If there’s one thing former Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole can understand about taking on his new spy role it’s specs appeal.
He’s set to star as Harry Palmer in ITV’s remake of The Ipcress File, taking on the role Michael Caine made famous in the ’60s. And it was Caine’s classic bespectacled look Cole eventually settled on as perfect for a man dealing in the shady world of espionage.
“It does a certain amount of work for you when you can hide behind a good pair of spectacles,” reflects Cole, 33, explaining how he “tried on every pair in the shop” before stumbling upon Harry’s distinctive look.
“Where Harry is dealing with all these unscrupulous individuals and having all these tricky conversations and interactions, the glasses are a great thing to sort of hide behind,” he says.
Along with a twisting, paranoid plot, the forthcoming incarnation is packed full of intelligent one-liners thanks to series director and McMafia creator James Watkins and the writing prowess of Trainspotting’s John Hodge.
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Initially pressing play on Sir Michael’s original performance, Cole says it wasn’t long before he found himself pressing pause on the film. Recalling an instance where he found himself “trying to do a Michael Caine impersonation without actually realising it”, the actor swiftly decided that some doors should remain firmly locked. It’s a tale that sees Cole step into the shoes of the ducking and diving court-martialled soldier.
Described by Hodge as “a man that is aware that the whole world is skewed against him”, Palmer is unexpectedly recruited as a British spy as an alternative to prison time. He starts work under the watchful eye of intelligence agency chief William Dalby (Tom Hollander).
Himself a Japan prison camp survivor, despite their differences, Harry and William have far more in common than each cares to admit.
“Dalby is definitely fun,” says Hollander. “He’s sort of the headmaster, I suppose. But he’s also conflicted, slightly jaded (and) living quite a complicated life”.
Describing how William and Harry regularly “attack each other” for being representatives of their opposing classes, Hollander notes the way in which the “class enemies” soon come to realise they’re actually “dancing on the same little pinhead”.
“You’ve got a fun bouncy castle to jump around on if you’ve got a taut, witty script,” says Hollander. “John and James were very up for developing the character in collaboration with the actors. They were very receptive – which doesn’t always happen.”
The Ipcress File, ITV, tonight, 9pm
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