‘He wasn’t an ideal shape’ Michael Gambon comments on lack of sex in new Churchill drama
MICHAEL GAMBON takes on the almighty task of playing Winston Churchill in the upcoming drama Churchill's Secret, which is set after the Prime Minister had a stroke.
Michael Gambon is set to play Winston Churchill in a new drama which will air later this year
The 75-year-old, who is famous for Harry Potter, Gosford Park and The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, points out that this series doesn't feature any sexed-up acrobatics like Game of Thrones or War and Peace.
The Golden Globe nominated star told Radio Times: "Churchill wasn’t an ideal shape for sexual intercourse was he, really?”
And much to Gambon's relief, Churchill doesn't shed any clothing and submerge in the bath - similar to that of Albert Finney in the political drama, The Gathering Storm.
Speaking of Finney's performance he added: “I remember Albert taking his clothes off and laying in the bath. I thought, ‘I don’t want to do that’. Oh no.”
The actor says he was surprised when the director approached him to play the part
Gambon took over Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films
The drama is an adaptation of Jonathan Smith’s novel KBO: The Churchill Secret. KBO stands for “keep buggering on”, Churchill’s answer to any of the many challenges life threw at him.
The veteran actor began his career on stage and his first starring roles came at the Birmingham Repertory Company, where he appeared in plays such as Othello and Macbeth.
Gambon later made the transition into film, but it took a while to establish a name for himself. Early on, he was turned down for the role of James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, because of his lesser known status.
Churchills Secret
He is known for his role as William McCordle in Godford Park
He starred alongside Helen Mirren in The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
Five decades later, with several acclaimed movies under his hat, he still remains surprised when a coveted role comes knocking.
“It was a shock when the director said, 'we want you to play Churchill',” he added.
“I thought, Oh Christ almighty. I know of him! I said I’d think about it.”
When asked about how he intends to carry on with his career, Gambon said: “I couldn’t play a man who is screaming and shouting and doing somersaults – but I can keep on doing this… Until I am dead.”