In a more than four minute long interview Colin Firth and Robin J Schwartz discusses acting in general and playing the Earl of Wessex in particular. Colin looks very relaxed. He is a bit on the serious side but gesticulates a lot as he explains how he prepared for the role. At other times he is so exited that he sort of stumbles over his words. And sure enough, he also gets in two or three very sly, very dry jokes.

CF: Mmmmm

RJS: I remember thinking that it must be really exhausting... or really clensing?

CF: Oh, I would say it's was a fairly liberating thing.... really. I mean, the more rage and arrogance you can put into your performance, the more relaxed I think you'll find yourself between takes. You know - having to be charming all day, is what really can drive you crazy!!!

RJS: So why is it that people like to play villains over heroes, if you....?

CF: Oh... I think we all have a big, dark side, and it's forbidden to us in normal life. I mean, convention does not allow you to do it... and neither do ethics. And here is an area where you can just live that out! It's very healthy...

There is an enormous number of actors who play villains regulary, and turn out to be the nicest people. One wonders if perhaps there is a connection.

Mmmmm.... I think if you are behaving as an extremely nice person all your life, I think it makes you homicidal after a while!

CF: A lot! There were a lot. Two sometimes.

RJS: Really?

CF: Yea.

RJS: But you only had one.......

CF: .... I had the one... I took that exact earring I saw on... I think it was the earl of Essex in fact... a portrait of a man with a very spectacular - sort of flamboyant - earring. Mmmm.

It's a period when people were at sea a lot. And you could wear the price of your burial in your ear! If you were washed up on a strange island, you had enough gold in there to pay for your burial.... Mmmmm

RJS: But that is not what it was intended for, was it?

CF: Yes, I think it originally was. I'm told sailors wore earrings for that reason. In a period in history when the sailors were the heroes, this may actually have sparked up the fashion.

I mean, mens fashion very often followed military fashion. In Jane Austen's time, it was the cut of the soldiers clothes that influenced what the rest of the men were wearing.

RJS: Sure, although the cut of these [Elizabethan] clothes were rather uncomfortable!?

CF: Although, that is what people wore in battle........

..... You only get unlaced and have sort of flowing, fluffy sleeves and wear dignified pants if you are Joe Fiennes or.... You know, you have to be in a romantic position for that! They wouldn't let me get away with any of that! ;-)

CF: ....much better.... ;-)

RJS: ... if Viola was fertile! Nothing was ever said about her beauty. All you were worried about was how much money.... and....

CF: ...if she would breed! It's basically like the purchase of an animal.... Mmmmm.

RJS: Except to her face, you were very smooth. I noticed that!

CF: Well, there was.... ah, how smooth?? There was an expectation of a certain level of courtly behaviour. I don't think there went much effort into that.

I mean, you are expected to take your hat off, make your bow, and make a brief effort. Then he goes right in and kisses her. It's an assault ... really!

You know.... You get this gorgeous poetry pouring forth from Shakespeare, which makes the woman week at her knees. And then she says [to Wessex]: "What is it that you liked about me?" [Wessex replies:] "Eyes...no... um... lips...mmmm... whatever..." You know... and then he goes and kisses her!

RJS: [Laughts] ... and you had great fun doing it?!

CF: I did. Yea...yea. It was great fun... Mmmmmm

RJS: And I had great fun watching it! Thank you.

Wessex: Your father.... is returning from his estate to see us married two weeks from Saturday. You are allowed to show your pleasure...

Viola: But I don't love you my lord! /.../ Why me?

Wessex: It was your eyes... (sniff).. No ....er... your lips....