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Tom Rhys Harries on New Series Suspicion
Apple TV's tense new thriller has arrived
By | 2 years ago
Along with Bridgerton and Tiger King, Netflix’s White Lines provided the backdrop to many households’ lockdowns. The show, which premiered in May 2020, revolves around the life and untimely death of Manchester DJ Axel Collins, who fled to Ibiza in the 90s – only to be swept up by the island’s darker side. The series propelled its leading actor, Tom Rhys Harries, into the spotlight. Yet this wasn’t the beginning of his acting career.
Tom, now 29, took on his first role while at college in 2011, Hunky Dory, followed by an array of roles across theatre, TV and film – from Jez Butterworth’s MOJO to Guy Ritchie’s The Gentleman and Sky Atlantic series Britannia. This year, Tom will be starring in Apple TV show Suspicion alongside Uma Thurman. He’s here to tell us all about it.
Q&A with Tom Rhys Harries
What can you tell us about Suspicion?
Suspicion is a new Apple TV series based on an Israeli show called False Flag. It’s a thriller in the mould of Line of Duty set between London and New York, where we follow five seemingly normal suspects and find out that there’s a lot more going on than first meets the eye. It’s a show about truth, surveillance, corruption and power.
Any funny stories from filming?
No, we are serious actors and this show is deadly serious! Lydia West and I had a funny day walking around New York actually. If you’re ever there I cannot recommend the Milk Bar Pie from Momofuku enough.
Favourite person on the set of Suspicion and why?
Andrew, the medic. I had long Covid and he was my guardian angel. Andrew – if you’re reading this, I am and will forever be indebted to you.
Favourite role to date and why?
I did a play called Pitchfork Disney and played Cosmo Disney a few years ago. That really stuck with me, a switch flicked on that project.
The role you’d cut your right arm off to get?
Anything in Dune Part 2. I have wondered what they’ll call it in France and whether it will be Dune Deux; which if you repeat it a bunch of times sounds like the Jaws theme.
What demands do you have on set?
Nobody can look me in the eye, not even other actors when we’re doing scenes. It does get awkward sometimes.
Director you’d most like to work with and why?
Dennis Villeneuve, Cleo Barnard, Yorgos Lanthimos, Jane Campion, Ridley Scott, David Lowery.
What qualities do you think have made you successful?
I don’t think that’s for me to say.
The film you think everyone in the world should see?
Life is Beautiful by Roberto Benigni.
What’s your relationship with social media like?
Comme ci, comme ça.
What did you want to be when you were a little boy?
I wanted to play rugby for Wales. Specifically, I wanted to play a fly-half.
If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be?
Ease up, calm down, be kind. It’ll all work out in the end. If it hasn’t, it’s not the end.
Three books you’d take to a desert island and why?
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig, and my notebook (can I have a pencil too?) – to keep track of the good spots on the island.
How can we all live a little bit better?
By trying to get as much good sleep as realistically possible.
What’s your interior design style?
Wood, plants, and meaningful art.
What is your current beauty regime?
It’s pretty slapdash, I use moisturiser.
What are your indulgences?
Häagen-Dazs Pralines & Cream.
How do you relax?
I write music and I run. Not at the same time, although I know Murakami runs every day and comes up with his novels on jogs.
If we’re coming to your area for a visit, what should we do?
I just moved out to the countryside after living in London for a decade. There are some beautiful walks near where I live now, and a trampoline.
Are you a rule breaker or a rule-taker?
That depends on the rule – the older I get the more I appreciate certain rules. But not all of them.
The first two episodes of Suspicion are available now on Apple TV
Image Credits:
- Photography: Joseph Sinclair
- Styling: Olga Timofejeva
- Grooming: Maria Comparetto
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