Hugo Weaving’s Slow Horses Villain Knew He Was Asking Too Much

As a seasoned actor with a diverse portfolio under my belt, I find myself drawn to the intricate tapestry of human psychology that acting presents. The stage and screen have provided me with countless opportunities to explore this fascination, taking me on journeys across continents and through the lives of characters vastly different from my own.

Spoilers for Slow Horses season-four finale “Hello Goodbye” follow.

In the gripping finale of Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses,” I was taken aback by an astonishing twist: the elusive rogue intelligence operative, Frank Harkness, who’d been our troupe of underdog agents hot on the trail all season, turned out to be more than just the leader of a ruthless mercenary group brainwashed since childhood. He was also revealed as the biological father of River Cartwright, the show’s flawed MI5 misfit played by Jack Lowden. With this series centered around a family bond forged from dysfunction, and the overarching theme of father figures, it felt poignant and heartbreaking to witness River reconnect with his estranged father – even if their meeting was fraught with hostility, as Frank tried to coerce his son into joining his now-decimated team under threats of violence. To be honest, the situation seemed fitting for River, the ever-striving and stumbling black sheep, to discover that his dad was actually a key player in terrorism activities.

In “Slow Horses,” Hugo Weaving, famous for his roles as Agent Smith in “The Matrix” and Elrond in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings,” portrays the enigmatic character Harkness. Known for his intense and oily charm, Weaving brings a unique blend of malevolence and relentless chatter to the role. This unconventional villain is part destructive force and part persuasive salesman. The season concludes with Harkness slipping away without consequences, having skillfully executed a plan that forces MI5 into releasing him through blackmail. Given that Harkness appears in more books of Mick Herron’s “Slough House” series from which “Slow Horses” is based, it’s likely we’ll see Weaving and Lowden together on screen again.

In other conversations, you’ve mentioned growing weary of portraying Hollywood villains, but Frank Harness isn’t exactly the stereotypical villain. Instead, he seems to inhabit a role that is somewhat adjacent to this archetype. What intrigues you about Frank? Well, I don’t think it’s so much a return to playing a villain as it is portraying a complex individual navigating in the murky waters of intelligence work. The actions of these individuals are often extreme, which is precisely why intelligence agencies exist – to handle tasks that society doesn’t want any of us to be involved with, yet still need to be done. My goal is to bring him to life as authentically as possible. He leads a team of operatives who also happen to be his sons, making him a father figure. Despite the dark nature of his work – which includes carrying out killings for various international agencies – he must come across as polite, listening more than revealing about himself when interacting with others. He can be charismatic, I suppose, but when talking to you, there’s no way to know any of that. He has to remain a courteous man who listens attentively and doesn’t reveal much about himself.

As a devoted fan, I found myself captivated by the intricate family dynamics that the series subtly establishes with our protagonist, River. He finds himself under the guidance of two significant figures: David Cartwright, whom we discover is his grandfather, and Jackson Lamb, with whom he often clashes and defies. The emergence of Frank, revealed to be River’s biological father, serves as a captivating centerpiece, shedding light on the theme of familial dysfunction that lies at the heart of Slow Horses. I believe this is the essence of the story – it delves into our personal struggles with feelings of unworthiness, longing for love and acceptance. Characters like Frank, River’s true father and the antagonist of the season, create a dynamic reminiscent of Darth Vader, as River has spent the entire narrative seeking him out without realizing he was his father all along.

In that pivotal scene at the bar where Frank is unveiled as River’s father, could you tell us about your experience working with Jack Lowden? Honestly, we weren’t well-acquainted prior to this; we had only discussed our characters. However, it was clear neither Frank nor River knew each other either, so in a way, we were both starting fresh – just like the characters. Working with Jack is always enjoyable. He has an exceptional knack for comedy, particularly self-deprecating humor. I find that Frank shares this trait, having a dry, quirky sense of humor. I believe Frank recognizes the absurdity of his proposition, which makes the scene even more intriguing.

Frank seemed unsure if River would truly defect, considering his actions weren’t voluntary. However, under different circumstances, River might have accepted a job offer. But after the tragic incident involving the civilian casualties and the revelation that Frank was involved, this idea seems absurdly comic. Yet, it’s comical in a way because Frank even extended the offer, which he probably didn’t expect River to accept. This action suggests a genuine, though misguided, wish on his part.

Is it apparent that Frank truly feels like a father towards his child? While it’s not always evident, I can only assume so. There’s a moment earlier with Patrice where Frank is holding him close and speaking softly in French, seeming to impart something significant into the boy and the warrior within him. The character of Frank embodies a classic role: a father-warrior figure who treats his noble sons, both warriors themselves on the battlefield, with a resolute dedication to their cause. To Frank, they are his sons in every sense. He has his own unique interpretation of love, or what fathers and sons should share and experience together. It’s just a different sort of affection compared to what most people express.

In simpler terms, the scene initially portrays Frank as a peculiar and talkative individual who finds himself in a precarious situation, narrowly escaping being harmed by his client. This scene serves to humanize Frank, making us empathize with him despite his role as an antagonist. The fact that he manages to extricate himself from this predicament using words alone hints at his cunning and resourceful nature, suggesting that Frank is a resilient character who knows how to navigate difficult situations effectively.

Were you selected to portray the character Frank? Did they reach out to you about it? Yes, I received the scripts along with an offer for the role. I found out about it as Will Smith, who is my cousin and also the creator/showrunner of ‘Slow Horses’, was reading the book that this season is based on when he thought I would be suitable for Frank while writing the adaptation. Nina Gold, a casting agent who has worked with me before in projects like ‘Patrick Melrose’, might have been the one to contact you about it. You could ask Will Smith or Nina Gold for more details.

The agreement extended over multiple seasons. To be honest, I can’t recall my activities at that time, but it wasn’t as if we were preparing to film in a matter of months. Instead, it was much further along the line. It seemed like they were about to start filming season three when they contacted me.

Hey there! It’s been a while since I’ve seen you on the silver screen, so your recent appearance with a full beard caught me off guard at first. But hey, it’s great to see you back! As I navigate my way through my 60s, I must say I’m still very much in love with my career in acting. The film industry can be quite challenging, especially when working on low-budget Australian films, but the allure of exploring human psychology never fades. It’s an endless source of fascination for me, both personally and professionally. Being part of a new family and venturing to different locations like London and France for projects is always a pleasure. I’m excited about what the future holds!

As a passionate movie aficionado, I’ve always cherished the idea of taking a breather after wrapping up one project before diving into another. The moments spent at home with my loved ones, exploring new destinations, immersing myself in nature, and tending to my garden are priceless to me. I strive for harmony in life when I’m not on set, getting my hands dirty by nurturing trees and vegetable patches. Thankfully, my health has been kind to me, enabling me to embrace these experiences fully.

In a different take, are the intense and edgy roles I often portray just a façade? Since I’ve recently played a character in the series “Love Me,” which revolves around a family, where I portrayed a father whose wife passed away, leaving him heartbroken. Interestingly, this character was not your typical alpha or beta male; he was simply a regular man, capable but rather unexciting. The experience of playing him was truly delightful.

I really love taking on various characters, and currently we’re considering making another movie like “Priscilla.

Are we talking about “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”? Indeed! It’s intriguing to contemplate where the characters have ended up and what they’re currently doing. While it’s true that some characters I portray can be quite intense, such as Agent Smith or Frank, I try to approach all levels of intensity in my roles. However, I’m not sure if there’s a specific relationship between me and intensity. Perhaps it’s just that the more intense roles tend to be the ones that gain more recognition.

It’s exciting to hear that you might revisit Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
The idea for it is really good — revisiting those three characters. Who are they now? Where do drag queens go when they get old? What are the things that they have to deal with as they get older? It is about aging in that way.

The show significantly impacted everyone involved, providing an unforgettable experience for all. Not only did it become a global sensation, but it also served as a wave for global acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. The movie marked a shift in perspective and relationships among people, symbolizing a new era of understanding and inclusion.

So, it seems you have a passion for gardening! What new seeds are you planning to sow this growing season? As for me, I’ve planted potatoes that should sprout in November or December. I also have broad beans, lettuces, cavolo nero, and chard in the pipeline. Lately, I’ve been harvesting a lot of limes, and our blood oranges are ripe. We even have 300 olive trees here, which means we can pick olives for about two and a half days if it’s the right time of year. We make our own olive oil on-site! Though I reside in Sydney, we also have a house on this property near the river, spanning around 58 acres. It’s such a peaceful retreat when I’m not busy with filming, filled with wallabies and native wildlife that we let roam freely. We focus on planting trees and nurturing the soil to make it healthier.

2024-10-09 13:54

Hugo Weaving’s Slow Horses Villain Knew He Was Asking Too Much

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