David Morrissey has been on my mind lately, for a random reason: I’ve been bingeing through the Queens of England podcast (highly recommend!), and in all the Anne Boleyn episodes, his performance as the Duke of Norfolk is the one that keeps coming to mind. And then I remember how dreamy he was in South Riding, and I can’t decide if I should love him or hate him! So, share my mental obsession!
Cause Célèbre (1987)
A TV adaptation of the play inspired by the trial of Alma Rattenbury (Helen MIrren) and her teenage lover in 1935 for the murder of her husband.
Baby face!
Loving that suit!
Robin Hood (1991)
The Patrick Bergin/Uma Thurman film, not the Kevin Costner. Morrissey plays Little John.
I know the hair/eggbeard is appropriate to the role, but I don’t have to like it.
The Storyteller: Greek Myths (1991)
As Theseus in this live action/puppet TV series by Jim Henson (the Muppets).
Nipple alert!
Hilary and Jackie (1998)
As the husband of flautist Hilary du Pré, who had a fucked up relationship with her sister.
I mean, watch it if you like bleak.
Our Mutual Friend (1998)
As Bradley Headstone in this TV adaptation of the Dickens novel; everyone I know who has tried to watch it has died of boredom, so beware!
He’s got some serious sideburns there!
The Suicide Club (2000)
Based on a short story by Robert Louis Stevenson, a Victorian man joins a club for people who want to commit suicide.
Literally the best I could do.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (2001)
The combination of romance + Nicolas Cage + that title makes me want to stick a fork in my eye, but apparently Morrissey plays Captain Günther Weber, so I guess is a Nazi?
We’re in Greece! Opa!
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
As Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, uncle to Anne Boleyn and, according to this version, very much the man behind the schemes.
He pulls off that Henrician hat SO well.
And he does schemey and controlling very well too.
I don’t want him to organize my marriage, but I do want him to pull my hair?
Sense & Sensibility (2008)
As a more age-appropriate Colonel Brandon in this TV miniseries adaptation of the Jane Austen novel — which I watched, but don’t remember, because the 1995 feature film is the one and only for me.
Loves me some high Regency collars!
DIT-TO
Which one would you choose?
THIS WORKS FOR ME
Dammit, I may have to give this a rewatch.
Nowhere Boy (2009)
As the common-law husband of John Lennon’s mother.
Doctor Who: The Next Doctor (2009)
As Jackson Lake, a human with memory loss who believes he is the Doctor, in this 1851 Christmas-set episode.
Grrrr! Although that collar is far too loose.
Centurion (2010)
As one of too many (for me to care) Roman soldiers in this film about the disappearance of Rome’s Ninth Legion, which flopped, so whatever.
Back left. zzzzz.
Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express (2010)
One episode of the David Suchet series. Morrissey plays Colonel John Arbuthnot.
With Jessica Chastain!
South Riding (2011)
I don’t remember the specifics of Morrissey’s character, other than he’s a mucky muck in this 1930s Yorkshire town who eventually warms up to Anna Maxwell-Martin’s character, but I do remember he was DREAMY.
I think he’s the head of the school board? Or a committed father? I don’t know, he’s being paternal and protective.
And he has FORM!
The Hollow Crown: Richard II (2013)
As Northumberland in this TV adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)
What looks like a comedy about a professional hangman who hasn’t realized that hanging has recently been abolished in Britain.
Britannia (2017-19)
As Aulus Plautius, the Roman general who became the first governor of the Roman colony of Britannia.
Going full Game of Thrones I see.
The Singapore Grip (2020)
Set during World War II Singapore, Morrissey plays a British man who controls a trading company there.
Linen suit FTW!
I think it’s a comedy? Not sure!
What’s your favorite of David Morrissey’s frock flicks roles?
Sorry he creeps me out no matter what role he plays…
Didn’t realize he was in these flicks. Of the ones I saw, The Next Doctor, for sure.
In the picture of Hangmen, the actor on the left is currently to be seen in the latest season of ‘Unforgotten’ on Masterpiece Mystery as one of the suspects.
NTs Hangman was great fun!!!
So wished the NT had shared Hangman with us on YouTube during their Covid Lockdown in 2020.
Loved every Play/show they shared last year. I felt “rich” in solitary self-isolation.
I absolutely second that because I would have loved to watch it again. Not only because of Morrissey but also because of Johnny Flynn who was also in it and hilarious
“I know the hair/eggbeard is appropriate to the role, but I don’t have to like it.”
I hate to have to ask, but what does “eggbeard” mean?
I see this term used every so often when men’s facial hair comes under discussion, and I don’t get it. (Googling just gets me a lot of pictures of eggs with beards drawn on them, which is cute but not helpful unless Easter is coming up.)
Thanks in advance.
Excellent question! We will address this next Snark Week!
Oh, yes, a very nice choice! I’ve only seen him a few things, but he always looks very good and acts very well. Centurion was fun. I’m going to add a few of these to my list.
Am I the only one who doesn’t buy him as “teenager” in that film, Cause Celebre? I mean, he definitely looks young, but not like a teenager in my opinion.
He’s not to my taste at all, but he’s a good actor. I think part of this is having seen him in Our Mutual Friend as the VERY FIRST THING I ever saw him in — and once you’ve seen him go full-blown psycho would-be murderer (sorry, spoilers), there’s no coming back from that. I enjoyed him “all right” as Colonel Brandon, but I’m with you: Alan Rickman is my Brandon, and Kate Winslet is my Marianne, and no matter how much more I like Dan Stevens than Hugh Grant as Edward, the 1996 version is THE BEST. “Give me something to do, or I shall run mad,” pleads Rickman with his doe eyes and I… melt. I was so gone. Even as a thirteen year old, seeing it for the first time, wanting to punch Marianne repeatedly because HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS MAN?
Ahem. Yes. Moving on.
I guess I’m in the minority since I loved “Our Mutual Friend”, but yes, his Bradley Headstone was absolutely terrifying!
Yes–and brilliant. I loved this production and have watched it many times. The word Dickens uses to describe every aspect of Headstone’s appearance is “decent”–sort of like in the interview with a serial killer’s neighbors and they unanimously describe the SK as nice and ordinary. His proposal scene is a masterclass in terror and despair.
But I got past that and loved his Colonel Brandon! “Come and find me when you’re ready.” Okay!
I really enjoyed Our Mutual Friend! I love the book because for once, Dickens wrote a feisty heroine. But that version of Richard II, with Ben Whishaw in the title role was electrifying!
Same here. So after that I hated him as Brandon…kept waiting for him to turn psycho stalker 19th century version
Poor man, attempting to step into Rickman’s shoes….
I think that he was a very different Colonel Brandon and the role is not easy … He is more the tragic but bully officer.
But he has very different scenes in the film then in Emma Thompson-adaption.
Were dead animals draped around the shoulders ever a thing outside of thirties fox stoles and Game of thrones??
I love that version of Our Mutual Friend! Paul McGann is extremely dreamy in it.