I struggled to contain my enthusiasm when I landed an interview with Conleth Hill since I am a “Game of Thrones” fan.
In the critically acclaimed fantasy drama “Game of Thrones,” which ran from 2011 to 2019, the 57-year-old actor, a doyen in stage, film, and television, is best known for his cunning character Lord Varys, a eunuch who played a crucial part in the raging warfare for the seat to the throne of the seven kingdoms.
It’s true that it wasn’t simple. But I didn’t have to worry about it since our conversation with Hill was so interesting.
Hill’s most recent appearance is in the crime thriller “Holding” on BritBox, which is based on talk show presenter Graham Norton’s first book.
It’s interesting to note that Norton also voices a radio DJ in the series.
While Hill portrays a grouchy constable in a quiet Irish hamlet. He was chosen to play Sergeant PJ Collins, and throughout his career, he has had comfort food binges while obediently carrying out his duties.
He’s a decent enough man, yet he doesn’t fit in.
But when the corpse of a local legend named Tommy Burke is found, he is compelled to take action. Soon enough, PJ is thrown into a completely alien environment where he must track down the offender.
By doing this, he establishes a new bond with the locals while bringing to light long-buried mysteries.
Hill briefly discussed his GoT character’s fandom before getting into his role.
It’s strange, it was a life-changing event, and it was a great job, he said. However, it was a job, as you claim, and the one you are working on right now is the most important.
“And it’s over, no matter how brilliant or life-altering it was. Since few years ago, it has ended. I also adored it. I liked every aspect of it.
“That is just how things work. Even if a job is vital while you are performing it, ultimately it ends and you move on. I wasn’t particularly troubled, so the fame aspect of it wasn’t a big deal. I had great luck.
While the global entertainment business is really moving on at full speed after the output lull caused by COVID-19 for over two years, The first lockdown, according to Hill, “was terrifying at first for everyone”.
The entertainment industry, including movies and television, was once seen as a front-line occupation. I was really pleased that my career continued.
Additionally, I made “Holding” during the two years of lockdown, which kept me quite occupied.
He laughed as he adopted a persona that was completely different from the one that viewers had grown accustomed to seeing him portray. “Well, I think anything I play is going to be different from Varys because there are not that many recurring roles for balding eunuchs in an alternative universe,” he said.
“I don’t make any major decisions,” he continued. As you learn early on, PJ has an overeating problem spurred on by stress or any kind of crisis. It’s simply whatever the role demands. As a result, he is heavier than I am, but clothes address that.
“I really believe that everyone around me performs the labor-intensive work for me, which makes my job simpler. However, I don’t make a huge choice. I believe the script backs it up.
The excellent actors I work with and the fantastic screenplay by Dominic (Treadwell-Collins) and Karen (Cogandominique), which is based on the amazing book by Graham Norton, were just a few of the reasons I wanted to work on this project.
The choice of Kathy Burke as director followed. The question was, “Where do I sign?”
Hill was thrilled to work with Brenda Fricker.
Oh course, working with Brenda Fricker was a dream come true, he acknowledged. I would say that she has had a fantastic presence on television ever since I was a youngster, and I have sometimes worked with Charlene McKenna.
In response to a question about the show’s appeal, he said, “I believe, like with any front-line programmes, it simply takes twists and turns and, ideally, if we were doing our jobs, you are not sure who the killer may be.
“I like that it wasn’t too aggressive or physical. He’s simply a regular little guard, trudging through this mystery, and his name is PJ.
A few years after graduating from drama school, Hills revealed that he had completed all the roles on his bucket list. He said, “I’ve been very lucky to work with brilliant writers in theatre, TV, and film and I regard my career as successful just because I work and not because I have lots of money or loads of fame.
“I’m pleased to have worked for more than 35 years. My sole goal is to provide great work for nice people and get lovely compensation.
BritBox is streaming “Holding.”