Welcome to the Episode 4 of The Fourth Wall – an interview podcast where I attempt to break down the fourth wall of the film industry, getting a behind the scenes look through my conversations with filmmakers, actors/actresses, and other industry professionals. My guest today is the star of the new DC TV series on EPIX “Pennyworth,” Jack Bannon.
After smaller roles in shows such as “Endeavor” and “Medici” and films such as “Fury” and “The Imitation Game,” Bannon is now taking DC television by storm with his portrayal of the famed Batman butler and mentor, Alfred Pennyworth. Brought to life by the showrunners of “Gotham,” “Pennyworth” naturally serves as part Batman prequel series, but it’s devotion to distinguishing itself as an original 60s action spy adventure was precisely what appealed to Bannon when taking on the role. While drawing inspiration from classic spy works such as “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” “Mission: Impossible,” and James Bond, the actor also paid homage to 60s British Icon and former Alfred Pennyworth Michael Caine.
“Michael Caine played Alfred and he’s the one who said, ‘I’ll be a butler as long as he’s ex-SAS,’” said Bannon. “Because our story explores that, we owe that to him. So, there’s definitely a nod to him in the voice and such. I’m not playing a young version of Michael Caine, I’m playing a young Alfred, but if there were any there’s a nod to him.”
During our conversation, Jack talked about the daunting task of joining the likes of not only Caine but Jeremy Irons, Michael Gough, and the others as he shaped his version of Alfred, getting to play inside the incredibly detailed and heightened world of 1960s London, approaching a character with PTSD and much more!
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