Timothy Spall

Timothy Spall

Timothy Spall was thrilled to reunite with director Mike Leigh for Mr Turner.

Spall takes on the role of painter JMW Turner in a new biopic: a film that sees Leigh back in the director's chair.

The movie screened at the Cannes Film Festival last week, where Spall picked up the Best Actor gong for his performance.

And Spall jumped at the chance to work with Leigh again, and explore the character of Turner.

Speaking to the Press Association, the actor said: "It was an absolute delight to work with Mike Leigh, the person who's given me the best opportunities in my life to investigate one of the most complicated English artists ever in the history of the world - a contradiction, both a beast and a genius, an ape and a romantic.

"I didn't have to pretend I was handsome because I'm fat. I think I'm slightly better-looking than Turner was so it wasn't a big deal on the physical front, so I could concentrate on the soul of the character."

Mr Turner has been ear-marked as a possible Oscar contender, could we be seeing Spall in the Best Actor mix next year?

Mr Turner is released 31st October.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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