Tudors star Hans Matheson looks back for his future roles
TUDORS hunk Hans Matheson has revealed why he loves historical roles...no one recognises him when he's not wearing a codpiece.
The Scot saw plenty of the 15th century-style underwear playing Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer in the raunchy period drama.
He has also played the Earl of Essex in The Virgin Queen, Yury Zhivago in Doctor Zhivago, Emperor Nero in Imperium and Caravaggio in Bathory.
Hans, 33, said: "Putme in a costume and I'm your man. I must have one of those faces which seems to suit period drama more than modern films and TV programmes.
"But I'm not complaining, I love going back in time. I feel quite lucky because nobody knows who I am. I can walk about and have ordinary conversations with people.
"Can you imagine what it's like if people are always asking about your next role? That must be a nightmare.
"But if I get desperate I might start walking about with a wig on, or a codpiece, saying, 'Remember this?'"
The Tudors, also starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Natalie Dormer and Peter O'Toole, is a sexy take on the court of Henry VIII which has been a huge hit in both the UK and US.
And although the BBC show will return for a third series, Hans won't be in it.
After finishing the second he decided to take on other roles and has just finished filming the forthcoming miniseries, Tess Of The d'Urbervilles with Gemma Arterton. Hans, who was born in Stornoway on Lewis, said: "I play the villain of the piece Alex D'Urberville, which is good because I generally play saints and do-gooders.
"I've gone to the dark side - and it's much more fun.
"Playing characters who are wonderful and beautiful is hard because you don't feel like that most of the time...well, I don't.
"It's like this whole heart-throb nonsense. It's flattering but that's not how I feel in the morning. It's something that goes with the job."
Working with Gemma, who starred in the remake of St Trinian's and will soon be seen in ITV drama Lost In Austen and the new Bond movie, reminded Hans of working with Keira Knightley.
They starred together in ITV's version of Dr Zhivago in 2002, just before she shot to international fame and fortune in Pirates Of The Caribbean.
He said: "Keira has grown since Zhivago. It's no surprise because everyone thought, 'Hang on, there is something about this girl.'
"She has this presence on the screen that is mesmerising. Gemma is a very bonnie girl and, like Keira, you do get a sense she is going places.
"She's got so much fire in her - she is so much more than a Bond girl."
Hans is now taking a break and he's hopeful of returning to Scotland to catch up with family and friends.
Although he grew up in London, he returns to Lewis regularly.
He said: "I feel very deeply connected to the people. There's sense of community lacking in the world generally and there's nothing more important."
In Tess Of The d'Urbervilles, which will be screened on the BBC in the autumn, Hans is once again in costume.
Hans loves living in the past and he admits he wants to take over from David Tennant as TV's top time traveller Dr Who.
He said: "I wouldn't mind giving that a go but what I would really love to do is to get back on stage and do some of the great Shakespeare roles.
"That's my one burning ambition - and that's even further back in time.
"Maybe what I should do is get a time machine - or just borrow the Tardis from the Doctor."
The Tudors is on BBC2, Fridays at 9pm.
Ooh, and I decided that it was time for me to stop lurking and actually contribute something to the forums (again. I have periods of lurking).
And so underrated. I think the last programme he was in was The Virgin Queen Some random pictures:
). Gemma Arterton (who also stars in St. Trinian's as well as the Bond movie) plays Tess d'Uberville. It screens on BBC1 on September 14th and the DVD will be out on October 27th. Anyway, here are some production stills from the mini-series. They're from hansmatheson.org (more pictures available there).
