New role is a date with destiny for Bertie Cervel.
Landing one of the leads in the BBC’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell was the culmination of a near 10-year dream for Bertie Carvel.
But he admits it was a stunning surprise.
“I’ve wanted to play this part ever since I read the novel in about 2006,” says Bertie.
“I was given it years ago by friends who knew it was my cup of tea. They couldn’t have been more right.
“It combines so many elements that are dear to me a sense of humour, history and the literary tradition.
“I feel a real sense of destiny fulfilled that I was able to be a part of translating it to the screen.”
Bertie was in Matilda on New York’s Broadway when his agent got in touch to say the BBC were asking him to make an audition tape and send it off.
“I nearly fell off my chair,” he admits.
“I had always imagined that someone famous would get to play the part!
“Actors have to develop a pretty thick skin when it comes to disappointment, so I imagined all the possible scenarios.
“I thought my tape would never see the light of day but the director and producer flew to New York to meet me and see the show.
“And I imagined that the BBC would veto my casting in favour of someone with a higher profile but I guess those guys were all busy. Sometimes it all goes right.
“From start to finish, it has been a fairy tale.”
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