IN CONVERSATION WITH KADIFF KIRWAN

interview by JANA LETONJA

British actor and writer Kadiff Kirwan will be reprising his leading role in the highly anticipated fourth season of Apple TV+’s ‘Slow Horses’, releasing on 4th September. This Summer, Kadiff also starred in Katori Hall’s Pulitzer prize winning play ‘The Hot Wing King’ at the National Theatre.

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Kadiff, we’ll be seeing you in the highly anticipated new season of ‘Slow Horses’. What can the fans expect when the series returns to the screens?

Fans can expect the latest season of ‘Slow Horses’ to thrill, excite and shock. It is probably the biggest season we have done so far, from the intense action sequences, to the scale of sets and epic storyline. It’s possibly the most fun we have had and is truly something that stretched all of us as cast members and crew. It is honestly one of the most exciting things I have ever been a part of and I’m so excited for everyone to see this new season. I really believe this is the best season yet. 

What is in store for your character Marcus this season?

Marcus goes on the biggest journey so far in his career and his time as a Slow Horse. This season, he is put under a lot of pressure, which in turn affects everyone else in Slough House. We really get to see this sense of desperation within him, which is quite interesting as we haven’t viewed that side of him before. He has a lot of stuff to sort out this season.

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How do you see your character’s development through the seasons?

Marcus has really come a long way. He is someone that can now open up to and trust his colleagues. He has been very accustomed to being a lone wolf and is now able to share his problems with people, especially with Shirley. He pushes himself in situations that he potentially wouldn’t have before as he now has an emotional connection towards them and so finds himself going the extra mile to make sure everyone is safe and okay. I really loved playing that this season. It’s a new Marcus. A stressed Marcus, but a new Marcus none the less.

What do you enjoy the most about this series, based on the book series, and its story?

I think the aspect I enjoyed the most about Season 4 was just the pure scale of it. We had a lot of night shoots, a lot of action sequences, a lot of explosions and commotions like that. The sheer scale of this season is epic. It’s almost like we were shooting a feature film every episode. The vision of Will Smith and Mick Herron, and all at Apple and See-Saw Films was just huge this season. And hopefully, the audience will not just enjoy, but be shocked by how large the show has gotten. Ultimately, the stories are still paramount and key, it’s all story based. It is just a brilliant season.

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The series has also already been renewed for a fifth season. How excited were you and the rest of the cast and crew when you heard this news?

It was so incredible to hear the show had been renewed for a fifth season. I know myself and the entire cast and crew were beside ourselves with excitement knowing that this story will continue and that we are just going to keep delving into more avenues for the ‘Slow Horses’, and stick them in more situations that will entertain people.

This Summer, you’ve also starred in Katori Hall’s Pulitzer prize winning play ‘The Hot Wing King’. What is the biggest message of this play in the theatre space, and why was being a part of it so important to you?

I think the biggest message that this play is trying to impart to the audience is love, joy and authenticity, whatever you can do to find it and find your found family. It’s a difficult piece, but joyful. And it really leaves the audience knowing that if you ask for help when you need it and if you continue to love on the people that are around you, everything will work out fine as hard as it may be. It is a beautiful queer story of friendship and love, and I am really happy that this production is being put on at The National Theatre. It’s just been wonderful to be a part of it.

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 Acting both on screen and on stage, which of the two creatively challenges you more, and why?

They are both very interesting for different reasons. I love the directness of being on stage and knowing that each performance will exist only for that moment in time. Each performance is different. And for screen, I love trying to exhume the truth, be that with a particular look or an action, and getting it right as you are on a time crunch when it comes to filming. I love that not everything has to be verbal with screen, you can convey a feeling with a simple grin. I love both mediums. I love the feeling of stage and I love the technique of camera, and I try my best in both. They are both creatively fulfilling.

How does your process of preparing for a role differ for stage and on-screen performances?

For stage, it was about getting physically fit to carry a show for eight performances a week and to also be able to enjoy it. For screen, it’s just really getting under the skin of the character. They are both the same in a way, truly. Stage is somewhat harder because of the demands per show. If you are feeling poorly, you are still going on that stage. There are no understudies on this particular play, so I’ve had to push through illness at times, but I’ve loved it because it shows you what the body can do even when you don’t think it can.

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Tell us more about your hobbies and other passions in life, that you enjoy in your spare time.

I’m an avid art collector. I love art. I am also a keen cook. I take real pride in cooking for my friends and family whenever I get the opportunity to do so. Those two things really do keep me busy. I am also really into fitness and adore visiting the theatre. I enjoy seeing all kinds of productions. Musicals, plays, concerts, you name it, I’m there. I relish the experience of live performance and I love sharing that with people. You also end up meeting people at those events that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to, so it’s wonderful to see the way in which art can reach people, all different kinds of people. 

What is coming up next for you? What can you share with us about your other upcoming projects?

I have just finished filming a project that will be out next year, but I can’t say much about it. I’m also currently writing a pilot that I will star in with BBC Studios. It’s a beautiful new queer story and I’m very excited for it to be born and to give it over to the world.

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TEAM CREDITS:
talent KADIFF KIRWAN
photography BARLEY NIMMO
styling SARAH HARRISON
grooming LAURAINE BAILEY
interview JANA LETONJA