Stuart Martin in conversation with Giorgia Ribaldone for French Fries. An open-heart narration of his career in the movie industry with a focus on his role in “Miss Scarlett and The Duke"

The Scottish actor Stuart Martin stars in the popular crime drama ''Miss Scarlett and The Duke'', created by Rachael New and originally broadcast on Alibi last March. Together with his fellow co-star Kate Philips, they play a pair of Victorian detectives. ''I got a page and realised it was something different to what we usually get with Victorian or detective shows. It was funny and witty, surprising, and cool. I was desperate to do it.'' comments Stuart, who feels a real connection with the role of Inspector William Wellington, aka the Duke. He spoke genuinely with us about his path, his ambitions and the hard knocks he had to overcome during his career. Although he has now dabbled in several series, from Jesse Armstrong's crime satire Babylon to Medici: Masters of Florence with Dustin Hoffman, he retains deep humanity and an open eye to the future. 

Interviewed by Giorgia Ribaldone / giorgiariba

When did you realize you wanted to be an actor? Was it a natural choice? 

I could just never decide what I wanted to be when I was young. I was constantly chopping and changing, but the thing that always came back up was wanting to be in films and telly. It definitely wasn’t something that was a possibility, it wasn’t like we knew anyone that was an actor or in the industry, so it seemed a bit daft. For my family it wasn’t like a real thing or job that you could do. Then, I remember one time, when I was about 17, my best mate said: ‘‘why don’t you just do it, you can’t do anything else and you’re always going on about it. Just give it a go! if it doesn’t work out, what have you lost?’’ And that was it. 

What were your first jobs? 

Mostly bar-work and waitering. I loved those times. I felt like a proper actor: living in London, skint, working in restaurants in Covent Garden and getting pissed with your pals while you work, auditioning and sometimes getting parts (but mostly not). For a lad from a wee town in Scotland, it was brilliantly exciting and fun.

Climbing the ladder of success, did you experience many hard knocks? 

Lots, and still do. We like to think our job as actors can sometimes be hard, and yes, it can be. There’s a lot of rejection and that never really changes. The further on you get, you still have the same amount of rejection. Well, I do. Tape after tape and meeting after meeting that you hear nothing back from, even if you have spent days working on them. That’s just the way it is! However, when you get the job, a job you desperately want, my god, it’s like winning the lottery. I love it, and it all pays off! I’m a strong believer in ‘’what’s for you, won’t go by you’’. What’s right for you won’t go past, and the ones that do go past aren’t the right ones, even when you desperately think they are when you don’t get them at the time. 

What is the greatest accomplishment in your career? 

Great questions these by the way! I think I definitely feel proud that we’ve managed to buy a house in what is notoriously (well, to my parents) a very unsteady profession. And my wife and I can provide a nice life for our family and kids. As an actor you are constantly thinking you’re never going to work again, and I’m sure one day that will be true for me. And I’ll be ok with that. I feel like I got to do all these amazing things that I dreamed of as a boy, roles that I would watch on tv and idolise. If it all ends tomorrow, and people realise I can’t act, I’ll be happy with what I got to do. 

Do you have an idol? Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting him/her? 

Billy Connelly. And no, sadly. I’ve got to meet some amazing actors I grew up watching, idolised as a boy. Kevin Costner and Dustin Hoffman. It blew my mind. 

Do you usually watch yourself on screen? How does it feel? 

I sort of have to, I find it quite useful to see when I’m shit. 

What are the main takeaways from your work experience with Dustin Hoffman in “Medici: Master of Florence”?

HOOK! Ah man, he’s just a legend. He is the loveliest, kindest, funny man. Very generous, with his time and himself. I just loved sitting between shots with him and chatting about stuff. Pinch yourself stuff. He’s a dude. 

Talking about your new series as co-lead actor “Miss Scarlett and The Duke”, how would you describe the relationship between the two protagonists? 

Difficult, with a big splash of love. There’s so much love and admiration between the two of them, but they drive each other mental. 

Tell us more about your character. Do you feel a connection with the Duke? 

I do actually. He just sort of says it how it is and goes with whatever emotion he’s feeling in the moment, often apologising afterwards, but he does apologise when he’s in the wrong. I respect the fact he just goes for it. Zero to ten, then back down again on the pissed off scale. 

What do you think about that historical period, the early 19th century, in London? 

I love it. I live in London, and pre all this Covid-malarkey, I was in town all the time. You’re surrounded by that history, in the buildings and streets and bridges. It’s cool doing research and seeing how it all came to be. The Victorian’s were savvy, they did amazing stuff in a short period of time. Victoria led. 

What made you want to be involved in the production? 

I loved the scripts. Rachael, our amazing creator, writer, showrunner, god, is brilliant. Really brilliant. When I was reading the scripts the first time, I got a page and realised it was something different to what we usually get with Victorian or detective shows. It was funny and witty, surprising, and cool. I was desperate to do it. 

Tell us a funny anecdote about the backstage of ‘’Miss Scarlett and The Duke’’? 

I ripped 4 pairs of very expensive custom-tailored cashmere trousers with my big arse. 

Do you believe it is the right time to be an actor? 

I think it’s a tough time to be anything right now, but everyone’s in the same boat, and we’ve just got to get through it. The worlds turned upside down a bit just now, but after this, being an actor will again be a wonderful experience. Even if that is for a short time, I feel bad for the young mob of actors coming into the industry now. It’s not fair! In general, of course, there are tough times. And even if you don’t end up doing all the things you want or dreamed of when you set out, or just work in a restaurant in London for a few years then do something else, what a wonderful time you will have had with amazing experiences. In terms of work, we have more tv being made now than ever before. The industry keeps changing, but there will always be jobs. 

What are your good resolutions for this 2021? 

Oh, good one. Maybe drink less than I did in each of the lockdowns. And just see family and pals. Actually, scrap that. Drink more than I did in lockdown while seeing family and pals.