Here’s one I’m putting up for all y’all to decide: does Tom Cullen qualify for “why are the baddies always hot?” In frock flicks, he swings back and forth between playing good guys and bad guys, and even his good guys may have an edge. It’s certainly a range!
Wulfric in World Without End (2012)
Just another peasanty fella, workin’ the land, workin’ for the man.
Takin’ one for the team, & tryin’ to survive the plague. So a good guy.
Anthony Foyle, Viscount Gillingham, in Downton Abbey (2013-14)
In season 4 & 5, he flirts with & eventually has sex with a widowed Lady Mary, then she dumps him. He has a sad :(
But also, it’s his valet who raped Anna, so maybe he doesn’t have the best judgement…
Guy Fawkes in Gunpowder (2017)
Remember, remember, the 5th of November — he’s the guy who did the plotting, so definitely bad guy.
Landry in Knightfall (2017-19)
He’s a sworn Knight Templar, but he’s a big ol’ hypocrite.
Knocking up Queen Joan, for example. And getting his kit off onscreen, as one does.
Thomas Seymour in Becoming Elizabeth (2022)
Then there’s this guy, oof. Not a fan of the historical character or this fictionalized version, except for the costumes!
So are Tom Cullen’s frock flick roles the baddies or not? What’s your fave?
Maybe 6-7 years ago, while he was still dating Tatiana Maslany, they came into the market I worked at. I (privately, in the back room) squeed over Tatiana Maslay, but nearly did not recognise Tom Cullen, because a) he had a big beard, and b) was not in period costume!
Anyway they were both really nice and bought a roast chicken for dinner.
Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Becoming Elizabeth did codpieces!
The armour, other material culture, and action in Knightfall are across the board awful. There was an article that came out at the time (from the production team of course) swearing on the authenticity of the armour, when it’s anything but. I remember seeing a castle siege in the show that has some of the more baffling tactics and logistics put to screen.
They couldn’t be arsed to get some basics right. What did they think the “le Bel” in Philippe le Bel meant?
The Metatron has two videos on Knightfall.
They thought he was a bell ringer?😁
‘Knightfall’ is a masterpiece of unintentional comedy.
Wow! I was totally unexcited about him in Downton Abbey, but now seeing all those beardy pics? YES PLEASE
Yes, he definitely looks better beardy!
He is yummy. His characters annoyed me in both Downton Abbey and Knightfall, but he looked good while doing it. I haven’t seen the others.
Goody,baddy, who cares, he’s hot.