logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Jonathan Pryce Shared Details of How He Conducted Research to Play Pope Francis in 'The Two Popes'

Edduin Carvajal
Mar 17, 2020
08:30 A.M.

Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce, also known as the High Sparrow in "Game of Thrones," opened up about the type of research he conducted to play Pope Francis in "The Two Popes."

Advertisement

Released in 2019, the film chronicles the time when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, currently known as Pope Francis, tried to convince the former Pope Benedict XVI to reconsider his decision to abdicate the papacy.

The "Two Popes" star couldn't attend his dad's funeral.

Jonathan Pryce on August 9, 2018 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images

Jonathan Pryce on August 9, 2018 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

JONATHAN PRYCE AND ANTHONY HOPKINS ON "THE TWO POPES"

Jonathan portrayed Pope Francis and Anthony Hopkins, who is also Welsh, took the role of Pope Benedict XVI.

"The Two Popes" got plenty of positive reviews and praise from critics, and both Jonathan and Anthony got Oscar, Golden Globe, and BAFTA nominations.

Advertisement

Back on November 27, when the film was released in the US, both stars were interviewed by Deadline to share some of the details of their collaboration and how they prepared for the role.

Anthony confessed that he didn't know much about his character because he hadn't been an "avid reader" of the news in the last couple of years. Apart from that, the "Silence of the Lambs" actor said that he didn't research his part either.

Advertisement

JONATHAN DIDN'T WANT THE PART

Jonathan Pryce, on the other hand, said that he didn't want to play Pope Francis shortly after his agent called and told him that he had been offered the part.

However, after reading "what a good script it was," he realized that the story was great. Also, the fact that Fernando Meirelles was directing it made the choice even easier.

Advertisement

The "Game of Thrones" star also said that he always felt admiration for Pope Francis even though he is not a Catholic. According to Jonathan, he respects Pope Francis as a "politician and world leader."

Apart from that, the actor confessed that, unlike Anthony, he did some research and "looked at YouTube" to get a better understanding of his character.

Advertisement

HIS RESEARCH ON POPE FRANCIS

Jonathan pointed out that what he presented and said was all in the script. However, it was vital for him to properly display the way Pope Francis behaved physically-speaking. He said:

"I was at an advantage in that I'm supposed to look a bit like him, but it was more to do with the essence of the man and how he spoke and how calm he was when he spoke."

Advertisement

During an interview that Jonathan had with Stephen Colbert on his show, he confessed that, despite his uncanny physical similarity to Pope Francis and his outstanding performance in the film, he would not like to become a Pope.

According to the actor, it is a very lonely job, an aspect that is shown in the film not only by his character but also by Anthony Hopkins'.

Advertisement

THE DEATH OF JONATHAN PRYCE'S FATHER

Nowadays, Jonathan Pryce is 72 years old, has a very successful career in the entertainment industry, three children, and a partner who has been with him for almost four decades.

However, he has faced some challenging experiences throughout his life, including the death of his father as a result of a violent crime.

Jonathan Pryce and wife Kate Fahy at the Oscars ceremony on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California | Photo: Getty Images

Jonathan Pryce and wife Kate Fahy at the Oscars ceremony on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

The actor's dad was a former coal miner who used to run a store in the Welsh town of Holywell. Although he was well-known in the area, a 16-year-old boy got into the shop and hit him in the head.

Jonathan pointed out that he and his family initially believed that he was okay as the man was describing the incident only hours after it happened. Unfortunately, he had a stroke that night.

Jonathan Pryce on February 02, 2020 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images

Jonathan Pryce on February 02, 2020 in London, England | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

HE COULDN'T ATTEND THE FUNERAL

Time passed by, and the actor's father had another stroke and two heart attacks. Two years after the crime took place, he died.

One of the worst things about his death was that the "Two Popes" star couldn't attend his dad's funeral because, at the time of his passing, he was in New York working on a Broadway production.

Jonathan Pryce in February 2020 in Mayfair, London  | Photo: Getty Images

Jonathan Pryce in February 2020 in Mayfair, London | Photo: Getty Images

At the moment, Jonathan Pryce is still very much active in the entertainment industry. After the "Two Popes," he has appeared in "Gone Hollywood" and is expected to work on "Tales from the Loop" later this year.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Ron Howard Was Most Concerned about His Kids' Values — Inside His Decision to Protect Them

April 26, 2022

Ashley Jensen Lost Her Husband in 2018 — She Is Now in a New Relationship 4 Years after He Passed

February 08, 2022

Jenna Bush Hager Proposed to Her Future Husband a Few Months after the ‘Worst First Date’ - He Said ‘No'

March 29, 2022

Veronique Passani 'Struck' Gregory Peck 'Immediately' - They Wed a Day after His Divorce Was Finalized

March 18, 2022

Mom Uses Videos of 4-Year-Old Daughter to Gain More Followers until Girl Nearly Dies Making One — Story of the Day

May 06, 2022

Inside Schwarzenegger & Ex-wife’s Longtime Home Where They Lived Amid His Affair With Housekeeper

May 10, 2022

Princess Diana Said She ‘Can’t Marry’ Charles after Her Humiliating Lunch with Camilla

February 02, 2022

Marlo Thomas’ Spouse Was a Virgin before Marriage to Mom of His 5 Kids & a Lousy Lover Afterward

February 03, 2022

Tom Brady & Pregnant Bridget Moynahan Split - She Wed Husband at Secret Ceremony 9 Years Later

February 20, 2022

Hal Holbrook ‘Couldn’t Stop Watching’ Wife Dixie Having ‘These Big Flirting Scenes’ with ‘The Nicest Fellow'

March 19, 2022

Rich Man’s Young Widow Learns He Left $4.7M Inheritance to Unknown 81-Year-Old Named Anna — Story of the Day

May 04, 2022

Anthony Geary Was Elizabeth Taylor's 'Boy Toy' — 'The Worse Thing' He Said about Her Was That They Were Friends

May 24, 2022

Martha Stewart, Once Married for 29 Years, Dated Anthony Hopkins until She Saw Him in 'Silence of the Lambs'

January 28, 2022

Jonathan Scott 'Suffered Anguish & Heartache' during Divorce Yet Says It Helped Him Appreciate His New Love

May 14, 2022