RICHARD E GRANT (1st Interview)

Born in Swaziland in 1957, Richard E. Grant discovered performance early, but it was his move to Cape Town in the mid-1970s that shaped his artistic identity. In 1979, he became closely involved with The Space Theatre, the groundbreaking independent theatre founded by Brian Astbury and Yvonne Bryceland. At a time when South African theatre was pushing against apartheid restrictions, The Space stood as a beacon of artistic defiance and creative freedo, and Grant thrived within it. At The Space Theatre, Grant acted in, devised, and supported a range of productions that blended political urgency with bold experimentation. The theatre’s collaborative environment, multicultural casting, and commitment to challenging work profoundly influenced him. Grant has frequently spoken of The Space as the place where he felt he truly became an actor, crediting it with giving him both professional discipline and artistic courage. His experience there laid the emotional and creative foundations for the rest of his career. In 1982, Grant left South Africa for London. After several years working on stage and in fringe theatre, he earned international acclaim with his breakout film role as Withnail in “Withnail and I” (1987). This was followed by a prolific screen and stage career, including standout performances in The Player (1992), Gosford Park (2001), Downton Abbey (2019), and his Oscar-nominated turn in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2018). He has also appeared in major franchises such as Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and Marvel’s Loki. Throughout his global success, Grant has continued to acknowledge The Space Theatre—its people, its politics, and its energy—as the crucible where he learned to trust his instincts, push boundaries, and commit fully to the craft.