Spotlight interview with actor Royce Pierreson from The Irregulars on Netflix on The Rakish Gent

Grooming - Charley McEwen (represented by Frank Agency)

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you will know that Netflix has just dropped a new show. One of the biggest new Originals of this year, The Irregulars is a bold, new interpretation of the classic and timeless Sherlock Holmes story. However, unlike previous iterations, Holmes & Watson are not the centre of the focus, instead that is a bunch of misfit youngsters that are recruited by Watson to assist in investigating strange crimes in London.

Aside from the supernatural, the casting is one of the things that makes The Irregulars fresh. Dr Watson has always been quiet, short, mild mannered and quite frankly, a little boring. Royce Pierreson brings none of these qualities and reimagines Watson as a much cooler, suave, strong and silent Dr Watson. Not only that, he is one snappy dresser. Royce Pierreson is no stranger to TV shows that have captured the imagination of the public. Currently filming on season 2 of The Witcher, the actor had a leading role in Wanderlust opposite Toni Collette and in Murdered By My Boyfriend with Thandie Newton as well appearing on the incredibly popular BBC’s Line of Duty.

How much of a challenge was it to completely reinvent a character as iconic as Dr Watson?

Well he is being described as “sinister” which I am not sure that I agree with as there is nothing villainous or cartoonish about him. I wanted to create the impression of a character that has been very hurt by his past and has been living with his demons. Because he is quite closed off, he gives this outward impression as being sinister. I really enjoyed that element, as well as the fact that he is a black man in Victorian London. Even though it is not mentioned in our show, which gave me something to really develop about Watson.

To create your own version of the character, how did you deal with all the wealth of evidence that there is about him already?

I never really try to get too influenced by stuff like that. I saw it as a chance to create a new character that I was playing. One of the things that I discussed with the Costume Designer Edward when I saw the types of materials that were being considered for costumes, and I thought about a character wearing these great, wonderfully detailed pieces that was a bit of a chancer, that had experienced life and that could quickly adapt to a new situation. So, again, it is never mentioned in the show but I thought of him as someone that has been around the world and been many different people.

Did you enjoy working in that period with a supernatural twist?

I think in this period it's nice to be able to see the divide. The Irregulars gives us, as my character says, an insight into “the disreputable part of London”. You see it in the duality between costumes in characters like Leopold and Bea. It was really special to be able to create our version of London.

So much of Dr Watson is about Holmes. How did you and Henry work to create the energy that we see on screen?

Firstly, Henry is so intelligent. I had seen him in lots of shows and was a big fan from The Inbetweeners and I grew up with that show. I had always wanted to work with him and always wanted to play Watson and it was great that they both happened really early on. He’s dedicated to his craft and fun as well. It meant that we were able to cut through all of the rubbish that you could have when you are trying to develop a partnership. We see them in the present day of the timeframe of the show, as well as fifteen years previously when they were the energetic irregulars. They have a really strong bond and live like a married couple, and it was easy to have that fun with Henry everyday.

Knit - Oliver Spencer, Corduroy jacket - Richard James

How easy or difficult is to work on ensemble dramas like The Witcher and Line of Duty?

Coming into a show when you all start the journey together is always easier because everyone is discovering one another and trying to find their feet and you work together to try and create a story within a world. On an already established show, you are the new kid and you kind of have to hit the ground running. I would say though, that you should remember that you got the job for a reason and then you have to turn up and bring it.

Initially, what drew you to a career as an actor?

It didn’t really hit me when I was older and I never thought about it when I was a kid. When I was young, I knew that I wanted to make a lot of money, because I never had any and I wanted to be as comfortable as my friends. I just wanted to give my Mum and my family everything. When I discovered Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire at around 17 and just wanted to be him. I soon realised that I couldn’t be him, but I could be an actor. I was really drawn in by being able to play any different person at any given time and from then onwards, there was no other thing that I could do.

What are you working on next and at the moment?

I’m currently shooting season 2 of The Witcher, which is about to wrap. Filming has been stop and start because of the pandemic. I also run a production company and we just signed our first deal, so we have a TV show in pre-production that I will star in too, so its really exciting and it’ll be my second project as a producer.

And finally, what makes a rakish gent?

For me, he is a classic man about town.

Quick fire questions

Ideal travel destination - Greece

Best store in the world - Argos

Gadget of choice - Headphones

Go to pair of shoes - Boots

Brand/ designer of choice - Tom Ford

Favourite fragrance - Armani Code

Essential grooming project - Afro comb

Recommended app - Calm

Icon - Denzel Washington

The Irregulars is currently streaming on Netflix.

Follow Royce Pierreson on Instagram.

SPOTLIGHT: Mr Royce Pierreson