Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Ben Whishaw believes it “makes sense” to date another actor because they understand how “bizarre” life can be.
The Black Doves star was previously in a civil partnership with composer Mark Bradshaw, but they split in 2022 and he is now in a relationship with his This Is Going to Hurt co-star Kadiff Kirwan.
And Ben thinks romancing someone in the same profession means they have a “great balance” because they are “forgiving” of one another when overwhelmed by work.
He told the Sunday Times Culture magazine: “It makes sense to go out with a fellow actor because it’s such a bizarre thing, really, to do with your life. And it’s hard, so I guess you can support each other, and that’s a great balance.
“And forgive each other when you’re stressed or anxious or just not there. I’m guilty of neglecting my partner when I’m working.”
While Ben’s hitman character Sam in Black Doves and Q in the James Bond films were both gay, he insisted he isn’t “hardline” about LGBTQ+ roles only being played by actors who are not heterosexual.
He said: “I do think it’s nice when that can happen. But I’m not hardline about it.
“Really, what we should be aiming for is a world where everyone can play anything – acting is all about transformation and imagination.
“It’s a little strange when there’s so much blurring between the personal and the public.”
But the 46-year-old actor admitted Sam’s sexuality was part of the appeal of the role in the Netflix spy drama.
He said: “Another appealing thing about it was that Sam is gay and it is rare to see not just a gay character on screen but a gay hitman.
“Spy thriller action shows have been traditionally very macho and heterosexual so I liked this spin. And it’s… It feels strangely true, psychologically, that all kinds of people have the capacity to be violent or to be crazy.
“Equal opportunities to be mad. I like that him being gay is not really important in the context of the show but it allows you to stretch notions of what a hitman can be. It’s kind of fun.
“I also love the friendship between Helen [Keira Knightley] and Sam. He gets caught up in her maelstrom, which feels very true.”
