Finn Bennett Talks Prequel Series ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

It’s the morning after Chopard’s glamorous gala dinner at Carlton Seashore throughout the Cannes Movie Pageant, and Finn Bennett is perched on a settee excessive above the Croisette inside the posh jeweler’s penthouse suite at Hôtel Martinez.

Alongside fellow honorees, the 26-year-old actor obtained a Chopard Trophy throughout the ceremony in entrance of an A-list crowd that included filmmaker Quentin Tarantino; jury members like Halle Berry, Jeremy Sturdy and president Juliette Binoche; and the girl assigned handy over the trophies, Chopard godmother Angelina Jolie. For sure, Bennett wanted a bit extra time to course of the fairy story night, one which got here after turning heads in such roles as Alex Garland’s Warfare, Issa Lopez’s True Detective reverse Jodie Foster and Joe Barton’s Black Doves reverse Keira Knightley and Ben Wishaw.

His profile is about to develop exponentially in 2026 when HBO Max debuts the following installment in its Recreation of Thrones universe with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In an interview on that couch, with a panoramic view of the French Riviera over his shoulder, Bennett talks about what it was wish to obtain the Chopard shine (surreal), his favourite a part of venturing into Westeros (a horse referred to as Xandor) and his new theatrical aim (the stage).

How are you feeling after final night time’s ceremony?

I really feel a little bit bit sleepy. (Laughs.) No, I really feel actually, actually nice. It’s going to take a minute to sink in, in fact, however we’re sitting right here overlooking the seashore, and it’s so glamorous and good. I received to sit down subsequent to some actually, actually superb those that I respect and revere, which was an important little bit of all of it. I really feel actually nice.

I may see your desk from my seat, and also you had been sitting amongst Angelina Jolie, Quentin Tarantino, jury members like Jeremy Sturdy, Halle Berry and Juliette Binoche. Had been you in a position to have a dialog with any of them?

I’m actually dangerous at going as much as folks so I made a psychological be aware to talk to at the very least 5 folks. I believe I reached 4. As quickly as I got here in, I noticed a British musician and author referred to as Akala, so I shook fingers with him. Then I met a British writer-director referred to as Molly Manning Walker, who I believe is simply good. After my speech, Jeremy Sturdy handed by me and he mentioned, “Congratulations.” I instructed him that I believed he’s superb and I’m such a fan. I additionally received to say goodbye to Angelina Jolie, which was one other. It was a very superb night time, man. I had some nice conversations. After the speech was carried out, it was a pleasant time to loosen up. It’s good when exhausting work pays off.

That work was on show within the clips reel. Was there a scene or a challenge that flashed up there that had been you most pleased with?

It’s at all times bizarre watching your self on digital camera, and I attempt to do it as little as potential. However one of many first issues that I did was a collection referred to as Kiri, and there have been some clips from that in there. I don’t wish to self-congratulate or something, however that was a very proud second for me. It kick-started all the pieces. I started working with a very gifted director [Euros Lyn] and actors together with Sarah Lancashire and Lia Williams, who’s now a very nice pal. And I’m nonetheless working. The whole lot has been implausible with the caliber of stuff that we’re doing however that was certainly one of my proudest moments as a result of it’s a terrific present.

I additionally think about it’s been nice to return off of Warfare, which gifted you this complete new brotherhood of actors …

I nonetheless communicate to these guys on daily basis.

The textual content chain continues to be going?

The textual content chain continues to be going. A few the fellows congratulated me [on this award], which felt actually, actually good. I’m filming one thing proper now, and as quickly as I end, I believe a dinner or perhaps a present is with a purpose to meet up with a number of of the fellows.

What are you filming?

I’m filming a Sky TV present referred to as Prisoner, which is a very, actually good slick thriller. I’m actually having fun with it. We’re in the direction of the tip of filming proper now. Such a gifted solid, a very gifted showrunner and a few nice administrators. I’m a supporting actor and I’ve had the privilege of watching our two leads, Tahar Rahim and Izuka Hoyle, give their all, 110 p.c, day in and time out. I do at some point of labor and I’m exhausted, however they do it on daily basis and it’s one thing to aspire to at some point.

I noticed the information that the Recreation of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is now set to debut in 2026. I’m certain you’ll be requested in regards to the present lots within the coming months, however would like to ask you some questions on it. Had been you a fan of the unique collection?

Sure, however I used to be fairly late to the get together. I watched all of Recreation of Thrones throughout lockdown.

Wow, good. That’s a terrific lockdown binge.

Lockdown was clearly actually depressing, however at the very least I had Recreation of Thrones. One of many nice issues in regards to the present — and the place a number of fantasy reveals faltered — is that it’s so political in taking a look at a sort of Conflict of the Roses setup between these nice and noble homes, utilizing such a superb caliber of European expertise. I do know there have been a number of People in there as properly, nevertheless it was largely European actors, and it was shot in Belfast or simply outdoors. It’s simply nice. I used to be an enormous fan. I additionally assume Home of the Dragon is without doubt one of the finest reveals on the market proper now. I’m actually pleased for these youthful actors who’re holding it up and placing up a very good struggle with the older actors, who’re cream of the crop. Simply nice, nice European expertise.

When your agent, Bella Wingfield, referred to as in regards to the audition, what went via your thoughts?

I believed I had flubbed it. I believed I had carried out such a horrible job within the audition and I referred to as Bella as quickly as I got here out and mentioned, “It didn’t go properly. It didn’t go my means.” She phoned the workplace of the stunning casting director, Lucy Bevan, and so they mentioned, “No, it went nice. It went nice.” I believed, properly, in fact they’d say that. I can’t keep in mind how lengthy the wait was however I roughly put it to mattress pondering I didn’t get it. Not an opportunity. After I received the decision, I actually couldn’t imagine it. Warfare was already booked in [my schedule], so I went to go movie that after which went straight on to enterprise into Westeros.

What was the enterprise like into Westeros?

A lot enjoyable. I did sword coaching, and my favourite half, which can sound actually boring, was using horses. I completely liked it.

Had you ridden earlier than?

No. By no means. Clearly, I’m not anyplace close to nearly as good as any of the stunt guys, however you do get pretty proficient. They’d inform me that I may come off the horse and sit within the greenery, however I’d stroll him round. Not fairly galloping however simply sort of slowly stroll him round and speak to him. It was fairly a pleasant expertise to have.

What was his title?

Xandor. He was an enormous, massive black horse. Very scary trying however essentially the most mild. As a result of they’re skilled inside an inch of their lives, these horses, they’re essentially the most mild and most type. They actually take care of you if you’re within the saddle.

What else stands out to you in regards to the expertise of filming the collection?

We filmed it in Belfast, which is the place my household is from, and I received to reconnect with a number of household I hadn’t seen for a really very long time. They’re from Newtonabbey and Belfast. We met very outdated pals of my father’s who mentioned they knew me after I was a lad, in order that was cool. I liked being in Belfast. We had a terrific crew that basically took care of us.

Has anybody given you any recommendation to arrange you for what’s to return when the present comes out?

No, not massively. I’ve slowly been bracing myself but additionally not anticipating something. If it doesn’t come, it doesn’t come. Hopefully, I’m fortunate sufficient to do one thing that can convey that sort of reception. All I can hope is that folks prefer it. We labored actually, actually exhausting on it. The leads are unimaginable, and showrunner Ira Parker is only a nice captain of the ship.

Did you watch any dailies as you had been filming?

No, no, no. After I did True Detective, my favourite factor that Issa Lopez — our author, director and showrunner — would do is that she would convey me over to the monitor. She would say, “Child, you see if you do that, that’s actually annoying. Don’t try this.” It was a small technical factor, and I actually preferred that. I believe in case you’re watching an excessive amount of, you get psyched out. And also you begin to over assume, “Why am I doing this?” Or, “Why am I doing that? It appears foolish!” I favor to solely see it when it’s all strung collectively. Clearly, I see a little bit doing ADR and all the pieces. However I’ve seen some thrilling stunts already and that was simply good enjoyable. I had a terrific stunt double. After all, he will get all of the credit score however I’d inform a number of those that’s me. (Laughs.)

What did you study from working with Jodie Foster on True Detective?

We had a three-week rehearsal interval, and I requested her what I needs to be doing to arrange. That’s what you do if you work with an unimaginable, unimaginable performer. She mentioned, “What do you imply? Go dancing?” What she meant was: Flip up, take the work severely. Be taught your traces. Hit your mark. Take the notes. Don’t take your self too severely. You don’t must dwell on this fiction you’ve created for your self. I believe some folks do, and so they get unimaginable performances from it. I’m unsure I’m a kind of folks. I want to strive it some day. However on this, I had seven months to maintain myself pleased. I discovered to take the work severely however not myself.

Sitting right here on the French Riviera after an evening like final night time, seeing all of the work you’ve carried out to date, have you ever given any thought to the place you wish to go in your profession from right here?

I simply wish to maintain working. I’ve been actually fortunate to work with one of the best of one of the best folks and I wish to maintain doing that. I wish to maintain making movies. I wish to maintain doing TV. I’d actually love to do some theater. I attempt to at the very least go to the theater each week. It’s an actual check of your power as an actor.

Have you ever seen something just lately that blew you away?

I noticed Jonathan Bailey in Richard II, which is phenomenal. He’s such a very good Richard II. He’s received all of the nuances, and it’s so superb to see somebody be capable to land a joke from centuries in the past. I additionally liked Retrograde on the Apollo Theatre, a present about Sidney Poitier. All of it occurs in a single room, in a single actually lengthy scene. A extremely good, phenomenal three-hander. Can’t miss.

Final query: I’ve to ask about our hosts for in the present day, Chopard. Inform me in regards to the Chopard watch you’re sporting in the present day…

It such a good-looking watch. It’s from the traditional assortment. I simply actually love a leather-based strap and that sort of rose gold colour. Simply good and easy. Very stylish.

Had been you a jewellery man earlier than this?

I do like my jewellery. I’ve a little bit clad right here, an Irish ring, and I’ve a fantastic necklace that I’ve taken off for in the present day. Chopard has been extremely beneficiant. The occasion they placed on final night time with all of that expertise within the room, it’s extremely beneficiant and so they actually care in regards to the arts and so they actually care about movie. It’s greater than jewellery. Possibly in a few years I’ll purchase the watch I used to be sporting final night time if it’s nonetheless out there.