I suppose I was about 15 when I started getting roles, and we have this thing at my school that’s a festival, and I did a play and I just thought, This is as much fun as you can legally have. And then I applied to drama school, which is quite a competitive business in England, and I managed to get it, and it boosted my confidence a little bit. It was a gradual thing, there was no epiphany moment.
(on what appeals to him in a woman) I appreciate a natural look, as opposed to too made up. Kindness and a generous spirit go a long way. And a sense of humor. It’s like medicine – very healing. A woman who isn’t preoccupied with superficial things, who knows what is real and important. Someone who is willing to slum it every now and then. But mainly, whatever makes her happy!
I like reading, free diving and hiking. But my favorite thing to do is travel anywhere in Greece. I love everything about that place.
(on getting ready for his role in The Host) The most effective part of my workout has been interval runs. That is where you power-up the treadmill and run as fast as you can for about six to ten seconds. Then you slow down for about 24 seconds, still keeping your heart rate up. You do this for a total of 10-15 minutes, depending on how conditioned you are. If you do it with the proper form, you’ll get a great overall workout, strengthen your heart and burn some calories. It’s intense.
[on preparing for his role in The Host] I have to go to the gym six days a week for my next movie, and I hate it. As soon as the session is over, I light a cigarette! I prefer London to LA: it rains, it’s sad but I like going to the pub after work and here people don’t have plastic surgery.
The problem with Hollywood is that, for actors of my age, you don’t really have plenty of choices. You have to wait until you are 30, 40. Even if The Host looks like Red Riding Hood, it’s a movie which is gonna do well, which means more work for me.
I play the guitar. I used to perform at school – and, once, I played in front of 650 people. I thought I did quite well – but, two years ago, a close friend of mine said to me, “Remember when you sang at school? You were shit!”
