Casting Harry Brown

12 November 2009

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The concept for Harry Brown was brought to Kris Thykier by writer Gary Young (Shooters, The Tournament), and producer Keith Bell (Dog Soldiers, The Descent). Thykier recalls ‘I read the first draft of the script and it struck me as an interesting project.

“So I took it on board and we started on re-drafts of the script. By coincidence, I was meeting with Daniel Barber about another project, but when Daniel read the script he immediately wanted to work on Harry Brown. The beginnings of production were very smooth – within a few weeks we had a script and a director.’

Barber remembers his initial reaction: ‘I just really liked the script. I thought the story was interesting – it touches on so many problems that this country faces today. I was very keen to tell a story that was of the moment. As well as being a great story, Harry Brown is perhaps slightly political – it definitely touches on a multitude of social issues, and that was something I found very appealing.’

In the early weeks of the project coming together, Thykier recalls that it was soon evident that there was only one person who could play the title role. ‘The role of Harry Brown requires someone with resonance and power, yet at the same time must appear venerable, almost weak. We needed a screen icon. I think everyone involved in the project at that stage was aware that Michael Caine was our only choice to play Harry Brown.’

Having only one option in mind for the lead role can lead to a project being derailed before it has got started. However once Caine saw the script he was very quick to respond positively. Again, it was the strong script and the subject matter that tempted him.

According to Caine, some of the lines in the script felt uncanny. ‘I must say that when I read the script I thought the writer had been listening to a couple of my conversations! It’s that old thing: what’s gone wrong with the young? And the problem is now, the older guys like me, say, ‘Oh, the youngsters today what’s gone wrong?’ And they all turned out to be all right.

“But this next generation isn’t going to. They have armed themselves and there are too many drugs. We all used to go out and get pissed on alcohol but if you get pissed on alcohol you don’t go out and stab someone, you just fall over flat on your face.

“That said, Harry Brown is an ex-soldier. I’m an ex-soldier. He grew up in the same area as I grew up. I understood the character absolutely and completely.’

Thykier also recalls that Caine was already familiar with Barber’s previous work. ‘He had enjoyed The Tonto Woman. I think he respected Barber as a young, exciting film-maker.’

With Caine jumping at the chance of joining the production, Frampton was the next role to be cast.
Thykier comments ‘With Michael confirmed, we needed a strong actress to play opposite him in the role of Frampton.

The relationship between Frampton and Harry Brown, and how it develops during the course of the film is key, and so we needed someone who could take the role from a simple, procedural one and really breathe life into the character. Emily Mortimer was ideal for the role.’

Along with Caine’s involvement, Barber’s direction was another reason for Mortimer to take the role ‘Police dramas on television, especially in England, are very common. You can switch on the television any evening and there will be one on. When I saw The Tonto Woman it was clear to me that Daniel would elevate the story to a different level.’

Barber adds ‘Emily is a fabulous actress and a lovely person. She really brings something special to the role. As does Charlie Creed-Miles, who has done some really interesting work in the past.’

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