Praise the Lord
Why ANDREW SCOTT loves playing a dashing aristocrat
DRAMA
The Pursuit of Love
Sunday, BBC1 HD, 9pm
FOLLOWING CHARISMATIC
PERFORMANCES in Fleabag, His Dark Materials and Sherlock, Andrew Scott is on typically scene-stealing form as stylish Lord Merlin in BBC1
period drama The Pursuit of Love.
The decadent neighbour of the eccentric Radlett family, Lord Merlin has already tried to take impulsive Linda Radlett (Lily James) under his wing and introduce her to a glamorous world of art and jazz.
This week, after rushing into marriage with pompous banker and MP Tony Kroesig (Freddie Fox), Linda is miserable, but Merlin soon scoops her up again and turns her into a party-loving social butterfly.
LIVING WELL
‘You could see this as a period drama with posh people, but these bright young things are celebrating life. I love the fact they think life is a party,’ smiles Scott. ‘We all have people in our lives that we meet at an impressionable age and it’s a portal to a new world. Merlin provides that for Linda.’
However, when Linda meets communist Christian Talbot (James Frecheville), she embarks on a scandalous affair. Merlin is furious as he feels she is throwing herself away on another unsuitable man – but circumstances change when Christian decides to fight in the Spanish Civil War...
Scott admits he was captivated by Lord Merlin, who was based on writer Nancy Mitford’s friend, writer and musician Lord Berners.
‘Lord Berners was unabashed,’ says the 44-year-old. ‘Merlin’s a funny, inspiring, brave character. He’s audacious and free with his attitude towards love, life, sex and art. We need people like that.’
The highlight of filming for
Scott was getting the chance to work with Emily Mortimer, who has adapted and directed the series.
‘She’s creating a visual world that’s completely unique,’ says Scott. ‘It’s period drama, but it’s sexy, not stuffy. It’s alive, filthy, and heartbreaking. I love it!’