Tom Hollander - 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans'

·1 hr 15 min·5 clips

Tom Hollander reveals how he landed the role of Truman Capote 20 years after first auditioning for it.

The episode begins with host Scott Feinberg introducing Tom Hollander, highlighting his career achievements and his role as Truman Capote in the FX series 'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans.' Hollander discusses his upbringing in Oxford, where his parents were teachers, and how music led him to acting through children's theater. He describes his first screen-acting job at 14, which gave him a term off school and solidified his desire to pursue acting over music. Hollander talks about attending Cambridge University, where he was involved with Footlights and acted in productions directed by Sam Mendes, alongside Nick Clegg. He reflects on his early career struggles, including not getting into drama school, and his breakthrough with 'Absolutely Fabulous.' Hollander details working on 'Gosford Park' under Robert Altman, emphasizing the ensemble cast and Altman's improvisational approach. He discusses his collaborations with director Joe Wright on films like 'Pride and Prejudice,' noting a line that Jennifer Lawrence later quoted to him. Hollander shares experiences on big studio films like 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Mission: Impossible,' contrasting them with smaller projects. He explains the improv process on 'In the Loop' with Armando Iannucci and Jesse Armstrong. Hollander talks about creating and starring in the BBC series 'Rev,' which won a BAFTA, and working with Olivia Colman. He describes his role in 'The Night Manager' as a multi-dimensional bad guy and his experience on 'The White Lotus' Season 2, where he improvised with Jennifer Coolidge. The conversation centers on 'Feud,' with Hollander revealing he auditioned for Capote 20 years prior and discussing the poetic nature of finally getting the role. He praises collaborators like Ryan Murphy, Gus Van Sant, and John Robin Baitz, and the ensemble of actresses. Hollander reflects on the response to his performance and what this moment means for his career at age 56.

As heard by us

Tom Hollander reflects on how bigger productions can feel both astonishing and strangely lonely.

Awards Chatter uses Tom Hollander's path from an early screen debut through theatre, arthouse film and major studio work to frame a thoughtful conversation about scale.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for Tom Hollander on the astonishing scale, and strange loneliness, of joining Pirates of the Caribbean.

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