Actor Ian Beattie has been on stage, film and television for over 20 years. He’s best known for his roles on Game of Thrones as Meryn Trant and on the movie Alexander as Antigonus. I spoke to him at the Great Philadelphia Comic Con.

1:51 – Ian Beattie started acting as a child in a Northern Ireland circus. He kept at that for a while and then went to law school to be a barrister. But then he went to acting school in 1989. He spent a few years in LA doing theater but then went to Belfast and did stage and tv work here and there.

3:03 – His big break was getting on the movie Alexander but his biggest success was getting the role of Ser Meryn Tranth in Game of Thrones. That was a game changer.

3:34 – Experience was what changed his way of acting. He learned a lot with Alexander. He’s always been an intense actor and has always researched his roles including the accents. He’s done a few real characters and that’s helped him with doing research. He really likes doing historical characters. He really enjoyed his work on Alexander as Antigonus.

6:45 – He loves film and television and he loves being on set. He considers himself a good director’s actor and loves to be on the same page. Gabriel Burnham said that when you’re playing a role it’s vital to find the truth and make it your truth.

8:03 – He’s loved wearing the costumes in Vikings and in the Tudors. He’s inspired by fellow directors and actors. But he doesn’t have favorite actors or actresses that he loves watching.

9:22 – He’s most moved by strong scripts and stories. He likes the to find the realism of the time he’s in. he also likes to take in what others around him teach him.

11:24 – He’s always wanted to fly but then he figured out he was afraid of heights. He’s most inspired by people who have changed the world for the better.

12:03 – As a kid he loved Batman. As a teenager he loved Judge Dredd. He loved seeing Karl Urban and would have loved that role. But there are a million roles he’d love to play. He was down to the last two in a role and didn’t make it but anytime things could change. He was down to final selection in a Justice League role but they decided to go younger.

13:50 – If the audience spots you acting then you’re in trouble.

14:16 – On the last day of Alexander they were praying to a statue. He was on a two hundred foot ledge without railing and it freaked him out since he had only vision out of one eye.

15:03 – Everyone should always maintain their belief and stay hungry. Persistence pays and always practice while you’re waiting for a role.

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Guests: Ian Beattie

Host: Cris Alvarez