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Hugh Bonneville: From dress-up to Downton

British actor Hugh Bonneville achieved global fame for his role in Downton Abbey. But rejection has always been something he’s had to deal with too — sometimes in unusual ways.

As a boy, British actor Hugh Bonneville started dressing up in his father’s old clothes and putting on plays at home. He booked his first professional part as Ralph Fiennes’ understudy in Hamlet, and later his celebrated roles in Iris, Downton Abbey and the Paddington films. He talks about his unique method of handling rejection, how some people expect him to be like his pompous character Lord Grantham, and about coping with his father’s dementia. (A longer version of this interview was first broadcast in November 2022)

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: Maryam Maruf

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

(Photo: Hugh Bonneville. Credit: Getty Images)

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27 minutes

Last on

Sun 29 Jan 2023 22:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 28 Jan 2023 09:32GMT
  • Sat 28 Jan 2023 19:32GMT
  • Sun 29 Jan 2023 00:32GMT
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  • Sun 29 Jan 2023 22:32GMT

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