The former Lovejoy star is one of the big names of ITV’s new period drama Doctor Thorne which starts tonight.
Scripted by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, it’s based on Anthony Trollope’s classic novel.
Snobbery is one of the themes and Ian, who plays Sir Roger Scatcherd, says he can see something of a return in his profession.
“I came up in the 1960s when all of that went out of the window,” says Ian, 73.
“Now we’ve got it back again. Today, no working class kids can afford to go to drama school, so it’s all the people who have come through at Eton, Harrow, Cambridge and Oxford.
“No longer do they give grants towards young actors, so we’re seeing the age of the gentleman actor back again.
“That’s not to say they’re not good. But it doesn’t make for an all-round mix of actors.
“I’ve no idea if I would have made it coming through today.”
Tom Hollander and Rebecca Front also star in the three-part adaptation.
Money is another of the themes and Ian, who has been working non-stop in the States where he now lives, says he’s lucky that’s never been a massive concern.
“You don’t think of money when you’re young,” he confides.
“You just carry on with your next job. It never bothered me at all.
“I’ve been married three times, so that will tell you something.
“But I can’t remember a time when I worried about having no money.
“Maybe I should start worrying about it now I’ve reached the sunset, twilight years.
“You just get on with it. Money isn’t the be all and end all – but it sure does help.”
Doctor Thorne, ITV, Sunday 9pm.
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