Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes highlight Netflix’s ‘Bodyguard’ FYSEE event

No one was more surprised that Richard Madden won this year’s Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series Drama for the new Netflix series Bodyguard than Richard Madden.  In a candid and jovial discussion with Variety’s Michael Schneider last night after the screening of the first episode of the British series at the Netflix FYSEE event, Madden, joined on stage by co-star Keeley Hawes, expressed his shock that he won, insisting he was taken completely by surprise.  By now, though, they both have accepted—and are thrilled by— how much people are enjoying this action-packed series from writer/creator Jed Mercurio.

Madden said what drew him to the role of Police Sergeant David Budd, who is assigned to protect Hewes’ British cabinet member Julia Montague, was Budd’s murky motives.  Mercurio has created a character with so many layers to him, even Madden couldn’t figure out when he first read the script if he was good or bad.  As an actor, he loved the challenge of digging through all the levels of this guy, one of them being how he deals with—or doesn’t deal with—his PTSD.  This is one element of the show that both actors are very proud of. 

But what makes Bodyguard such an addictive show is that the characters and their complicated backstories are only a small part of the whole of this show, which encompasses politics, crime, terrorism and romance in a very tightly-packed six episodes.  Hewes and Madden both agreed that, despite the fast pace of the show and their high stakes scenes, it was the quiet and intimate scenes they loved to shoot the most.  They loved working together and look forward to the chance to work together again. 

When prompted for any sort of official announcement from Madden whether there would be a second season or not, he assured us that he is just as interested in getting back to playing David Budd as we are all to see it.  So it seems more than likely that those who can’t get enough of Richard Madden playing the strong and silent protector will be very happy soon.  And, who knows, maybe he’ll even have an Emmy to sit on his shelf next to his Golden Globe soon.  He’d just better not be surprised if it happens.

Talking with Television Academy voters after the event about this season of TV, this is what I found out.

Female member of the acting branch (age: approx early 30s) She loves everything, but her favorites are:  Game of Thrones, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Ozark and This is Us.  She saw season 1 of Veep and never went back.  Never even seen Barry.

Female member of the commercials branch (age: approx. late 60s) Loves Homecoming best.  Also loves The Kominsky Method and A Very English Scandal.  Has ZERO interest in Game of Thrones.

Male member of the writers branch (age: approx early 60s) Loves The Big Bang Theory, he has so idea why it’s fallen out of favor with the Academy.  He hopes it makes a comeback for its last season.  His favorite of the season was actually Get Shorty, but he also loves Mom, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Barry.  Hasn’t seen an episode of Game of Thrones, but just recorded season 1 from when HBO re-ran it, so he intends to catch up eventually.  Was excited to watch Bodyguard, but was very frustrated that they spoiled what happens in the season for him.