Izzard on what it was like to portray Bertie, heir of Queen Victoria.
BackstageOL’s Dave Morales sat down with Eddie Izzard in this backstage interview to talk about his role in the biographical drama, Victoria & Abdul.
In the interview, Izzard shared what it was like to play Queen Victoria’s son and heir, Bertie, Prince of Wales, who was not very fond of his mother’s friendship with an Indian clerk named Abdul Karim. “Bertie wanted to be king, and this guy [Abdul Karim] had a relationship with Queen Victoria… He is angry about this guy,” the actor explained. “My character is not a nice character.”
The film’s synopsis:
Abdul Karim arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favor with the queen herself. As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity.
Victoria & Abdul hit theaters September 29th. For more from Izzard, check out the full interview below!
