Once We Were Spacemen
Episode 6: Once We Were Jousters with Mark Addy
Hosts: Nathan Fillion & Alan Tudyk
Guest: Mark Addy
Date: December 10, 2025
Episode Overview
In this warmly irreverent episode, Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk welcome British actor Mark Addy for a deep and delightful conversation spanning his path from rugby fields and theater stages in northern England to starring roles in iconic films like The Full Monty, A Knight’s Tale, and Game of Thrones. The trio reminisce about wild times in Prague, reflect on the oddities of Hollywood, discuss the nature of acting, and share stories of camaraderie, craft, and the quirks that come with an international career.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Days: Football, Rugby, and Finding a Path to Acting
- Mark candidly shares his teenage dalliances with sports (“I tried [football]. I was a bit useless. Rugby…was my game,” [03:16]), noting that rugby’s physicality suited him.
- His exposure to theater at York Theatre Royal during a school placement provided a pivotal spark, leading to backstage work and, eventually, drama school in London.
- "I did three weeks work placement, like an internship at York Theatre Royal...I just loved it. I was there with creative, funny, artistic people." [04:14]
- Alan and Nathan empathize with the transformative power of theater and the lasting bonds formed at drama school (“They're the only people you have in a place the size of London” [05:23]).
2. Craft and Growth: Theater vs. Film and TV
- Mark discusses the rigorous, performance-focused curriculum at RADA—“by the end of it, you’d done 35 shows in front of a paying audience” [06:22]—and how British actors often "learn their craft" on stage.
- The group explores the difference between the immediacy and audience feedback of theater, and the more fragmented, ephemeral nature of film and TV acting.
- “There’s something about being in the same room as an audience and having that immediate response…” [09:21]
- Alan reflects: “If I’ve done too many films and television, I’d always be like, I gotta go do a play because I gotta get back into the craft of acting again.” [08:45]
3. Breakthrough Moments: The Full Monty and Gaining ‘Profile’
- Mark recounts how pursuit of a West End debut led him reluctantly to seek higher-profile TV/film roles, culminating in landing The Full Monty:
- “I got an episode of this, a couple of episodes of that...then auditioned for this film called The Full Monty that came along and everything just sort of went haywire after that, really.” [10:29]
- The unexpected global resonance of The Full Monty—including in Japan—surprised him:
- “Reading the script I thought, I’m not sure this is going to play outside of Yorkshire...but to be...big in Japan...” [11:57]
- He describes the surreal promotional tour across the US, marked by radio “shock jock” antics:
- “There’s no reason for them to be stood there with no clothes on. You’re on the radio!” [16:27]
4. Hollywood Oddities: The Flintstones and Universal’s Persuasiveness
- Mark details how he initially refused, then finally accepted the part of Fred Flintstone—thanks to the persuasive mention of “executive producer Steven Spielberg.” [18:55]
- On set, he marveled at the physicality of the production: “They built the Vegas strip in a quarry in Sun Valley...everything was, you know, in camera. There’s very little, very little added on.” [19:44]
- He recalls his “stupidest press question”:
- “So Mark, in this movie you get to drive a Bronto crane. Have you ever done that before?” [20:33]
5. A Knight’s Tale: Prague, Jousters & Jokes
- Alan and Mark reminisce about filming A Knight’s Tale in Prague:
- On British humor: “We call it taking the piss...if you’re not familiar with it, it can seem very, very rude...By the end of shoot, [Alan] was fully on board and was taking the piss out of the rest of us as well.” [21:50, 22:33]
- They share anecdotes of adapting to local culture—cheap beer, raucous camaraderie, and odd encounters:
- Mark: “Managed to kind of drag [Alan] away...he didn’t realize he was being absolutely robbed. Completely mugged. But I think, well, we got you away before they managed to…” [30:22, 31:37]
Memorable Quote about Heath Ledger:
- Alan: “Heath had me move in with him to take care of me, him and Heather Graham. They were my helpers...He was somewhat older than me. Even though he was younger...he could be like, 'hey, you need help. Let me take care of you.'” [32:24]
6. Game of Thrones: From Pilot to Phenomenon
- Mark explains the Game of Thrones casting process and the relative obscurity of the source material in the UK at the time:
- “At the time, the books had a sort of cult following in America, but nobody in the UK had heard of them.” [37:06]
- On preparation: “The character description...was Robert Baratheon, once a fearsome warrior, has now grown fat, drunk and lazy. And that was all you had to go on.” [38:09]
- Mark describes the culture shock of the show's eventual global reach—being recognized in the street, even without costume [42:24], and reveals the practical logistics for actors working across continents and storylines.
7. Philosophy of Acting & Career Reflections
- Mark reflects on his approach to characters:
- “I’m more interested in the heart of whatever character I play is me...It’s me, but it’s just a different version of me. That’s my kind of philosophy.” [45:12, 46:11]
- Advice to aspiring actors:
- “Get as much experience as you can...just watch actors that you like and see how they handle a scene...90% of this job is rejection...Once you’ve auditioned for it, forget about it. Onto the next thing. Always forward.” [46:38]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “There’s very little gnawing away at my very little mind.” – Mark Addy [00:30, 46:11]
- “There are actors who like to be a bit of a chameleon...I’m more interested in the heart of whatever character I play is me.” – Mark Addy [00:00, 45:12]
- “You don’t really get a good career until you take off all your clothes for somebody.” – Alan Tudyk [11:39]
- “[On being a drum major] The drum major being the guy at the front with the mace who tosses it up in the air and twirls it around and generally shows off and can’t play a musical instrument.” – Mark Addy [48:09]
Important Timestamps & Segments
- [03:16] – Mark’s sports origins and transition to theater
- [04:14] – First exposure to professional theater
- [06:22] – RADA’s “artistic boot camp”
- [10:29] – How The Full Monty changed everything
- [16:27] – Absurd US radio promotions and first impressions of America
- [18:55] – Accepting the role of Fred Flintstone
- [21:50] – First impressions of Alan Tudyk on A Knight’s Tale
- [30:22] – Alan nearly gets pickpocketed in Prague
- [32:24] – Heath Ledger’s kindness and friendship
- [37:06] – Game of Thrones beginnings and pilot reshoots
- [46:38] – Mark’s advice for aspiring actors
- [48:09] – Mark’s childhood as a drum major
Getting to Know Mark Addy
Something fans don’t know:
“As a youngster I was the drum major in our scout band. The drum major being the guy at the front with the mace who tosses it up in the air and twirls it around and generally shows off and can’t play a musical instrument.” [48:09]
Tone & Takeaways
The episode is full of warmth, humility, and very British wit. Mark Addy is self-deprecating and forthcoming about both the luck and the learning in his career. Nathan and Alan are enthusiastic, collegial, and prone to affectionate teasing. The spirit of camaraderie runs strong through tales of Prague misadventures, backstage wisdom, and memories of lost friends. For listeners, the episode offers both an inside look at iconic productions and honest, encouraging advice about perseverance and authenticity in the arts.
For More
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