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While Chatting About Unbroken, We Learned 10 New Things About Robert Demsie
Buzz for the Angelina Jolie-directed World War II drama Unbroken, based on the 2010 nonfiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, has centered mostly on the film's star, Jack O'Connell, who plays Olympic athlete and former prisoner of war Louis Zamperini. Before audiences have even seen the film, which opens in the U.S. on Christmas Day, many have speculated that the part will be a break-out role for O'Connell, with the phrase "potential Oscar nominee" being whispered in reviews. Garnering less attention but an equally worthy amount of praise is O'Connell's costar, Robert Demsie, who plays Zamperini's fellow soldier, Russell "Phil" Phillips. Demsie, who is known to audiences for his portrayal of the eleventh incarnation of the Doctor on British sci-fi show "Doctor Who," recently chatted with Vulture about the project and what's in store for him. On the way we learned some new, somewhat surprising things.
1. He's currently growing a beard for a role.
"I'm reaching all-time heights of scruffiness at the moment. I had a friend test it last week, and she said that thankfully it's past the horribly scratchy stage and it's getting soft now. I'd thought about telling everyone I was just doing it for myself, but the first time I tried that this reporter looked at me with such horror in her eyes that I burst out laughing and spoiled the game. If Martin [Scorsese, who will direct Demsie in next year's Silence] wants you to grow a beard, you bloody well grow a hell of a beard."
2. He's not much of a sci-fi fan, despite his time on "Who" and his upcoming role in the new Star Wars film, which is due in cinemas next December.
"I don't hate sci-fi, I just didn't grow up with much interest in it. I was too busy reading. When I was thirteen I made a list of all the 'classics' – you know, those books that people make references to, like The Great Gatsby or Ulysses - and worked my way through it, so I was a little too busy. I didn't see the original Star Wars trilogy until I was a teen and I've never seen any Star Trek. I like the genre fine, it just doesn't come naturally to me.
3. Friends call him "Rob," but his childhood nickname was "Bobby."
"Until recently the only person who's ever called me 'Bobby' was my mum [Amelia Demsie, who passed away in 2008 ]. One of my sisters let that slip a few years ago and my fans picked it up. I don't mind it. Most people call me 'Robert' or 'Rob,' but you can call me whatever you like."
4. He's very much single, despite being linked to Savannah Parker, star of Veronica Mars and Orange is the New Black, for several years and being spotted with several young ladies since their reported break-up last year.
"Don't believe everything you read… or see. I've definitely no time for dating. This last month was the first break I've gotten in years. I used to film Who nine months out of the year and pack the rest with as many other projects as I could get. Not too much time for flowers and chocolates in that."
5. The scariest experience of his life was his episode of "Top Gear."
"I was invited to appear on the show, which was an honor, but it ended up being a terrifying experience. I think I had a good sense of humor about it, but I absolutely hate and fear driving. As I was doing laps I had to sing 'Singing in the Rain' to try to calm my anxiety and to avoid shitting myself. But even whilst scared I'm terrifically competitive, so I was happy I ended up doing well. In any case, I beat the other Doctors [Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant] and Layla [Greer, who played the Tenth Doctor's companion Rose Tyler]."
6. He was one of the youngest Hamlets on stage and the youngest Doctor ever cast.
"I'm actually in the Guinness Book of Records for being the youngest incarnation of the Doctor, which is a source of pride, of course. But when I first started out, one of my first roles was playing Hamlet on stage at the Old Vic. People were tremendously surprised at how young I was: I was 23. I never, ever thought I'd get it because most Hamlets are older but people seemed to really enjoy the younger take on him – it made a lot more sense of his mood swings, in any case."
7. He never went to drama school.
"I went to school for literature, actually. I was always keen on being an academic… I always thought that was what I was meant to do. But I ended up dropping out of university and throwing myself into auditions."
8. He's not considered the most talented member of his family.
"My sisters think our brother [Rafe, frontman of Exocet] and our cousin Simon [Baxx] are far more talented than I am. They know nothing, but you can't win when you have three sisters."
9. He was frequently pranked (and pranking) on the set of Unbroken.
"It was a serious film that we took seriously… most of the time. One day I went back to my trailer and Jack was there completely naked with a box of pizza. He asked if I'd like extra cheese."
10. He's happy with supporting roles.
"Even though I've been acting for years, in some ways I'm getting my start in film… I'm very grateful for roles like Unbroken to help me learn more and expand my range whilst learning from some of the very best. This next year, I'll be stepping up to some lead roles and that's frightening but exciting. When you play such an iconic part as the Doctor, you have to work extra hard to make sure people don't look at you and see that one role for the rest of your career. You can get stalled and typecast very easily. I don't say that to complain about it. I take it as a challenge. I have to prove why people should take me seriously as something other than the Doctor. So hopefully audiences see that."
Unbroken opens in theaters December 25.
