After landing his breakout role as Tariq Masood in SPOOKS, Shazad Latif has been popping up everywhere. And with the return of the new season of Penny Dreadful on 3rd May, he’ll be back on our screens taking on the iconic role of Jekyll and Hyde. Here, we caught up with him for a chat about his recent work.

 

You play Chandra Mahalanobis in the upcoming ‘The Man Who Knew Infinity’ movie. Did you know much about the man when you took on the role?

No. Chandra was a great mathematician in his own right. But the focus in this film is Ramanujan. I’m there to be his friend in the story.

TMWKI features such a well seasoned cast, what was it like to work with them? What was the atmosphere like on set?

Again another wonderful and lucky experience, watching Jeremy Irons and Toby Jones discuss a scene was a joy.

 

This is also another time we’ll see you acting opposite Dev Patel. What Do you think it is that draws you both together?

It’s just the way it happened I guess. I’ve played his rival and his friend. What next? I think our energies work nicely together.

We’re all very hyped up for the new season of Penny Dreadful. We saw a short clip of you looking very menacing in the trailer, what can we expect from your character (the infamous Jekyll and Hyde)? What’s your technique for getting into such a character, especially when you’re essentially playing two?

Expect emotional duologues between me and Frankenstein played by Harry Treadaway. Lots of dark science. Expect a brilliant new take on this wonderful character thanks to John Logan.  A lot of focus for such a role. An intense time on set. Exploring Angels and Demons can be scary.

What is your dream role?

No dream role as such.. Just the dream of working with the best directors and writers, I would love to be in an Asghar Farhadi movie, a Jacques Audiard movie, Steve McQueen, Paul Thomas Anderson.

 

You’ve played in a number of period pieces as well as more modern dramas. Which do you prefer?

I love doing both modern and period. I really do love a family drama. Played out in an epic sense.

Shazad – What is your FAULT? 

My fault is my anger. Jekyll and Hyde’s fault. My friends and family keep me grounded though. I’ll be alright.

 

Shazad can next be seen in Penny Dreadful on Sky Atlantic from 3^rd May, and you can follow him on Twitter.

 

Photography Jack Alexander

Styling Felicity Gray

Grooming Shamirah Sairally