Game of Thrones veteran Tobias Menzies talks new role on The Crown

Tobias Menzies has been very busy as of late thanks to his role on Netflix’s The Crown. After two seasons, the series has swapped out several of the previous actors to reflect the now-aging members of the English royal family. Stepping in for Matt Smith, Menzies is now playing Prince Philip.

Of course, fans may recognize Menzies from some of his other prominent roles, including Edmure Tully on Game of Thrones and the awful Captain BlackJack Randall on Outlander. Speaking to Esquire, Menzies spoke about how he prepared to play the royal role of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. I can only imagine how nerve-wracking that must have been, considering the Duke is very much alive.

Anyway, Menzies began by watching a 1984 interview with the Duke of Edinburgh on YouTube, which really helped get him into the mindset. “I started dreaming about this interview,” he said. “The physicality and vocal quality [are] a massive part of the role [because] they’re so visible. Everyone thinks they know what they sound like and how they move.”

"I don’t think it’s a life I would like. To go into all those rooms and have everyone be tongue-tied and shy. I think that’s where some of the dodgy comments come from: the temptation to get something going, however ham-fisted. There’s an energy about him, he seems hotter than the Queen."

One of the episodes from The Crown season 3 focuses on the Moon landing, something with which Prince Philip was absolutely enamored. The episode shows him swooning over the astronauts and watching every moment of the event. “It’s obviously part-ridiculous, but it’s touching to see the vulnerability of that thinking,” Menzies said. “He’s a character who is energetic and active and in his highly ceremonial role. He’s spent his life opening things and cutting ribbons.”

Menzies is absolutely phenomenal in this episode, and I think it may snag him a nomination come award season. And remember, you heard it here first.

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And as we inch towards the later years of Queen Elizabeth II’s rule, things are starting to get more complicated, gloomy, and at times dark, which is something Menzies is keeping in mind. “I think it feels heavier, like we’re moving into the middle age of this story,” he said. “It’s less romantic and it feels more like the hard work of sustaining this institution. A little darker. [Pauses] It’s good.”

You can check out season 3 of The Crown on Netflix now, and see just how seamlessly Menzies has taken over the role of Prince Philip.

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