Versatile Tom Riley tackles sci-fi fantasy in ‘The Nevers’

NEW YORK » Robert Pattinson — that A-list international heartthrob — may owe a little thanks to rising star Tom Riley.

It was Riley who replaced Pattinson at the last minute in a 2005 stage production of “The Woman Before” at London’s Royal Court Theatre. The change was made so late that programs and announcements to the press had been made before the switch.

“By the time the reviews came out, they were saying lovely things about newcomer Robert Pattinson,” says the British actor. “But it was me.”

Pattinson used the positive reviews to help fuel his rise to “Twilight” fame. Riley, who went on to star on Broadway, TV and films, has no hard feelings.

“I would have done exactly the same thing,” says

Riley, laughing, and adds with his tongue firmly in his cheek: “And as a result of that, his career crashed and burned. So what can I say?”

Riley’s career is humming along nicely and he takes another step into the spotlight this month in “The Nevers,” a gender-bending sci-fi fantasy series on HBO created by Joss Whedon.

Set in England in the 1890s, the show centers on a group of people who have mysteriously been imbued with distinct superpowers. Some can see the future, some grow 10-foot-tall, others can harness electricity.

These people — the Victorians refer to them as “touched” — are a threat to the status quo. There is much fighting, cool special effects and social commentary — a sort of Victorian X-Men.

“It does defy definition and description in so many everything is repressed and everything is tricky and difficult for him,” he says.

Co-executive producer Daniel Kaminsky says Riley brings sincerity and warmth to the role that elevates Augie’s occasional antics and makes him a very real and interesting character.

“A few of us had seen Tom’s earlier work and had only thought of him as a leading man, but when he auditioned for the more eccentric Augie it blew us all away — he was able to bring more to the character than what was on the page,” says Kaminsky. “He was a natural fit to our fantastic ensemble.”

Whedon, responsible for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and “Firefly” on the small screen and who directed the first two Marvel “Avengers” movies, has since left the series and been accused by actors on other projects of being abusive.

The first six episodes of “The Nevers” are done and start airing weekly on Sunday. The cast is due to return in June to finish the first season with British screenwriter Philippa Goslett taking over as showrunner.

So secretive is the project that Riley has no idea what happens to his character. All he knows is that the world created for him is complex and with powerful themes.

“Yes, mutants have powers and they’re shunned from society and exploited. But has its eye on a bigger prize as it progresses,” he says. “It’s bolder than that. It’s more ambitious.”

Riley isn’t dawdling during the lull. He’s calling from the set of the Netflix eight-part series “The Woman of the House” with Kristen Bell. The precautions about COVID-19 have made filming odd, particularly the masks.

HBO VIA AP