On an early morning in Edinburgh, Scotland, one of the most revered actors of his generation is talking about real life versus art.
Gary Oldman, known for his on-screen intensity, explains over a cup of tea how age has mellowed him.
“I do like junk food occasionally but mostly try to avoid it. I don’t drink or smoke anymore. But most of all, I’m much softer than the character I inhabit right now,” the 68-year-old star of Apple TV’s “Slow Horses” says.
Oldman plays Jackson Lamb, a brilliant but uncouth British spy in the thriller, returning for its sixth season Wednesday. The series also stars Kristin Scott Thomas and Jack Lowden.
The role has earned Oldmam a coveted Emmy nomination. But the part, plus growing a little older, has changed his life in other ways.
“Jackson Lamb has no filter,” the Oscar winner says. “He’s very direct with people. At this age, I don’t want any confrontations! I’m not that direct. Life is too short. Maybe I liked to rough it up a bit when I was younger. I just don’t want to hurt people’s feelings now.
“I don’t want to make people feel less than or uncomfortable,” he continues. “There is a side to Lamb that actually takes pleasure in that.”
Based on the Mick Herron novels, “Slow Horses” revolves around MI5’s most dysfunctional agents, all rejects, who are sent to work together at Slough House. Of course, they end up in the middle of London’s biggest espionage cases, including terror attacks across the city. This season, expect guns, fights, car chases, explosions and major stakes.
A father of three grown sons, Oldman splits his time between Palm Springs, California, and London with his wife, Gisele Schmidt. His good life advice:
Back on the horse
Oldman says the appeal of “Slow Horses” lies in its core of lovable rogues who occupy the British intelligence dumping ground. “I love to get back into the skin of Jackson Lamb,” the British actor says. “He’s a brilliant man and so many other things that there is never a boring moment.”
Find your family
He has a bit of Lamb withdrawal between seasons, Oldman admits. “Most of all, I just really miss the company of my friends,” he says. “I miss this big group of people. I long for that kind of camaraderie. You need to surround yourself with other people, especially as we age. Friends can form into a big family. When I hear that we’re about to film another season, I’m quite excited just to think, ‘I’m going to get to see everyone again.’ ”
‘The fun way’
Instead of wearing a padded suit and prosthetics for “Slow Horses,” Oldman chose to put on a few extra pounds to play Lamb. How did he do it? “The fun way that teaches you what not to eat on a regular basis,” he says, adding that he doesn’t even wear a wig for his “just rolled out of bed” look. “All my own hair. I grew it out. “Plus, I’ve already spent millions of hours in makeup chairs getting hair and makeup. I wanted that time back on this one.”
In the moment
Oldman doesn’t lament the passing years. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been,” he says. “I’m more comfortable now than I was in my skin when I was younger. There was chaos and pain, but no longer. … There’s a saying, isn’t there, that we have one foot in the past, one foot in the future, and we forget today. We are not in the moment. Aging teaches you to be in the moment.”
It’s just an act
Oldman marvels that fans want him to be Jackson Lamb when they run into him in public. “I hear, ‘You’re different than him,’ ” he says. “‘For starters, you don’t smell!’ Folks, it’s all just smoke and mirrors, makeup and hair gel!”
