Born in Essex, Alex Hassell, 45, trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. He co-founded an experimental theatre group and was noticed by the RSC where he went on to star in Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Henry V and Death of a Salesman. On TV, he appeared in His Dark Materials and Rivals. He reprises the role of Rupert Campbell-Black in season 2 on Disney+. He is married to actor Emma King and lives in London.
What is your greatest fear?
Loneliness.
What is your earliest memory?
Kissing a girl through the window of a wendy house.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Obsequiousness.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Careless cruelty.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
On one of my first jobs, Cold Mountain, I got a wasp in my ear in front of Jude Law. He couldn’t see the wasp so just saw me freak out.
What is your most treasured possession?
My dad’s chair. He sat in it every single day and now I sit in it at my desk. I’ve realised the many ways in which I think about acting have been massively informed by his being a vicar and the way he talked to people, and sitting in his chair is really important to me.
Describe yourself in three words
Driven, sensitive and playful.
What would your superpower be?
To play guitar. I think most actors want to be frontmen of bands.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Staying in my pyjamas until way after the postman has come.
What makes you unhappy?
Cleaning.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My very, very skinny ankles.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
Marlon Brando.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Literalness.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Ethan Hawke. I have thought about writing to him to see if he would be my mentor.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
My brother Joe, he’s nine years older than me.
What does love feel like?
Being accepted for who you are but also being encouraged to continue to grow.
What has been your biggest disappointment?
Not playing Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire. I am a huge Brando fan and a big Tennessee Williams fan and it’s a part I would love to have a go at. It’s possible I still could but I’m too old, really.
When did you last cry, and why?
On Monday in therapy.
When was the last time you changed your mind about something significant?
On Monday in therapy.
What keeps you awake at night?
To-do lists.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
I’m content enough in all three areas.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone with integrity.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
To keep trying to listen to yourself.
What happens when we die?
Nothing.
