Michael Palin is making a rare return to acting in the new comedy series 'Small Prophets', written by a writer known for working on 'The Office'. The Monty Python star, who has focused on travel and writing in recent years, said he was drawn to the project because of the writer's unique humour and understanding of people.
In the series, Palin plays Brian, an elderly resident of a care home. He admitted that while he doesn't act often, he still enjoys it, and the role was too good to turn down. 'There was no question of saying, “No, I can’t do this, I’m busy travelling,”' he said.
Palin, now in his 80s, said he found playing an older character natural, though he noted that Brian is not a typical care home resident. 'He’s old and forgetful but able to interpret extraordinary text and put old bits of machinery together again,' Palin explained. 'He’s definitely not the archetype in a care home.'
The actor reflected on ageing, saying he sometimes forgets names and places but remains sharp when focused on a project. He also praised the writer's style as 'Pythonic' for its understated humour, adding that the best comedy comes from characters taking themselves seriously.
