How did series creator Michael Hirst and Showtime initially sell you on the role?
At first, of course, like anyone else, I laughed. I thought they wanted me to put on 200 pounds and grow a beard. And then I got the explanation about a sort of modern-day Henry. As an actor, I carry a certain amount of intensity, and they knew that when they cast me. They looked for it. They didn’t want someone who was wishy-washy. They didn’t want someone who was going to be charmingly lovable. At the end of last season, Michael said to me, “I think you’ve done it.” And I said, “Done what?” “I think you’ve created a king that I would not want to [mess] with.” Does that intensity stay with you off-set? It’s difficult for it not to. You work 12 hours a day, and you know you’ve got to get right back in it the next. I’m sure if you asked any of the athletes in the NBA playoffs about their work ethic, they’d say the same thing: It’s always game time. I play soccer twice a week to unwind a bit. I go home and turn on any mindless drivel that can take my mind off Henry, but I never want to s
