Charles Dance Reflects on 'Purgatory' Stage Role and Illustrious Career
Veteran actor Charles Dance, currently filming the second series of Sky Atlantic's spy drama The Day of the Jackal in Budapest, has revealed the intense emotional toll of a past stage performance. At 79 years old, Dance shows no signs of slowing down, but he candidly describes a touring production of Shadowlands in 2007-2008 as "purgatory," where he was "sobbing his guts out for eight shows a week for six months."
From Bond Villain to Mountbatten: A Storied Career
Dance's career spans decades, with notable roles in film and television including Game of Thrones, The Crown, The Imitation Game, and Bleak House. He made his name playing Guy Perron in the 1984 TV series The Jewel in the Crown and has since become a respected figure in the industry. In The Day of the Jackal, he plays financier Timothy Winthrop, the employer of assassin Eddie Redmayne's character, though Dance emphasises he would never presume to give advice to his younger co-star, calling Redmayne "terrific and very bright."
On-Set Injuries and Unforgettable Moments
Dance shared a humorous yet painful memory from filming the 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only, where he played villainous henchman Claus. During a ski jump scene, he dislocated his shoulder but insisted on performing his own stunts. After a hospital visit, he was prescribed painkillers that turned out to be suppositories, leading to a comical struggle in his chic black ski suit. He fondly recalls co-star Roger Moore as "wonderful and an absolute gent," who defended Dance's single line in the film from being cut.
Working with Legends and Script Challenges
The actor also reminisced about working with director Robert Altman on the 2001 film Gosford Park, noting Altman's fondness for cannabis in the afternoons but praising him as "a joy to work with." Dance has forthright views on scripts, stating that "probably 7 out of 10 scripts are not as good as we would like them to be," and feels a responsibility to avoid looking foolish in his roles. His recent portrayal of Lord Mountbatten in The Crown was complex, describing the peer as "extraordinary" yet "loved and loathed," and he will reprise the role in an upcoming biopic about Wallis Simpson.
Personal Background and Career Philosophy
Born in Worcestershire and raised by a mother from Bethnal Green who worked as a servant from age 13, Dance left school with only two O levels in English and art, and a pronounced stammer. He attended art school in Leicester and worked on a building site to fund acting lessons, eventually joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. Despite early challenges, he expresses gratitude for his career, saying, "I am very lucky to do a job that I love." Dance admits to sometimes taking roles based on filming locations, even if the project turns out to be "a load of bilge," valuing the travel experiences it affords.
Now based in Islington, north London, with partner Alessandra Masi, Dance continues to embrace new projects, proving that age is no barrier to passion and professionalism in the acting world.
