Lloyd Owen

Lloyd Owen will star in the world premiere of Matthew Perry's play The End of Longing at the Playhouse Theatre.

We caught up with him before he opened in Good People opposite Imelda Staunton at the Noel Coward Theatre in 2014.

Date of birth?
14th April 1970

Place of birth?
Charing Cross, London

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA)

Briefly tell us how you became involved with Good People.
Jonathan Kent [Director of Good People] sent me the script asking if I was interested. I knew from about page 10 that I was - a cup of coffee with him at the NT sealed the deal.

Briefly tell us about the character of 'Mike' you play in Good People.
Mike is a working-class boy made good. He comes from South Boston and is the first member of his family to "get out" and go to College. He is a Reproductive Endocrinolgist. And he thinks he's funnier than he is.

What was your first stage performance?
St Mary's Church Hall, Cub Scouts Christmas show - I played a chef with a rolling pin. No idea why.

What roles would you most like to play?
Macbeth, George (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf), Lenny in The Homecoming, Iago, Cleopatra...

What's the best advice you've ever received?
A friend quoting Walter Matthau to me, "All a guy needs in this business?.....Fifty lucky breaks".

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
Diamond dealer.

What are your favourite after-show haunts?
Two Brydges, The Delaunay, the saddle of my bike that gets me home...

Who are your favourite actors/actresses/singers/groups?
Imelda Staunton, Lorraine Ashbourne, Susan Brown, Angel Coulby, Mathew Barker. (Editor's note: These are Lloyd's co-stars in Good People!!)

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
Mum & Dad. "I've missed you".

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favourite authors?
The Unwinding by George Packer. Favourite authors: Raymond Carver, Ted Hughes, Primo Levi, Richard Holloway, David Profumo, Philip Roth, Antony DeMello, Bruce Chatwin....

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favourite movies?
Last film: Tracks. Favourite movies: Falling Down, Downfall, A Separation, Bridesmaids, Goodfellas, The Lives of Others, The Big Lebowski, Aristocats, Pelle The Conquerer....

Favourite TV programs?
Boss, The Wire, West Wing, Modern Family, Phoenix Nights, Toast....

Favourite holiday destinations?
Highlands of Scotland, Morocco, Californian road-trips.

Do you have any superstitions?
None. Touch wood.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
Radio 4, Kirsty Young, and a hat.

What are your future plans?
Trying to keep up with Imelda Staunton for the next five weeks.