“My name is Olaf Peterson. I’m a boar in bed,” is the popular cult quote uttered by Mark Williams in the no less cult series Red Dwarf (1988). The BBC and Dave’s British science fiction sitcom is set in space more than three million years in the future on the mining ship of the same name. Already there, Williams drew attention to himself. In our country, TV viewers also know him as a priest investigating crimes in the series Otec Brown (2013–2022), this British detective series based on the stories of the writer Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936) has been broadcast since January 2013 by the BBC, in our country by Czech Television. However, he is best known for his role as Arthur Weasley from the Harry Potter saga (2002-2011). The head of the red family works here at the Ministry of Magic in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts field and curiously examines every ordinary human object. What his representative revealed to Bleska, you can find in the following lines.
The Chamber of Secrets has been reopened and the enemies of the heir should fear… Mark Williams has appeared in Harry Potter since the second installment, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002).
Autor: Warner Bros., Vertical Ent.
In the past, you have tried the professions of waiter, carpenter, builder, electrician, gardener or livestock inseminator. Did these diverse experiences in acting help you?
Mark: “Yes, absolutely. Because I like to make my characters real, I don’t just want to ‘pretend’, I want to actually be able to do some things. Having experiences other than just being an actor is important to me.”
It’s been a few days since the news of the death of the representative of Hagrid from Harry Potter, your colleague Robbie Coltrane (†72), went around the world. What was your first thought when you heard about it?
Mark: “That was terrible news. Robbie and I spent a lot of time together and I was saddened when he became seriously ill. It’s a loss. A big loss. We’ve already had to accept a few, a lot of wonderful people I met on those films have left. And everyone is missing, each one has made a mark in our lives.”
In the Harry Potter films, you played the inquisitive father of the Weasley family, who was interested in Muggle things, that is, objects from the world of ordinary people. What human invention or thing do you think is the best in real life?
Mark: “There are! The main ones? Penicillin, I think. Probably birth control as well. Anesthetic, printing press. Definitely an airplane and a propeller…” (laughs)
Is there anything you have in common with the character of Arthur Weasley?
Mark: “Sure. Just that interest in Muggle things, or if you like – curiosity. You know that kind of curiosity where you want to get to the bottom of everything? I try to bring her into every character, because that’s really me. And curiosity is what moves humanity forward, not just as characters in stories, but in reality. Curiosity is my driving force!”
While we’re at an event celebrating fantasy, let me ask you too, what role does it play in your life? Do you like to dream?
Mark: “I hope I don’t disappoint anyone, but no… I’m not really a fantasist, more of a realist. But I read fantasy literature. And movies? I haven’t seen much from this genre even though I love them. What I can’t miss is Star Wars, I look forward to every next story and enjoy them every time I see them. So my cup of coffee is more science fiction than fantasy.”
Mark Williams as Catholic priest Father Brown of St. Marie in the fictional Kembleford, a connoisseur of human souls and confessional secrets with a penchant for solving crimes, who is rather unhappily supported by the local police inspector.
Autor: BBC One
You are also an enthusiastic cook, what do you like to serve your guests the most?
Mark: “It depends on who I host. I’m still looking for the best recipe. But I prefer to present food that I call peasant, simply country… It has a strong, natural taste of ingredients from the countryside. And I bake excellent bread, I really enjoy making it. And I also like to use seasonal ingredients in everything.”
Where will your fans be able to see you in the near future, maybe even here?
Mark: “The tenth season of Father Brown is currently about to start. We have been filming ten new episodes since mid-May. It will soon be heading to the screens of BBC One in the UK and BritBox in the US.”
Recall one of Williams’ memorable scenes from the Harry Potter saga:
Mark Williams first appeared as Arthur Weasley in the second part of the wizarding saga, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). • VIDEOS Warner Bros., Vertical Ent.
Father Brown is also popular in the Czech Republic. By the way – do you know our country? And what, if anything, interested you?
Mark: “I like the Czech Republic. She is very interesting, so many things! Your industry, scientists and also writers… Of course, Kafka comes to mind. And your architecture! All those historical buildings and modernist novelties.”
And conversely. If any of us were planning a trip to Britain, what do you think they should not miss?
Mark: “Gardens, definitely gardens! Anywhere. I have never seen anything like English gardens anywhere else. I’ve traveled all over the world and there’s nothing like it anywhere else. They are extraordinary! Gardening is almost our national passion.”