Home is…
London. Home feels like an early morning walk by the river. I’m an early riser and if I can get out before anyone else and have a minute by the river, that’s perfect. So I’d say home is an early morning somewhere along the Thames.
What was your first flat in London?
It was in Kentish Town on a great street not too far from the Pineapple Pub. I grew up in Hammersmith, but when I first moved out there was a bunch of actors living in north London who I got to know on jobs. Having grown up west, I thought I’d try north, and I have such fond memories of Kentish Town.
What was your first job?
Acting. I was only 10 when I got my first film role, in Peter Pan. A casting lady came around to my school looking for lost boys and I guess a bunch of us looked lost. Suddenly we were embedded in an audition process and that’s how I got my first job that started me on the path. We shot in Australia, we went away for a long time on this mad adventure, eight months. When I came back, I thought, I’d like to try that again — pirate ships, bows and arrows, I’ll have a bit more of that, please.
George MacKay in Peter Pan
Where would you recommend for a first date?
The French House in Soho. It’s a vibey spot and you can’t use your phone in there, which I think is helpful for a first date. There’s a great energy to that pub, there’s an intimacy to it. It’s a good way to get to know someone if you can squeeze into a spot by the bar or at a table. And if it goes well, you’re surrounded by other spots to move onto.
Which shops do you rely on?
I’m not a big shopper, to be honest. It really is just groceries with the family, various local supermarkets. That’s the honest answer.
What’s the best meal you’ve had in London?
The Bull & Last in Kentish Town does a really good Sunday roast.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I’d make all public transport free.
Who is the most iconic Londoner?
Marc Bolan. He very sadly died not too far from where I grew up in west London. I love T-Rex, but I watched a documentary about him and was surprised when I found out he was a hippie and a mod before that. He went through all those iconic London style tribes.
Where do you go to have fun?
Honestly, just being with my kids, they make me laugh so much. And around any table with my mates — that can be in the corner of a pub, or in someone’s kitchen, wherever.
George MacKay as Edward Ferrars in the brand new Sense & Sensibility with Daisy Edgar-Jones
Focus Features LLC/Alex Bailey
What’s the best thing a cabbie’s ever said to you?
A guy once told me there’s only one road in the W1 postcode. Everything else is a street, a crescent, an avenue or a mews. And that one road is Tottenham Court Road. This might have to be fact-checked. Do I ever get recognised? No, not too much.
What’s your favourite work of art?
I love the National Theatre as a building. I love the Brutalist style. Same with the Barbican. I would consider those buildings as works of art.
Where do you exercise?
Pure Gym. That way you can go anywhere. For actors, there’s something about staying in the middle of being in shape then you can kind of go up or down into whatever a role asks for.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Probably good pub grub, because they are expensive. A Sunday roast is not to be sniffed at.
Getty
What are you up to for work?
I’m in The Animals, a short film which is premiering at London Film Festival. It’s written and directed by Calvin Dunbar and it’s about a man called Miles who is in the seven-year itch stage of his relationship and feeling inadequate in comparison with his friends. What’s compounding it are these attacks — their friends’ home was invaded by attackers in animal masks, but the man in the couple was able to fight back, which sparked new life into that relationship. Then he finds out there’s more to these attacks than he thought. It’s about insecurity, masculinity, couples… Calvin’s got his own voice, it’s surreal and funny and packs a punch.
When you’re in need of headspace where do you go?
For a walk along the river or the park. Just for myself but also if I’m working on something. I like learning lines on a walk, or riffing on something. I was coming back from a project recently and we flew over London and saw how gargantuan it is. I love it so much as a city and I feel so proud when people talk of London warmly.
The Animals has its world premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival as part of the I See Myself shorts programme on October 16. Tickets: whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff