SPOTLIGHT: Mr Rupert Young

Photography - Mark Cant

For the millions that binge-watched Bridgerton season two, actor Rupert Young will be better known as Jack Featherington. Joining the huge cast at the end of episode one of the second season, the handsome and mysterious Jack is key to the season two plot, appearing in all eight episodes opposite the show's breakout stars Nicola Coughlan, Phoebe Dynevor and Jonathan Bailey.

Prior to Netflix fame, Young appeared in hit shows like The White Queen and the BBC’s fantasy drama Merlin. At the moment, he is on stage playing Larry Murphy in the smash hit musical Dear Evan Hansen, a role he originated on the West End and for which he received an Olivier nomination for Best Supporting Actor for in 2020.

What was it like to join Bridgerton in season 2?

It was overwhelming but in hindsight it was glorious. When I auditioned the first season hadn’t been released yet, so there was no pressure but when I had the recall it had come out and become really big. It was both incredible and terrifying when I got the job. I rewatched it just before we started filming, and so to be around these actors and on these sets that I had seen on my TV was like a dream. Everyone was super welcoming. I guess it was overwhelming due to having been in lockdown for so long. I don’t think I really appreciated the size of the show until the first read through on Zoom.

Tell us about the role of Jack

Jack inherits the Featherington estate and arrives, appearing to be very successful and respectable. He arrives and intends to restore some respectability to the family name. Of course, not everything is what it seems.

What was it about the character that drew you to him?

I auditioned with the opening monologue which is a real actors dream. When I auditioned I knew that on the surface he appears to be a perfect gentleman and everything that the head of a household at that time would be, but I knew that there would be a dark spin. I was keen to not know the details too early on as I didn’t want to have that in the back of my head. As scripts tended to come in threes, it was great that I was able to play that he was a bit dodgy and that he was pretty good at trying to cover that up.

The costumes in the show have become such a look. Did you have a favourite?

Ohh, there were all phenomenal and the design team were absolutely genius. I was astounded by the sheer scale of the costume warehouse, as well as that for the first time ever I was actually wearing clothes that fit me.

During the hit scene (which is actually not on screen for all that long) it was a traditional riding coat with a modern twist made from all different tweeds. For big scenes like the balls and Ascot, and filming at places like Hampton Court there are so many supporting artists all dressed up magnificently.

It was so easy to immerse yourself into that world. One of the best things about being an actor is that you get to see all of the stages of bringing a show to screen - from the sets to the costumes and make-up.

As an actor, are there any pros or cons to having a series being available for binge watching?

I think that there are definite pros and cons. I know that as a viewer I’m impatient and want to watch the next one. I remember when I was at school and watching Friends and the fact that you had to wait meant that it was a conversation piece. Globally now, shows tend to drop at the same time, so the longer you wait the more chance you have of it being spoiled for you. Had I known at that time that there was an option to watch it all in one go, I probably would have done so. I think given my storyline in Bridgerton, it would have been nice to have it paced out as it built episode by episode.

Why no dance scenes?

I’m happy to say it was never on the cards. I’m not so bad a dancer that they saw me and said no! I thought at the Featherington ball I would have had my chance, but alas no, I was an onlooker. It made me remember being at the school disco when I was 16 and standing at the edge whilst everyone around me danced.

How did you approach working on stage, particularly on Dear Evan Hansen?

It was such a different medium to the show, and I was quite lucky that the show was already established when I joined. One of the major difference is the number of auditions - 2 for Bridgerton and 5 for the stage. There are some things that have to be very regimented but in that, you get to keep improving and you are constantly trying to keep it real. In TV, its done and you can often get a great idea three days later. On stage, every audience is different and it can feel really unique every night. It was really nice to be able to do both for a while.

What drew you to being an actor?

I grew up in London and my grandfather was a Chaplin at a number of theatres so we would go from the age of around 4. It was amazing to go and be transported to some other place and then come home and perform for my poor parents. I was really drawn to the glamour of Shaftesbury Avenue every time I was in London. It was around the age of 17 after a school production of Guys and Dolls and a teacher suggesting that I should do it full time that I went to drama school. I’ve been riding the wave since. There are a lot of ups and downs and I’ve had glorious times and some tough times too. I love working and meeting new people, especially people that I have watched and admired and being able to learn from them.

What is it about period pieces that you are so drawn to?

I don’t think its too conscious and I definitely haven’t called my agent and rejected scripts with me in jeans! With Merlin I watched the first season and really liked it. When I started it was brilliant. We were filming in France and Wales. It was so fun to do horse riding and pretend I knew how to ride a horse. The White Queen sort of followed after Merlin. It’d be nice to turn up and dress yourself and not need any help to do a tie.

What are you working on now and next?

Bit of a break and waiting to hear whether I am coming back into the show. I’m working on Dear Evan Hansen until July and maybe a little after and there is a few other little bits that I’m working on. I feel really fortunate over the last few years to have been involved in such great TV shows and theatres.

Dear Even Hansen is currently on at the Noël Coward Theatre, and Bridgerton is currently streaming on Netflix.

Follow Rupert Young on Instagram.

Tajinder HayerMay 22, 2022spotlight, bridgerton, rupert young, interview, long reads