certainly changed behaviors. We’re in a new age of attention. It’s no longer about stars; it’s about characters and stories. I like that. People will always show up when those ingredients are in the pie.”
Speaking of characters – the plan is for Pierre to return. But first, he needs to make some lifestyle changes.
“You have to as you age. I also used to throw myself all over the place without thinking about it. Now, after finishing that play, I have bruises all over. Pierre realizes that continuing as he is isn’t good enough. By the end of the first season, you’ll see a man who’s made some really difficult choices – for the better,” teases Harewood.
“In the last five years, I’ve been very fortunate to discover things that have impacted my life and work in a major way. I’m looking for characters like that, too – ones who aren’t stuck and want to make the world a better place. God knows we need them.”
“I don’t think it’s about growing old – it’s about getting better. Even good guys can get better.”
Source: variety.com
