Really great English actors in their 40s?

[daveyboy1984]

Hi guys, I would really like to hear if you have any reccomendations of really good male english actors in their lates 30s, 40s and early 50s who are worth checking out onscreen.



Reason being is that Im hoping to make a short film with a lead character who's that sort of age and want to be familar with as many people's work as possible. The less famous the better - as there might be a chance they would be interested in being in the film!



Thanks a lot for all your help.



Dave

[billy bentley]

Charles Laughton on form is as good as it gets n screen regardless of nationality !

[theuofc]

name='daveyboy1984']Hi guys, I would really like to hear if you have any reccomendations of really good male english actors in their lates 30s, 40s and early 50s who are worth checking out onscreen.



Reason being is that Im hoping to make a short film with a lead character who's that sort of age and want to be familar with as many people's work as possible. The less famous the better - as there might be a chance they would be interested in being in the film!



Thanks a lot for all your help.



Dave

I suggest Jeremy Northam, 48, an excellent actor who knows how to use his eyes and voice and as an added perk is good looking. He's not un-famous, but he's not A-track famous either which I suspect is his choice.



See him in The Winslow Boy, Emma, Possession, The Statement, Gosford Park, and currently The Tudors. Given some of his film choices, I think that he would find a well-done Indie short film intriguing.



Good luck,



Barbara

[Wicked Lady]

Well, you're a bit spoiled for choice really there are LOADS.



It might help if we knew what type of chap you want. Do you want something pretty to look at like Linus Roache or 'been round the traps lived-in' like Ken Stott?

[dremble wedge]

name='theuofc']I suggest Jeremy Northam, 48, an excellent actor who knows how to use his eyes and voice and as an added perk is good looking. He's not un-famous, but he's not A-track famous either which I suspect is his choice.

He's excellent in the recent Dean Spanley

[daveyboy1984]

Hi, thanks for the replies. It's really great to check out people Ive not seen before!

To answer Wicked Ladies question It's not overally important what they look like as long as

they are a great actor. But I am thinking more on the rougher side, a face with personality. (not Warren Beatty esque!) I was initially thinking along the lines of Noah Taylor but Im not sure if he would be right/old enough.



The story is set in a pub. The Main character is a man who's grown bitter over the years and more of a recluse as he's lost his wife years before. His only real connection with the outside world is through a barmaid who chats to him after the pubs closed at night. He's hard nosed, rough, drinks too much, yet still has a sense of allure and intrigue about him. Something that draws you in - he's an interesting, intense, unpredictable guy. We empathize somewhat with his life, and even like him to an extent -even though he's a tough loser.



Any more thoughts...?



Thanks.

[Nick Dando]

Tim Spall, Kenneth Branagh, Colin Firth, Stephen Mackintosh, Sam West, Lee Ingleby, James D'Arcy, James Wilby, the Glenister brothers, Rupert Graves, Owen Teale.

[Nick Dando]

And Toby Stephens.

[daveyboy1984]

That's great Nick, thanks. Just thinking they can be in-fact quite famous as if there's any slight chance they agree to do it then that might help secure the financing.



Thanks-

[GRAEME]

name='billy bentley']Charles Laughton on form is as good as it gets n screen regardless of nationality !

Isn't he kinda dead though?

[ram4553]

name='GRAEME']Isn't he kinda dead though?

lololololololol



He'd be upright in a flash for the right role.

[ram4553]

Is there a producer's credit in this for us??



Some first-rate actors mentioned previously, especially Northam and Graves. Wish the latter were more visible; thought Northam was outstanding in The Tudors. In fact, if you take a look at several recent costume dramas/epics such as 300, The Last Legion, TV's addictive Rome you'll find a wealth of talent.



Very personal preferences: Jason Flemyng, Chiwetel Ejiofor (the guy can do anything), Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, and last but not least Nick Frost. I've enjoyed his antics in Hot Fuzz, Kinky Boots, Shaun of the Dead...but keep thinking I'd like to see him tackle a serious/heavy role or a romantic comedy. Think he could.



Hope you succeed.

[Nick Dando]

You've just reminded me of James Purefoy.

[Mark O]

Hugh Bonneville and David Morrissey are two more in their 40's worth considering

[ram4553]

name='Nick Dando']You've just reminded me of James Purefoy.

Superb!



I struggled with that one, thinking his looks were too good. All men are created equal. Some men are just more equal than others.

[billy bentley]

Charles Laughton Sir, is immortal.

[ram4553]

name='billy bentley']Charles Laughton Sir, is immortal.

Don't you mean the Highlander Duncan MacLeod?



Another lol. Too-shay, bb. Have never gotten the hang of accent marks on the keyboard. One of these days...

[batman]

name='Wicked Lady'] ... or 'been round the traps lived-in' like Ken Stott?

Ken Stott is always worth watching IMHO. Although I think he's great in his cop roles, TV (and film for that matter) should use him more often in other types of role. I thought his portrayal of Hitler was excellent (though not in the Bruno Ganz class).

[theuofc]

name='daveyboy1984']Hi, thanks for the replies. It's really great to check out people Ive not seen before!

To answer Wicked Ladies question It's not overally important what they look like as long as

they are a great actor. But I am thinking more on the rougher side, a face with personality. (not Warren Beatty esque!) I was initially thinking along the lines of Noah Taylor but Im not sure if he would be right/old enough.



The story is set in a pub. The Main character is a man who's grown bitter over the years and more of a recluse as he's lost his wife years before. His only real connection with the outside world is through a barmaid who chats to him after the pubs closed at night. He's hard nosed, rough, drinks too much, yet still has a sense of allure and intrigue about him. Something that draws you in - he's an interesting, intense, unpredictable guy. We empathize somewhat with his life, and even like him to an extent -even though he's a tough loser.



Any more thoughts...?



Thanks.

Jason Isaacs would fit this scenario quite well. His level green eyes and lean, compact look convey a steely toughness yet a charisma that would draw you in despite his bitter edge from life.



Mesmerizing as criminal Michael Caffee in the excellent American series BROTHERHOOD; equally believable in GOOD as a Jewish psychiatrist facing the start of WW2 in Nazi Germany and on stage last year in Pinter's THE DUMB WAITER.



Barbara

[batman]

name='theuofc']Jason Isaacs would fit this scenario quite well. His level green eyes and lean, compact look convey a steely toughness yet a charisma that would draw you in despite his bitter edge from life.

And he would make a great James Bond when Daniel Craig calls it a day.