My personal Top-7-List of Rory’s TV roles.
This is a completely subjective list, made for my own pleasure. The list may vary from time to time, but altogether I’m happy with it. He’s such a versatile and brilliant actor and he played so many different characters, so it’s difficult to choose. But I try my best.
1. “The Creature” aka Caliban, aka John Clare aka The Orderly in “Penny Dreadful”
His portrayal of this unhappy man, trapped inside this hideous body, desperately fighting for love and affection, broke my heart. And after A Blade of Grass I was completely hooked. And it changed my life - for the better. I started researching Rory and discovered a fascinating – and incredibly nice – man. So thank you John Logan for casting him!
His best TV role so far (and yet I’m highly sceptical about the PD Spin-off)
2. Stephen Lyons in “Years and Years”
Bloody hell, Russell T Davies really sends the audience to a Tour de force. Rory as Stephen, the eldest of four siblings, a rather wealthy financial advisor who looses everything. His money, his family. I love the scene when he realises that his Dad died. You can see the whole range of emotions he’s going through. Acting at its finest.
3. Michael Baker in “Count Arthur Strong”
I love this character. And I still think it’s a shame they cancelled the show. The desperate attempt of Michael to stay sane in all that madness is a joy to watch. My favourite episode is “The Affair”
4. Henry Bolingbroke in “Richard II.”
Rory and Shakespeare. There is nothing more to say.
5. Robert Lessing in “Quacks”
What a gloriously arrogant bastard. I think he really enjoyed playing such a narcissistic bugger. Sadly this show was cancelled after one season.
6. Craig Oliver in “Brexit”
Based on true events and characters, as we all know.
7. Prime Minister Callow in “Black Mirror”
Yes, the one with the pig. Scary to watch.
And there are so many other roles.. DCI Pence in “Guerilla”, he really scared the shit out of me in some of the scenes. Or as David Whitehead in “Southcliffe”. And so on and so forth. I think Rory deserves so much more attention for his talent and his skills.