That's A WrapA (very) long road to semi-stardom - Musings of a Supporting Artiste

A Winter´s Tale

Date: 29.10.2019  |  Posted by Phillip Tolley  | 

As we approach the winter months there is still plenty of filming work to be had, particularly with “Sex Education”, “A Discovery of Witches”, “The Spanish Princess” (Part 2) and the second series of “His Dark Materials”. However, there is less enthusiasm this time of year with the shortened daylight, cold mornings and frosted cars.

It is likely this time of year that you will have to run round a field in Sandals and a Toga pretending to be warm for a film being released in the Summer.

Luckily, a number of earlier productions have come to the screen from “Sanditon”, “The Accident” and the new series of the “Crown”. My appearance on “Sanditon” was all too brief with my torso just crossing the screen. My appearance in the “The Accident” and the “Crown” are both related to funeral processions. One following the factory collapse in “The Accident” while the “Crown” episode features the Aberfan Disaster.

I continue to be cast as Clergy, firstly in the aforementioned “The Accident” and more recently in an episode of “His Dark Materials” (Series 2).

I have recently opened my mouth and uttered some words on camera, yet to be transmitted. Firstly, in an episode of “Doctor Who” and then an eventful episode of “Casualty”. None of the words were scripted so I cannot claim to finally be an actor but both were walk-on roles so things are moving up.

A reminder of Walk-On definition;

"A Walk-On Artist shall be an individual who is required to exercise their professional skills in relation to a cast actor and/ or in close-up to camera and be required to impersonate an identifiable individual and/or speak a few unimportant words where the precise words spoken do not have an effect on the overall script or outcome of the story".

The “Trail of Christine Keeler” should also have been out by now but is caught up in the current government election discussions as the BBC is not allowed to show any political series that paints one party or the other in a bad light during potential election periods.

The other big production for me is “The King” with Timothee Chalament.. This is due to be screened on Netflix and selected Cinemas in November. I play the Bishop of London and it’s the most prominent role I have played to date.