EXCLUSIVE: Casualty star Olly Rix has revealed that conversations surrounding him taking on the role of James Bond are ‘exciting’ after an unexpected encounter with Al Pacino
A Casualty star has revealed there are “exciting” conversations surrounding the upcoming casting of the next James Bond. Olly Rix, who stars in the BBC One medical drama as Flynn Byron, has certainly made a name for himself since he burst into the medical drama earlier this year.
But the no-nonsense clinical lead of Wyvern’s emergency department has caught the eye of Hollywood icon, Al Pacino and his daughter Julie. Currently, speculation is rife as to who will take over the role of James Bond following Daniel Craig’s decision to step down in 2021 after the movie No Time To Die.
Currently, Godfather legend Al and his daughter Julie are working together on a project, commissioning portraits of who they think the next British actor could be to take on the 007 role. One of the stars is Olly, 40. “Al Pacino and Julie Pacino are set to come to the UK,” Olly exclusively told the Mirror.
He went on to add: “She’s asked me to be part of a portrait portfolio of British actors that she feels could assume the role, assume the mantle. I mean, it’s amazing. It’s such an extraordinary thing to be thought of and to think they are discussing you. Al Pacino is one of the reasons I wanted to be an actor.
“She’s an amazing photographer and a director as well. What an amazing thing to be asked to be part of. Daniel Craig was the definitive Bond for me, he was my favourite.” Olly revealed that when the film came out, he watched No Time To Die three times at the cinema in the space of around 36 hours.
“I love the role and to see what Amy Pascal and David Heyman might be planning next is so exciting,” he said. He added: “I’m here with held breath like everybody else. It’s a really exciting moment and such a great conversation – let’s see what happens.” But while Olly acts for a living, he was almost a real-life James Bond.
While studying at Oxford University, the actor was approached by the secret intelligence services and encouraged to apply for a job. “I began the vetting process and at the same time I’d applied to drama school,” he said, before revealing he’d won a scholarship to study acting.
Ultimately, Olly withdrew from the vetting process but, to his amazement, received a letter from the secret services wishing him well in his career. He added: “They were hoping one day I’d assume that role and would be watching and waiting. I thought that was the best. In the grand scheme of the business, it’s meaningless, but on a personal level, it’s lovely, and it’s something that I’ve always carried with me.
“It’s always felt like the role has been there somewhere; it felt like it’s crossed paths a few times.” Earlier this year, it was announced by Amazon MGM Studios that Amy Pascal and David Heyman would be producing the next Bond film after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed over the creative rights, but they will remain co-directors.
Although speculation over who will take over as Bond is rife, Olly certainly has a busy few months in the emergency department. After joining Casualty, he admitted it was a “collaborative process” between himself, series producer Liza Mellody for Olly to step into the role of Flynn.
“The character himself, we had such an exciting conversation about him,” he revealed, admitting he “threw suggestions in” for his character. Olly’s research for the character saw him take inspiration from the special forces, given Flynn’s background in the forces. His first episode saw the camera focus from Flynn’s point of view, after being admitted as a patient following a car incident.
Speaking of his role, Olly said: “Flynn doesn’t come in like any good character, he doesn’t come in static or fully formed, unevolving entity. If the audience sticks with him and goes with him, they’re going to go on a journey. That’s why we did the research and the character we began to wrench him out of that context and put him in an NHS world and people that he has to treat very differently, and watching him discover himself in a new environment. It becomes a bit of a redemption arc for Flynn.”
In the weeks to come, Flynn’s character will be tested more than ever when Rida Amaan exposes wrongdoing by his father-in-law, consultant Russell Whitelaw. Viewers have seen Russell’s behaviour continue to worsen at the workplace, with allegations of misconduct against female members of staff.
“That becomes really the sort of centrepiece of the box set, and that and that moral dilemma,” said Olly. He added: “I think what you’re seeing being set up and something that we really explore is ‘Who is this man? When the chips are down, what does he do? Is he brave? Despite personal consequences, does he tugtail and run?’
“We’ve introduced this high-functioning, very competent alpha-male personality who’s come from that world, and we’re saying no,w ‘Can you do it when it counts?'” Russell will later give Flynn an ultimatum – if he exposes his wrongdoing, he’ll make sure Flynn won’t see his wife Claire and their children.
“That’s really the kicker – Russell can potentially leverage Flynn’s silence,” he revealed, before adding: “They’re not actively at war, they’re not fighting. He’s saying, providing you don’t do anything, I won’t do anything. Flynn has to choose to step into that fire and say ‘I’m going to risk it all, or he won’t.”
One thing that is important to Rix is the reality and sensitivity surrounding certain topics of the show – including death in the emergency department. “I don’t think any of us are exempt from these issues,” he said. Last weekend, fans saw the death of Cara, who was being treated for cancer. Cara had initially been planning to go home before suffering a seizure and later dying.
Olly said: “To use that story as an example, most of us know somebody who has been affected by cancer and their lives have been touched by that, and they’ve had to deal with that. The cast and the actors are no different, the same with the crew and writers.
“I think it’s one of the things that makes Casualty such an enduring piece, it speaks to everybody on some level. When you’re in an ED, you can run the entire spectrum of human emotion because you’re going to be faced with it all, from birth to death, from cradle to grave.”
One of Olly’s favourite dynamics is that of Flynn and Dr Rash Masum – who he has recently butted heads with. “I enjoyed it from the off,” Olly grinned. He added: “I liked that I sort of put his nose out of joint initially, as an actor, it was an interesting thing to do. I was hoping that we would get the payoff that I think we’re going to get. Ultimately, there’s no lack of professional respect or courtesy, yes, he quite brutally fired somebody and that upset Rash.
“But I think all Flynn is ever asking of Rash is that he steps up and gives his best because he’s such an outstanding doctor. I think Flynn, from the off, sees something worth nurturing in Rash and tries to bring out some self-belief and self-confidence as the ranking elder.” One thing Olly is sure about – Flynn can hold his own. “He can own his failings, he can own his blind spots and face them,” he said, adding: “He does have a sort of energy that means he can attack things pretty aggressively and pretty quickly, often pretty effectively.
“But he’s not afraid to confront his failings. Of course, it’s gathering pace in the background but that becomes a central question of the entire box set. Is his biggest failing and biggest issue – is he going to face those? We’re seeing good signs so far, but we’ll see.” He also teased an “interesting story” about Flynn and councillor Anna Mills, whom he has been seen getting close to in recent weeks.
Away from his work on Casualty, Olly recently headed to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home – a visit that was supported by the charity’s very first ambassador, David Gandy. Olly is keen to work with the charity. “It’s phenomenal, I can’t speak highly enough of that organisation,” he smiled before saying: “Like anybody else who’s ever sat and watched Paul O’Grady, and for good reason.
“They’ve got this incredible list of ambassadors, David Gandy, Tom Hardy and the late Paul O’Grady. I’ve always admired what they’ve done and how they’ve used their position to campaign for the organisation. So the most wonderful surprise, David’s team organised a visit for me to the institution and I went and spent three or four hours with all the dogs and the staff.”
Olly met with the staff who showed him around the centre and explained how Battersea is run and how they function. He said: “Doing anything with them is just the easiest proposition. I love animals, and more than that, I adore dogs. I really do. I have a dog who came into my life at a time when I needed it. I’m another of those people who’s had a dog save them. Couldn’t think of anything more fulfilling and beautiful to be involved with. I really hope that continues, so it was wonderful to have the support of David Gandy on my visit.”
Casualty airs tonight at 9.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
