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Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Freddie Highmore: ‘My Amazon Prime thriller doesn't make the assassin perfect'
'People still recognise me on the tube for roles I played 20 years ago. It's kind of mad.' One can only imagine what it would be like to be recognised around the world as a kid. But that was Freddie Highmore's reality when he soared to fame as a child star in films including Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and August Rush. Last year, the actor bid farewell to The Good Doctor, a medical drama he'd led for seven years. Now, the 33-year-old stars in the new Amazon Prime Video thriller series The Assassin, teaming up with British acting legend Keeley Hawes in what could be TV's most dysfunctional mother-son duo. Keeley plays former hitwoman Julie, who's forced to come out of retirement and reveal her secret profession to her grown-up son Edward, portrayed by Freddie. It's rife with action, excitement, twists and a whole lot of dry British humour, which Freddie delves into while speaking to Metro. One of the standout aspects of The Assassin is Edward's relationship with Julie. Freddie and Keeley, 49, have a brilliant dynamic together on screen, and the Bates Motel actor says that it was 'thrilling to get to go on this journey with her', having admired the Bodyguard star's work for years. 'The same goes for Harry and Jack Williams,' he shares, bringing up the writers of The Assassin, who also created the Jamie Dornan thriller The Tourist. 'This does what they do so well, combining the thriller, high-stakes, high-octane, twisty, turny type of storytelling, but with something more interesting and nuanced to say underneath it. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'They're also great at doing all of that with a sense of humour, and with a very British understated sense of humour too.' There's no lack of thrillers available on streaming platforms for TV fans to binge. But what makes The Assassin feel so refreshing is not only its wry humour, but also how relatable it feels, despite following the wild story of a hitwoman. '[The humour's] not too broad or too silly, but it complements the seriousness of it and gives it a bit of texture and nuance, and also keeps it quite real,' Freddie outlines. 'The characters are all accessible and approachable and definitely make mistakes. Even with Keeley's character, who's incredibly accomplished at what she does, the show doesn't try to make her impossibly perfect. I think a part of that is the sense of humour and that British dose of self-deprecation.' Freddie's character Edward balances out his mother's recklessness with his overly cautious nature. The journalist also has secrets that he's keeping hidden, and has spent years wondering who his father is, a mystery that his mum refuses to reveal. In her four-star review of The Assassin, Metro's TV Editor Sabrina Barr writes : 'The new Amazon Prime series created by The Tourist's Harry and Jack Williams isn't just packed with gripping twists and stunt choreography that'll have you on the edge of your seat. It's also funny. And not just enough to spark a light chuckle. It's funny in a quintessentially British fashion, with humour that's dry and relatable. I was sucked in straight away.' You can read more here. Having grown up in London, Freddie has spent a great deal of time in the US with his career. In 2024, he bid farewell to medical drama The Good Doctor after playing the lead character Dr Shaun Murphy for seven years, an experience he 'doesn't think he'll ever have again'. 'I feel very lucky to have had that opportunity in my life,' he says. 'It feels a bit like graduation, where you have such fondness and love for being in that environment, and there's a part of you that can imagine staying there forever, but there's another part of you that wants to do other things and is excited about the opportunity of moving on.' Nonetheless, when he's on his home turf, he's still frequently recognised for the roles he played when he was a child. When he was a kid, he didn't think that he knew at the time that he wanted to act forever – but on reflection, he feels as though it might have been 'predestined'. When asked what he's recognised for the most in the UK versus the US, he answers: 'I would say things from when I was younger still resonate from what must be 20 years ago now, which is kind of mad. On the tube, people will still remember those roles.' The entertainment world has changed drastically since Freddie first started acting professionally compared to now. So new child stars emerging, such as the new Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Harry Potter TV reboot, will have a far different experience of fame than Freddie did. 'It is a very different time, and it's so hard to give advice,' he says when asked. 'I was very lucky that it never became the centre of my life. I went back to school, and that was always the focus. I went off to university and took time off to do that, so acting became an active choice as something to return to, as opposed to something I fell into as a kid and then ended up doing without really thinking about it. 'I was lucky to have that quite strong sense of separation. But it was also a time where social media wasn't really a thing, or it had only just started to become one. So it was easier to maintain that distance and to step back from it and not feel like you were constantly on show.' During our interview, I had to bring up one of my favourite films of his – August Rush, the 2007 musical drama that saw him act opposite the legendary Robin Williams. 'I was so lucky to get to work with him,' he says as he remembers his late co-star fondly. 'I just remember him bringing such a positive energy to set and being so enthusiastic, and also just so effortlessly funny, and bringing the entire crew together and having everyone rally in the same direction because of the force of nature that he was.' For August Rush, Freddie learnt to play the guitar. For The Good Doctor, he felt as though he was picking up medical knowledge. But in actual fact, he warns that if there were a medical emergency and someone tried to call on him for help, it would be a 'very bad idea'. 'I'd like to think that I picked up medical knowledge. However, my fear is that the knowledge I think I know is actually just a cheat in terms of how to make things look good and look like you're doing a particular procedure,' he admits. So I'd probably be worse placed than most people to try and help, because I'd think I know what I was doing, but I'd just do it completely wrong.' Now that Freddie is back in the UK, having always thought of London as home, he's excited to 'actually live here properly again', as well as to catch an Arsenal match when he has a chance. He would love to do more UK-based work, and would work with Keeley, Harry and Jack again 'in a heartbeat'. More Trending Being back home has also given him the chance to catch up on some prime TV that he previously missed out on. 'You know what I have been going through recently? A few more of the David Attenborough [shows]. Being back in the UK, I'm re-watching a few of those classics, and I feel like there's quite a few that somehow I missed when I was abroad. So I've got that on my list of things to work through,' he says. There's nothing like being in the UK and watching a bit of Sir David Attenborough, is there? View More » The Assassin is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'That cliffhanger was evil!' 7 sensational shows fans vow were cancelled too early MORE: Channel 4 fans can now binge 10 episodes of 'adrenaline rush' Belgian thriller MORE: 'Best crime thriller of 2025' tops Netflix charts with nearly 25,000,000 views
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Assassin star Freddie Highmore's life off-screen from rarely-seen wife to real name
Freddie Highmore is best known for his roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Bates Motel, but the British star has a fascinating life away from the screen Freddie Highmore, known for his role as Edward in Prime Video's thrilling series, The Assassin, is the estranged son of retired assassin Julie, portrayed by Keeley Hawes, who has also opened up on her parenting experiences. The British actor has been a familiar face since childhood, with notable roles such as Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Peter in Finding Neverland. Later in his career, he secured significant parts in ABC's The Good Doctor and Bates Motel. The Cambridge graduate also leads an intriguing life away from the camera, achieving much in his 33 years. Born in London, his mother is a talent agent whose clientele includes Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Imelda Staunton. His father, Edward Highmore, is a former actor, suggesting Freddie was always destined for the screen, reports the Express. Interestingly, he wasn't born as Freddie; his real name is Alfred Thomas Highmore. He uses his nickname, Freddie, professionally. An accomplished student, he excelled in Spanish and Arabic at Emmanuel College and later studied finance. While filming the first two seasons of Bates Motel, he worked at a law firm in Madrid during his year abroad. He briefly contemplated a career in law post-graduation. Regarding his personal life, he resides in London but shies away from social media, leaving his relationships largely unknown. He did reveal a close bond with Bates Motel co-star Vera Farmiga, even becoming godfather to her son. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2021, the actor disclosed that he was hitched. Keeping his wife's identity under wraps, he said: "I just still can't get over the terminology and the vocab, like a 'married man' just sounds very old and 'my wife' sounds very possessive. He did verify that his wife is British. The Assassin is available on Prime Video.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The Assassin's Freddie Highmore teases thrilling Prime Video role he says 'I'm back home'
The Good Doctor star Freddie Highmore has returned to TV screens in Prime Video's latest thriller series The Assassin The Assassin star Freddie Highmore teased his thrilling Prime Video role as he said, "I'm back home". The 33-year-old star, who began his acting journey as a child with roles in Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Arthur and the Invisibles, and The Spiderwick Chronicles, has made quite the impression over the years. As an adult, Freddie became widely recognised for his portrayal of Norman Bates in the horror series Bates Motel. His most recent acclaim came from playing Dr Shaun Murphy in the ABC drama series The Good Doctor, which concluded its run in 2024. Now, Freddie is captivating audiences in Prime Video's new edge-of-your-seat thriller series, The Assassin, which dropped in its entirety on the platform today (Friday, July 25). The six-part series, which comes from The Tourist writers Harry and Jack Williams, centres around a retired assassin named Julie (Keeley Hawes), who has spent her retirement years on a picturesque Greek island, reports the Express. However, the tranquillity soon turns to turmoil when her estranged son Edward, portrayed by Freddie, arrives seeking answers about his father, dragging Julie's perilous history back into the spotlight. The mother and son are then thrust into a harrowing journey across Europe, with their already strained relationship being pushed to breaking point as they struggle to stay alive. Alongside Keeley and Freddie, the cast also includes Shalom Brune-Franklin, Devon Terrell, Gina Gershon, Jack Davenport, Alan Dale, Richard Dormer, and David Dencik. In a conversation with Reach and other media outlets before the show's launch, Freddie delved into the complex backstory of his character Edward, shedding light on how it shapes his actions within the story. "He's just a good person who has made a series of bad mistakes," he shared. "Looking back, he would have done things differently, but he can't change that and so is getting himself into a messier and messier and more complicated situation, and he thinks about that a lot." The actor further explained his immediate attraction to the "inherent Britishness" of the series, particularly after spending years working in the US. "Compared to other things, I feel certainly, even if they don't have the most healthy relationship, Edward and Julie, it's probably better than Norman and his mother on Bates Motel. Although who knows what happens over the course of the show?" he said. "To me, it feels like a wonderful, blissful relationship that the two of them have. To me, the appeal, as well, in contrast to the things that I've done more recently in television, is something to celebrate the Britishness of it. "The Britishness of the humour and the understated humour. Often shows today are thought of in an international way and have to work internationally, and although this does, it's lovely that it's lent into an inherent Britishness of Edward and Julie." Freddie continued: "That dynamic feels very familiar and specific, rather than just general. That's one of the things that appealed to me was just doing something in the UK, having been away for a long time. "So, doing this with Harry and Jack and obviously Keeley, it's such a dream. [I'm] back home." Keeley also remarked: "It would have been a very different show if it had been an American version."
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
One Day in Southport: Heartbreaking, and a chilling insight into the new reality
Watching the 2024 Southport riots from across the Irish Sea, there was an obvious and awful sense of history repeating. Just as the stabbing of a child in Dublin in November 2023 triggered racist violence, so the fatal attack on a dance class near Liverpool was seized upon as an excuse for carnage in the UK. Children had died, cities were burning – and British politicians appeared dazed by the scale of what had happened. Twelve months later, Finding Neverland director Dan Reed has painstakingly chronicled these terrible events with One Day in Southport (Channel 4, 9pm). If only a film-maker of equal stature would turn their attention to the anarchy that gripped Dublin seven months previously. Alas, we wait in vain. He begins with a close-up on one of the survivors of the attack – a now 13-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons. 'My vision was going blurry and I ran across to this guy and I said to him: 'I've been stabbed, I think I'm dying,' she recalls of the brutal assault by Axel Rudakubana on the Hart Space, a community hub in Southport, a quiet seaside town 27km north of Merseyside. READ MORE 'I was struggling to breathe, and I saw my sister there and she was saying, 'Please don't die, please don't die'.' Her voice is heavy with trauma, and the viewer's heart will break for her and for the families of the three children who died: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged nine. What happened next was, of course, shocking but not surprising. Racists, thugs and 'citizen journalists' descended on Southport and whipped up hysteria against a local mosque. With police on the ground seemingly in the dark about Rudakubana, rumours that he was a Muslim immigrant began to spread. He was, in fact, born in Cardiff to a family from Rwanda, which is overwhelmingly Christian. Yet that was of little comfort to the terrified people inside the mosque in Southport. Reed isn't interested in blaming people and wisely avoids portraying Rudakubana as some sort of interesting or complicated villain ( he is now serving a 52-year murder sentence ). He wants to give a voice to the victims of the attack and to understand the anger that turned town centres across Britain into war zones. Those on the hard right tell Reed that their protests are not about race but about working-class people. 'The issue we are now fighting has changed. It ain't about race no more, it is about class,' claims Wendell Daniel, the black videographer who works with Tommy Robinson , one of Britain's most prominent far-right activists. However, chilling footage from around Britain suggests that the 2024 protests quickly descended into mob rule, as we see when another panicking videographer rushes back to his car after thugs surround his Asian wife. No Irish person needs to be reminded about racism in British society. Nonetheless, something has shifted since the pandemic, says Weyman Bennett, co-convener of Stand Up to Racism. Right-wing marches used to attract a certain type, he says – 'Billy No-Mates', middle-aged men, without friends or a purpose in life. Now, they are increasingly joined by women and young people, says Bennett – an entire swathe of society that feels abandoned, and believes people such as Robinson may have the answer. It's a terrifying thought. But then, as anyone who saw Dublin burn in November 2023 will know, it isn't really a thought at all, it's the new reality with which we are all going to have to come to terms and, sooner or later, perhaps, take a stand against.
The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Not just any old schmaltz fest as Tom Hanks is at his US Everyman best
*** TIME was when a Saturday night movie starring Tom Hanks would have involved an expedition to the cinema. Now you can see the double Oscar-winner for free, at home, in a film on general release not that long ago (as long as you don't mind the ads). Old Hollywood would think the business had lost its collective mind. A Man Called Otto began life as a Swedish novel and film before this US remake by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, World War Z). Tom Hanks plays a grumpy widower who thinks most of the world are idiots and a large proportion of them live in his street. Without Otto doing his morning 'rounds' and telling people off for poor parking and other crimes, it would be anarchy out there. So far, so Victor Meldrew. What are the odds, do you reckon, of Otto staying a grouch for long, maybe even doubling down on his crankiness? Perhaps in another movie universe, but on this planet, with this actor, forget it. Sure enough, a young family moves into the cul-de-sac and chips away at Otto's Easter Island exterior. Before you know it, he's doing good deeds left, right and centre. Among A-listers, what's left of them, only Hanks could get away with such an obvious schmaltz fest as A Man Called Otto. Tom Cruise would only attempt it if snow shovelling could be turned into a life-or-death stunt. Harrison Ford comes across as authentically grumpy, so that wouldn't be much fun. Clint Eastwood probably came closest in Gran Torino, though that too was a touch spiky for some. But Hanks, the heir to Jimmy Stewart as a paragon of decency? Perfect. Read more That said, credit to the Forrest Gump and Philadelphia star for sticking with the Swedish original and going to some very bleak places with the grief-stricken Otto. Otto, we learn from (too many) flashbacks is another in a long line of everyday American heroes to feature on the Hanks cv, but this one is interesting because he is ordinary to the point of almost being dull. What raises him aobve the norm is love, pure and simple. Hanks's son Truman does a fine job of playing the young Otto. It is keeping it in the family, but this is far preferable to the startling moment when Hanks appears as his younger self, complete with weird CGI face and unfeasibly dark hair. Besides staying true to the tone of the Swedish original, Hanks keeps a lid on the schmaltz by giving Otto a convincingly bad temper. Even though the targets are obvious - property developers trying to buy up the neighbourhood, etc - Hanks lets rip in spectacular fashion. As for the business model behind A Man Called Otto, it more than paid its way, being made for $50 million and grossing more than double that worldwide in cinemas. Nice guys like Hanks never finish last. Showing again Tuesday at 9pm on 4seven, and available to stream for 30 days for free on 4.
