SAM THE MAN HE’S A BRIT OF ALRIGHT!
The English heart-throb chats about fame, fatherhood and getting stars truck
His new film My Cousin Rachel – a psychological thriller and period drama – is set to be Sam Claflin’s fourth major movie in just the past year. The British hunk, who turns 31 this week, tells Woman’s Day about working with stunning Rachel Weisz, his family and what’s coming up next in his career.
You’ ve star red in some huge blockbusters and film franchises – Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hunger Games and Me Before You. How has that been?
I try and stay away from the box-office madness. If you get too wrapped up in that, it will drive you nuts. The difficult thing about where I’m at now is that there is an age gap in the industry for men. There are a lot of stories for men between 18 and 25, and stories that follow men over 35 – but not so many in between. Now I’m ready to explore and start to get scripts for older men. Especially now that I’m a father, I feel I’ve got an emotional depth greater than, say, it was two years ago.
What was it like working with Rachel?
My character is swept away and is in awe of her, so I didn’t feel like I was acting much! She is incredible. You only have to watch the film to know what I’m talking about. I was constantly on edge in a really exciting way.
You have a one-year-old son with your wife Laura Haddock. How do you balance parent hood with your career?
Fortunately, I can talk to my representatives and say, “I’d like a couple of months off.” But at the same time, if a script came in that was an absolute no-brainer and a great opportunity, then of course I can do it.
What was it like growing up as one off our brothers?
My poor mum! Dad loved it because we’d all go and watch the football – and actually my mum loved it and wouldn’t change it for the world. She sort of became an honorary lad, ferrying me and my friends to football matches in a big minibus. My parents and two older brothers are back in Norwich, where is we grew up. It’s still home for me and it’s a beautiful place. My wife and I love going back to see family.
What hooked you into making My Cousin Rachel?
I wanted to be a part of this film for so many reasons – a great director [Roger Michell], a fantastic script and cast. It’s a psychological thriller, but it’s also a period drama and what I love about Roger’s vision is that he didn’t want it set in any particular time or any particular place. It’s slightly ambiguous and left to your imagination. Working with Roger is a treat for an actor. He supported me along the way, and he helped guide me and I trusted him totally.