PATRICK GIBSON

is in fine fettle…

As fresh-faced Jake in Lenny Abrahamson’s What Richard Did, Patrick Gibson turned heads, but it was Brit Marling’s mysterious Netflix series The OA that brought the 21-year-old Dubliner to a global audience. With Their Finest and two major TV shows – Guerrilla and The White Princess – out soon, Gibson is poised to make his mark. “I want to play characters that feel authentic.” What was it like to work on a show as secretive as The OA? The whole process, from auditioning, was all very secretive. I got two scenes to read for the audition and was like, “I love this and I don’t know anything about it!” [The OA creators Brit Marling

and Zal Batmanglij] have a far larger story than what’s been seen. It’s like the tip of the iceberg. The whole mechanics have been worked out, because they’ve been plotting it for seven years. Was What Richard Did an important early experience? I have such happy memories of that time. They created this world for us to live in. We did workshops for months where we told stories about our lives. So when it came to doing all the scenes, it felt really natural and normal. That was the first time I understood about exploring characters. It must be an exciting time for you? Yeah, it’s bizarre. When I was younger, I was imagining working with people like Bill Nighy and Sam [ Claflin] and Gemma [ Arterton] and then it happens and you realise, “These are just normal fucking people.” You’re like, “What’s the craic? Good morning!” Any dream directors you’d like to work with? I have a list, I’m such a nerd. I’m a massive fan of Denis Villeneuve. If Paddy Considine makes another film I’ll do anything. Tyrannosaur is a film that’s stayed with me so much. If Harmony Korine does another film, I’ll do it. [ laughs] Is this my chance to be like, “Give me a job”?