Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2013 | Page 22

INTERVIEW

Julian aged 13 as Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream

magical other job that you can pick up
one day, and drop the next to return to
acting.”
Julian has appeared in well over 20
films, possibly the most famous being
‘The English Patient’ in 1996, which
won nine Oscars, more than any
other British film. It was directed by
Islander, the late Anthony Minghella,
who cast Julian in the role of Madox,
and to his delight allowing him to
share screen time with friend and
actor ‘hero’ Ralph Fiennes, who was
nominated for the Academy Award of
Best Actor.
“I am lucky that I have been involved
in some outstanding theatre shows;
one or two rather good films and
even the odd good television, which
is the bread and butter of any actor’s
life. Good jobs have come along, and
although I may never have been a star
in my own right I have enjoyed being
an actor, and I have kept going. And I
have worked with a lot of my heroes,
both actors and writers,” he modestly
reflected.
“I don’t think it matters whether you
are doing a film, television show, stage
play or radio, if the script is right it
is equally pleasurable, although your
approach towards each one is slightly
different.
“I have always been a dramatic
actor rather than a comedic one.
Initially I never thought of acting
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Ian Holm, Julian as William Pitt in the Madness of King George and John Wood in 1994

Appearing with Ralph Fiennes in The English Patient in 1996

as entertainment at all, but more
therapeutic and psychologically
developmental for me. So I was
more into introverted characters like
William Pitt the Younger, who I played
in ‘The Madness of King George’.
“But as I have got older and maybe
resolved some of my personal issues,
I have become more interested in the
entertainment aspect of acting, and
hopefully I will do more comedy in
the future.”
Julian’s versatility has also
embraced ‘voice-overs’ for many TV
commercials, and he jovially revealed:

“In £ per minute it is the best pay an
actor can make! The enjoyable thing
about the acting life is that you never
know what is around the corner.”
The 54-year-old still comes to the
Island whenever work schedules allow.
He recalls: “Caroline, my godmother,
was absolutely right when she said I
should spend time here, because it
was the perfect place to come with the
children when you are normally holed
up in London. We would be here
for weekends, and it meant two days
of relaxation and escape, as well as
endless beach holidays.”