THE PANDEMIC ALLOWED US ALL TO RECONNECT
IT’S 4am in Venice, and Rupert Graves is in a water taxi on his way back to the hotel after a night shoot and there are no other boats – and certainly no tourists – around.
That’s the memory the Sherlock star, 57, recalls vividly as his favourite moment from shooting Sky Atlantic series Riviera.
“It was jaw-droppingly beautiful,” says the actor. “Sitting on set in Venice – which was lit beautifully
– in the best clothes I’ve ever worn in my life, was a real personal highlight.”
Rupert joins the cast of the thrilling drama for its third series, playing the charismatic and charming Gabriel Hirsch, who starts working with the lead character, Georgina, played by Julia Stiles.
A year has passed since the explosive finale of the second series and Georgina has abandoned the cursed Riviera and started her life over again.
“Gabriel offers her a job that proves an adventure and she can’t resist, so they go to Venice to recover a stolen Picasso and that’s quickly wrapped up into an international conspiracy that takes them to Argentina,” teases New Yorker Julia, 39.
But what made Rupert – known for films such as A Room With A View, and V For Vendetta – take the TV role?
“I’d never seen a show about the super-wealthy, that was done in this way, which I found interesting because I found it dreamy and quite hallucinogenic and... not aspirational, but if you aspire to be like these people, good luck to you!” he says.
Julia notes there are certainly more shows on our screens now that are “female-driven, or with female main characters”, compared to when she started acting, aged 12.
The actress, best known for the
Jason Bourne films and teen favourite, 10 Things I Hate About You, says: “I’m pleasantly surprised I’ve had the opportunity to work on a show where I play a character that is surprising and reckless and doesn’t make the right decisions all the time. It’s been very rewarding.”
Julia also worked as executive producer on this latest series, and says it’s been liberating to have more input: “It’s very
Super rich Georgina and Gabriel (Julia Stiles and Rupert Graves) enjoy a little more luxury in Venice creatively satisfying to made 2020 a difficult year be able to be involved for everyone and I ask the earlier in the process,” pair how they have been she says. trying to escape the real
There are few shows world. more glamorous than “It’s an interesting Riviera, which revolves learning experience,” around the lifestyles of the says Julia. super-rich. “My normal method of
With such beautiful escape would be travel, and locations, fashion and obviously that’s been taken people, Riviera is the away. ultimate escapism telly. “It’s certainly forced me
Of course Covid-19 has to appreciate my immediate surroundings.”
“I’ve got five kids,” adds Rupert, who’s married to Australian Susie Graves.
“I spent a big chunk of last year away from my kids and my family, and so to go back to the heart of the family, and not get out of the house, was actually really important for me and my family. It allowed us all to reconnect.”
He continues: “The thing is, when you’re away from a child for nearly a year, each child changes so much. No matter how much you write to them, no matter how much you Skype them, it’s not the same.
“And to spend seven months actually back home was a brilliant and muchneeded opportunity.
“So, I didn’t want or need an escape. I took full advantage of the closeness.”
Riviera returns to Sky Atlantic on Thursday, October 15.