Richard Coyle has shown himself equally at ease in comedy
as drama.
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On television, his Welsh brogue was so convincing when
he first played sex obsessed geek Jeff in 91Èȱ¬ TWO's quirky comedy Coupling,
that many viewers and fellow professionals took the accent to be his own.
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They wondered why off-screen he was known to support Sheffield
Wednesday.
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His versatility is clear from parts such as John Ridd
in 91Èȱ¬ ONE's Lorna Doone, and the title role in the eerie series Strange,
in which he played a former priest determined to hunt down dark forces.
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Now Coyle takes on the mantle of Catholic activist Robert
Catesby.
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"I'm a history junkie and read about the past voraciously.
I'm also a big fan of Jimmy McGovern's work so couldn't wait to see how
Jimmy handled the Stuarts.
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"The gunpowder story is out there in the popular
consciousness - we all grew up with Bonfire Night, it's a symbol, it's
a fascinating turning point in our history," says Coyle, for whom
McGovern's script was a revelation.
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"Jimmy really understands passion and motivation.
He made me look at the young men behind the Gunpowder Plot in a completely
new way.
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"Jimmy points up the harshness of their lives, their
youth and their absolute belief in the Catholic faith.
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"It's these devout beliefs, and years of persecution,
which feed their passion, and fuel their sense of righteousness.
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"All this helps them justify the taking of innocent
lives. It's an extreme resolve.
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"In reality it was an act of terrorism, and has uncomfortable
parallels with today, which I hadn't really clocked before.
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"I think most historians agree that Catesby was an
angry and passionate man," comments Coyle. "What Jimmy develops
is his drive - he's an all-or-nothing guy without being turned into a
mad and bad zealot."
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However, forethought about his role didn't extend to packing
for a Romanian shoot.
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"Last August was a really busy time for me and when
I got the call, I just threw everything into my bags: jumpers, winter
woollies, the lot.
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"When I arrived the humidity and the baking heat
was unbelievable - I literally had to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe.
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"Then working all trussed up in doublet and hose
demanded mind over matter," laughs Coyle.
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So what did the cast do to cool off and unwind? Coyle
replies cryptically, "We had a lot of fun, let's just say boys will
be boys."
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Richard Coyle was born and bred in Sheffield, where he
grew up with his four brothers, and remains the only sibling to become
an actor.
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As a career path it only occurred to him when he was a
student.
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After reading politics at York University, where he enjoyed
amateur dramatics, he left determined to study at the prestigious Old
Vic Theatre School.
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In an effort to raise funds, "I made a nuisance of
myself and gained my first speaking role in Franco Zeffirelli's Jane Eyre,
saying to William Hurt, 'Mr Rochester, Mr Rochester your house, Sir!'"
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Coyle is currently filming The Libertine, co-starring
with Johnny Depp, John Malkovich and Samantha Morton
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