During the first season of Shondaland's hit Netflix series Bridgerton, you may remember that we brought you the Bridgerton Cast Questionnaire, which introduced you a bit more intimately to the many women and men who make up the characters of the hit Shondaland show. It was a part-serious, part-silly question-and-answer rundown that shed some light on what makes these actors tick and what makes their characters tock. This year, we’ve brought the Questionnaire back, naturally, to make sure you’ve got your peacocks in a row now that Bridgerton’s second season has begun streaming worldwide on Netflix.
In this season of Bridgerton, it is not with veiled excitement that we are introduced to one Mister Theo Sharpe, played by Calam Lynch. Over on the industrial side of town — the wrong side of the tracks to the aristocracy — Theo, in his page-boy cap and working apron with his cheeky smile with those soft dimples, gives us all a little tickle, as well as Miss Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie).
As this love story (if it is indeed that) is much more complicated than anything we’ve encountered so far, we sat Lynch down with some important questions about him and about his character — who we hope is not gone so soon from our … ahem, Eloise’s … life.
What do you have in common with your character?
CALAM LYNCH: I don’t think Theo and I are too far apart. We’re both pretty hardworking, we both care about social justice, and we’re both capable of risking a lot for someone we like!
What do you not have in common with your character?
Theo has to deal with having lived on the outside his whole life, and I think that means he takes a little longer to trust people. I should probably be more like that.
What’s Theo’s favorite time of day, and why?
First thing in the morning, because that’s when he gets to see his favorite people.
This season brings another part of the world into the ton — is traveling important to you? What is a place or an experience that really imprinted on you when you were traveling?
I’ve never been to South Asia, so I’m definitely going to try and tag along with the Sharmas if they take a trip back to India! My university took a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Tokyo when I was 21, and three of my best mates and I were playing the lovers. That was an amazing experience.
Have you ever ridden a horse?
I had to learn for the Disney+ Black Beauty film I did a couple of years ago. We shot the film in some really beautiful parts of South Africa. I definitely won’t forget riding through those locations.
Is there a sport you’re particularly good at playing? And if not, is there one you’ve secretly — or not so secretly — wanted to try?
I’ve always loved football and still play whenever I can, but I’m convinced Theo could beat the Bridgertons at pall-mall any day!
Who inspires you?
All my closest people inspire me all the time. Beautiful acting always really inspires me too. Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza! I found that performance inspiring.
What advice would you give someone who wants to act?
Obviously, go for it! And just do it as much as possible. I didn’t go to drama school, but I still did like 17 or 18 plays at university, which taught me a lot.
Do you prefer to watch drama or comedy? Or perhaps your favorite is another genre altogether?
Definitely drama, because the best dramas are always funny too! Just look at Succession. [Both Lynch and Lady Mary (Shelley Conn) made the same point about the same show!]
Who was the person who most influenced you, and how?
I’d say both my parents. They are also actors, so we have quite a unique relationship because of that. I learn a lot from them.
What do you consider your best achievement?
Oh, man, I don’t know! I don’t think I’ve ever thought of life in those terms. I think I’m proudest of all my close relationships. They’re the things that really matter!
What in your opinion is the most exciting part of this work?
It’s all great! Honestly, what a scam that we are paid to do this job. I’d pay to do it! You dress up, hang out with really fun people, pretend to live out the most intense parts of someone’s life. … It’s all exciting.
If you weren’t an actor, what do you think you’d be?
I’d be stalking everyone at Arsenal Football Club, trying to convince them to give me a contract (despite not being very good at football). I did some gardening as a side job when I first left university, and I really enjoyed that. So, maybe a gardener? Or a printer.
Valentina Valentini is a London-based entertainment, travel, and food writer and also a Senior Contributor for Shondaland. Elsewhere she has written for Vanity Fair, Vulture, Variety, Thrillist, Heated, and The Washington Post. Her personal essays can be read in the Los Angeles Times, Longreads, and her tangents and general complaints can be seen on Twitter at @ByValentinaV.
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