Welsh acting legend Jonathan Pryce has delivered a pointed, humorous jab at comedian Ricky Gervais during a recent promotional interview for his latest cinematic project. The 78-year-old star, renowned for his portrayal of Prince Philip in the final two seasons of Netflix's The Crown, made the cutting two-word comment while reflecting on viewing habits and his own experiences with past roles.
A Playful Dig at a Comedy Icon
During his conversation with The Independent, Pryce was asked about revisiting his own performances. The discussion turned to whether creators should watch their finished work, prompting the actor to reference Gervais directly. "Does Ricky Gervais watch his own work? I bet he does," Pryce remarked, before adding with a laugh, "He shouldn't."
This light-hearted critique emerged as Pryce shared an amusing anecdote about missing a pivotal moment from one of his most famous roles. He confessed to having fallen asleep during the dramatic death scene of his character, the High Sparrow, in the Season 6 finale of HBO's Game of Thrones.
Missing His Own On-Screen Demise
The actor described the lengthy build-up to the scene as "this really slow build-up to it" that "went on forever," ultimately lulling him to sleep. The following morning, while having breakfast with his son Gabriel, a waiter made a cryptic joke: "Don't worry, it won't be green." Pryce was initially baffled until his son explained the reference to wildfire, the green chemical that destroys the Great Sept of Baelor and kills the High Sparrow.
"I made a point of watching it again that night," Pryce admitted, clarifying he hadn't seen the divisive finale before. This personal story of missing his character's fate set the stage for his witty observation about Gervais and the practice of artists reviewing their own output.
Promoting a Homecoming Project
The interview was conducted to promote Pryce's new film, Under Salt Marsh, which was released on January 30. In the Sky Atlantic crime thriller, Pryce plays Solomon Bevan, a local farmer and community patriarch in the fictional Welsh coastal town of Morfa Halen.
His character, the grandfather of a nine-year-old boy whose body is discovered, becomes central to the plot when illegal dumping is found on his land. Solomon represents the community's intricate relationship with their environment in this series crafted by Claire Oakley.
A Return to Welsh Roots
The project marks a significant return to Wales for Pryce, who left nearly sixty years ago to train as a teacher in Lancashire before moving to London for drama school. In a separate interview with Radio Times, he reflected on his changing perspective of his homeland.
"When I was growing up, I didn't see it as this beautiful country with epic landscapes," he confessed. "But rather as a place where I either played in the woods or went to the pubs and then almost couldn't wait to get away from, like a lot of people when they are 18 or 19. But it is a beautiful country."
He noted the irony that much of south Wales's beauty is man-made, with "those beautiful green rolling hills" actually being "grassed-over slag heaps, waste from coal mining and steel works."
Despite his long absence, Pryce maintains a strong emotional connection to Wales. "I've left a bit of me, but I don't think I've left Wales, if that makes sense," he said, acknowledging that he has "[looked] enviously at casts that were filming in Wales" over the years. His family remains there, with sisters still living in north Wales, ensuring his ties to the country endure.
Through both his playful dig at a fellow entertainer and his heartfelt reflections on his origins, Jonathan Pryce's interview offers a blend of celebrity wit and personal nostalgia, coinciding with the release of his latest acting venture.
