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Column: The never-ending appeal of the British Bad Guy

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Column: The never-ending appeal of the British Bad Guy

As a connoisseur of fine acting and a keen observer of the art world, I must say that Rory Kinnear has undeniably proven his versatility and talent in the realm of British television. With an impressive array of roles under his belt, from the chilling Black Jack Randall to the implacable Jack Corkoran, Kinnear has shown a remarkable ability to embody both the charming and the sinister aspects that characterize the well-educated British accent.

Despite not currently starring in his own detective show, Rory Kinnear is undeniably a quintessentially British actor. He’s graced stages with Shakespeare, charmed viewers in “Cranford,” and appeared in “The Thick of It” and the James Bond series. His roles have ranged from portraying Frankenstein’s monster in “Penny Dreadful” to Tom Bombadil in “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” Winston Churchill in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” twin pirates in “Our Flag Means Death,” and no less than 10 chilling English villagers in Alex Garland’s horror tale “Men.

Now, he’s part of one of the cherished circles in film and TV land – the British Order of Villains.

You’re familiar with the British Antagonist, often characterized by an Oxford accent and a knack for witty stories. He’s the one who enjoys port and cigars while devising ways to eliminate the protagonist. He can be a ruthless military officer, wearing a monocle and carrying a swagger stick, sending his soldiers into unnecessary danger or betraying them. He may also be an aristocrat, still lamenting over what he perceives as the “loss” of India, hiding his wrongdoings under the cover of the Official Secrets Act. Lastly, he could be a young MI5 officer or a financial broker who is willing to lie, cheat, and steal to preserve his status.

Despite his warm or cold demeanor, charismatic or sarcastic persona, whether he’s perched atop society or struggling to ascend, he embodies the cowardly spirit of a rotten social structure.

And this year, Rory Kinnear got to play him. Twice.

In the Netflix series “The Diplomat,” the character portrayed by Kinnear is Nicol Trowbridge, a fictional Prime Minister known for his ambitious and unpredictable nature that could initially appear comical. However, as the story progresses in the second season, Trowbridge’s menacing demeanor (and his position as prime minister) becomes less amusing.

As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by FX’s portrayal of “Say Nothing,” the gripping adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s nonfiction work chronicling the most turbulent period of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. In this narrative, I find myself immersed in the character of Gen. Frank Kitson, a real-life figure tasked with suppressing the Irish Republican Army during the 1970s through an array of counterinsurgency methods.

Despite their differences, both roles share characteristics typical of a suave British villain: an aristocratic accent, precise pronunciation, impeccable posture, and a cold stare that, with its piercing eyes and undercurrent of simmering threat, grows increasingly frosty as the tense moments lengthen.

Also, an endless capacity for ruthlessness.

In the realm of cinema and TV, while Nazis continue to embody the quintessential villain, both from history and presently, there’s a strong affinity for the antagonistic role played by the British character.

Numerous actors are quite appealing: Witness Jason Isaacs portraying Lucius Malfoy in the “Harry Potter” movie series, or his role in “The OA” on Netflix. Similarly, Rufus Sewell can be seen as the envious knight in “A Knight’s Tale,” or as an American Nazi in “The Man in the High Castle.” Samuel West has played the traitorous Anthony Blunt in “The Crown,” and a corrupt politician in “Slow Horses” as well.

Column: The never-ending appeal of the British Bad Guy

Even the most formidable characters portrayed by Tobias Menzies as Captain Jack Randall in “Outlander” and Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt in “Watchmen” are captivating due to their unshakable self-assurance. One can’t help but ponder, how do they manage to be so profoundly wicked?

With a round and friendly-looking face, Kinnear initially doesn’t appear to be the likely candidate for joining a group that prefers a more rugged appearance. However, much like in “Men,” Kinnear’s tranquil facade only serves to amplify the eerie nature of his characters; his skill at contorting his mouth into a stern, unyielding expression is exceptional.

There’s no need for a physical qualification to join, and Tom Hollander excelled at elevating the brotherhood with his chilling portrayal of Lord Cutler Becket in the second and third “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies (he even has the meme to show it). However, he later toned things down by playing Lance “Corky” Corkoran in “The Night Manager.

One key factor that makes certain actors excel at portraying villains is their inherent talent. For instance, Mark Strong has demonstrated this skill effectively, appearing as a chilling antagonist in films like “Young Victoria” and “Sherlock Holmes”, and even playing an American villain in “The Penguin”. Interestingly, he also transformed into a heroic character in the “Kingsman” series, and recently portrayed a cautious and uneasy Emperor in “Dune: Prophecy.” Similarly, Caitriona Balfe, known for her dual roles as both the loving and grieving husband Frank, as well as the cruel Black Jack in “Outlander”, also showcased her versatility by portraying a weary Prince Phillip in “The Crown.

Undoubtedly, their accents play a significant role. I find myself captivated by Benedict Cumberbatch’s vocal prowess, as it was perfect for the dragon Smaug in “The Hobbit,” much like Sir Ian McKellen’s voice suited Gandalf, and Jeremy Irons’ voice brought Scar to life in “The Lion King.” Similarly, the late George Sanders’ accent made him an ideal choice for Shere Khan in “The Jungle Book.” Their unique accents add a layer of authenticity that enhances the magic of these beloved characters.

To an American listener, there’s often a dual quality to the educated British accent – it can sound comforting yet subtly ominous at times. In essence, charm is frequently a disguise of sorts.

It’s common knowledge among the British as well that… In “Slow Horses,” characters with the thickest accents often turn out to be the least reliable. While Gary Oldman portrays Jackson Lamb with a strong London accent, James D’Arcy plays his slick Home Secretary Peter Judd in a more posh manner.

In “Say Nothing” and “The Diplomat,” Kinnear’s accent sets apart his characters from the main characters – members of the IRA in the first and U.S. ambassador to the UK, Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), in the second. Sewell, who portrays Kate’s husband, Hal, has an American accent but maintains intrigue with a softer version of a “BBG-lite” personality, often seen as a wildcard or underdog.

Though “Say Nothing” has concluded as a limited series, “The Diplomat” will return for its third season, and Trowbridge’s character portrayed by Kinnear will be back as well. The fate of the prime minister – whether he’ll find redemption or face infamy due to BBG – remains uncertain. Given his successful track record in this quintessentially British genre, as well as numerous other roles, Kinnear may encounter the same risk that Sewell, Strong, and others have faced: the danger of being stereotyped.

Or someone could do the most British next thing and write him a nice detective series.

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2024-11-21 22:31

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