THOMAS COCQUEREL

The Australian actor discusses 2000s pop culture, TV drama The Gilded Age and the best rom-com of all time

Your new TV series Paper Dolls lifts the curtain on the dark side of fame. What was it like navigating this period of pop culture?

I didn’t think it would resonate as much as it did. [Yet] there are things in the show that are quite appropriate for the world today, especially in the artistic industry. The series looks at the music industry in the early 2000s and how it didn’t take care of artists and talent, not just in terms of the industry, but also the power dynamics between men and women. Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake are a perfect example. Back then, you didn’t have any control. Now it’s pretty exciting, as you have a lot more input into what gets put out in the world, but it certainly wasn’t the case back then. The real artists had to play the game or perish.

Which artists were you listening to back then?

The way we listen to music has changed so much – we were really told what to listen to back then and what the radio said was number one. I remember listening to artists like the Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake and Backstreet Boys.

What would you like to revive from that period of time and what do you think should stay in the past?

Double denim is pretty cool. I got an earring for the character [Cocquerel plays Teddy in Paper Dolls] and that was super fun. Some of the men’s necklaces, like the puka shell, don’t need to come back.

The story was created by Belinda Chapple, former member of allfemale pop group Bardot, and is loosely based on some of her experiences. What perspective was she able to offer on that period?

We got to understand the ups and downs and how difficult it actually was. So it was great having that on set throughout and I’d imagine probably quite cathartic for her, too. To tell your story and unload it in a way is always a good thing.

We loved you in season one of The Gilded Age. What was your favourite part of working on that project?

Getting to work in that time period was so special. Every day my costume took a good 40 minutes to put on – doing up every button of the shirts, jackets and boots. I learnt how to do a bow tie. There was real beauty and care to everything they did and I really appreciated what they went through. I didn’t have one day on that set where I didn’t count my lucky stars. I was a very lucky boy to work alongside [actors] Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon and Carrie Coon.

So you’ve done the 1880s and 2000s. What period or setting would you love to do next?

One of my favourite movies is Master and Commander, so I’d love to be on a ship. I think there’s room to do more for pirate movies. I’d love to see a realistic pirate film be made.

I read that growing up you were only allowed to watch rom-coms with your sisters. What’s your all-time favourite rom-com film?

Crazy, Stupid, Love is one of the best of all time. I also love Serendipity.

Once a year we watch a film called

French Kiss starring Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan. It’s kind of a dirty pleasure – it’s really fun.

Paper Dolls is streaming on Paramount+ now.

“SOME OF THE MEN’S NECKLACES, LIKE THE PUKA SHELL, DON’T NEED TO COME BACK”