We caught up with Irish actor Emmett J Scanlan…
Emmett, before you sat down to answer these questions, what were you doing?
Watching my one-year-old crawl. She’s a unit. I say crawl, she was rolling. I watched her roll all the way into a radiator. Don’t worry, she’s fine… the radiator isn’t though!
What’s been the best thing you’ve watched recently?
I just finished Boiling Point yesterday and I loved it.
A series that has left a lasting impression on you?
Off the top of my head and because I was literally listening to the soundtrack in the car today, I’ll go with The Leftovers. Phenomenal show!
A movie you won’t ever forget?
Today I drove by a cinema in Coolock which I used to frequent loads growing up in Dublin. I couldn’t tell ye any movie I’ve seen there except one – Pulp Fiction. Sometimes you see a movie and it has such an impact on you, you remember where you were when you first saw it. So Coolock cinema, 1994. Pulp Fiction. Masterpiece.
What’s your favourite and least favourite thing about your career?
My favourite thing is that I get to do it; and not just do it, but I get to work with heroes of mine. I love being on set, being in the moment and trying to mine out something worthwhile, something truthful. I don’t want to say it’s my least favourite thing, but interviews and publicity are the hardest part of the job for me, or certainly where I’m most uncomfortable. But I’m trying to become friends with it. And I think I’m getting better at it. Hope so anyway!
What’s been the most important lesson you’ve learned?
Never say anything about yourself you don’t wantto come true. If you can change your inner dialogue, you change your life because your words become things. So for the love of God, be kind to yourself.
Biggest part you’ve ever missed out on?
I have some horror stories that I won’t share here, but to give a dog a bone (and this isn’t a horror story, just a story) I almost got Negan in The Walking Dead. I remember the offer went out to Jeffery Dean Morgan on a Friday and being told that if he said no, I was the guy. Monday came. He said yes.
How do you know when a character is right for you?
When I’m scared.
What’s your dream role?
The Joker, probably.
You’ll feature in Fool Me Once this festive season, give us a teaser for it.
It’s by Harlan Coben,so you’re guaranteed twists and turns. It’s pure entertainment where everyone is a suspect and nothing is as it seems. I know that’s vague, but you did say “tease us”.
We’ll be watching you, but what will you be watching on New Year’s?
Ah, on New Year’s Day I’ll be nursing a sore head from the night before, somewhere deep in the heart of Scotland!
Emmett appears in Fool Me Once alongside Michelle Keegan and Joanna Lumley, landing on Netflix, Jan 1st.
