Matthew Macfadyen on ‘The Miniature Wife’ and Playing Mr. Darcy

Macfadyen Stars in Surreal New Comedy ‘The Miniature Wife’

Actor Matthew Macfadyen is taking on a wildly imaginative role in the new series ‘The Miniature Wife.’ The show, which blends dark humor with fantastical elements, features Macfadyen as Les, a brilliant scientist on the cusp of solving world hunger. He’s developed a machine capable of shrinking and restoring crops, a feat that could earn him a Nobel Prize.

However, Les’s personal life is in disarray. His marriage to Lindy, played by Elizabeth Banks, is in trouble. During a heated argument, Lindy is about to leave him when Les accidentally shrinks her using his experimental device. This unexpected event catapults the couple into a bizarre and challenging new reality.

A Marriage Shrunk to Six Inches

The premise of ‘The Miniature Wife’ is undeniably absurd, but Macfadyen points out that it grounds itself in relatable themes. “It’s about relationships and it’s about you know it’s about all the stuff that we can relate to like marriage and power imbalances in a marriage and ambition and ego and all that stuff,” he explained.

The show uses the literal act of shrinking Lindy to six inches tall and placing her in a doll’s house as a potent metaphor for feeling small and powerless within a relationship. Macfadyen elaborated on Les’s complex feelings, admitting that while he is horrified by what he’s done, there’s also a sense of dark satisfaction.

“I think he feels feels like it’s his turn. And um and so there is there is something I don’t know there is probably quite an ugly feeling that Les has like good this is what you this is what you deserve and it’s my turn.”

This power shift stems from Lindy’s past success. Eighteen years prior, her debut novel won a Pulitzer Prize, making her the celebrated figure while Les supported her. Now, with his groundbreaking invention, Les feels it’s his moment to shine, leading to a complicated dynamic where he both cherishes and controls his miniature wife.

Navigating Dark Humor and Absurdity

Macfadyen described the writing by showrunners Steve Turner and Jenny as “really barbed and snappy and funny and silly and then and and then quite tender.” He enjoyed the challenge of delivering such sharp dialogue with co-star Elizabeth Banks, even though their filming process was often physically separated due to the nature of their characters’ situations.

Banks worked in a large green screen studio with oversized props, while Macfadyen acted opposite empty space or smaller props in a separate studio. “We didn’t see much of each other, which was sort of frustrating,” he noted, highlighting the technical challenges of bringing the surreal story to life.

Reflections on ‘Succession’ and Iconic Roles

The interview also touched upon Macfadyen’s iconic role as Tom Wambsgans in the acclaimed series ‘Succession.’ He spent significant periods filming in the U.S. but managed to maintain a balance by traveling back home during breaks. He admitted that while he misses the camaraderie of the ‘Succession’ cast and crew, he doesn’t necessarily miss playing Tom.

“I miss the I miss the I miss the other actors and getting together and the endeavor of doing it, you know, once a year or once every every year and a half, whatever we did. Um, that was the lovely thing. It felt like a company. Felt like a really lovely company of people.”

When asked about the appeal of playing complex, often morally ambiguous characters like Tom, Macfadyen suggested that a “shred of humanity” is essential for audiences to care. He found Tom’s journey to CEO particularly satisfying, given how much the character endured from others throughout the series.

The Enduring Legacy of Mr. Darcy

Macfadyen also revisited his role as Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ He confessed to having reservations about his casting at the time, feeling a pressure to embody such an iconic character and wishing he had enjoyed the experience more.

“I probably wish I’d enjoyed it a bit more,” he stated, clarifying that his comments about feeling miscast have been somewhat exaggerated over time. He explained that actors often have an idealized vision of a character that doesn’t always align with their on-screen portrayal. “There’s always a gap between your imaginative ideal of a character and then you sort of see yourself or you catch yourself on the monitor and you think oh god that’s not what I wanted to look like.”

He mentioned that after ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ he was quite selective about his roles, taking time to find projects that truly resonated. He also commented on the upcoming Netflix adaptation starring Jack Lowden, humorously noting the recurring “thread of Darcy’s throughout the ages.”

Balancing Career and Personal Life

Addressing his and his wife Keeley Hawes’s successful careers, Macfadyen dismissed the notion that they needed to move to Hollywood. He emphasized that the film industry allows for flexible working arrangements, with projects shooting globally. “You just, you know, sometimes you do a film in the States, sometimes you do a film in Eastern Europe, sometimes you’re at home. So, no, you just you stay where you want to stay really.”

He attributed their long-lasting marriage and careers to mutual laughter, patience, and understanding the unpredictable nature of acting. “You’re used to you both know what the you can’t really make a plan and there’s something you sort of realize you’re not in control of your schedule,” he said.

Thematic Depth in ‘The Miniature Wife’

Returning to ‘The Miniature Wife,’ Macfadyen highlighted the series’ exploration of ambition, ego, vanity, and the influence of big tech. He noted the presence of a billionaire investor with potentially “hairbrain schemes” and a “nefarious angle,” suggesting that the miniaturization technology could be used for harmful purposes.

When asked what he would genetically modify about himself or if he had the power of miniaturization, Macfadyen gave a characteristically wry answer. “I think I would I would like to use a miniaturizing machine to miniaturaturize some people in the world,” he joked, adding that it would “solve problems.”

What’s Next for Macfadyen?

With ‘The Miniature Wife’ offering a fresh, albeit dark, comedic take, Macfadyen continues to seek out diverse roles that allow him to stretch his acting muscles. The series promises a unique blend of sharp wit, relationship drama, and sci-fi absurdity, leaving audiences to ponder the complexities of love, ambition, and control.

Source: ‘I Wish I’d Enjoyed It More’ Matthew Macfadyen On The Pressure Of Playing Mr Darcy (YouTube)