ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What interested you aboutThe Undoing?
HUGH GRANT:Well, it was very classy.
It was a fantastic screenwriter.
HBO
It was Nicole and it was Susanne Bier.
The reason I tortured her for a year was because I genuinely loved her Danish films.
I think they’re masterpieces.
But I’m not like that; I have to try and talk my way out of every job.
So I did a bit of that, tortured Susanne a bit more.
And then yes, did it, and I’m very glad I did.
I’m very proud of it, I’ve seen it now.
How is it possible that you’ve never worked with Nicole Kidman before?
You two have really natural chemistry as Grace and Jonathan.
GRANT:I’m glad you think that.
And I think she’s got good instincts like that.
I’m glad that came off.
I did know Nicole a bit.
And I said, “Excuse me, are you speaking in a secret language?”
And they both said, “Yes.”
And then I met her at events over the next, God, 25 years?
[laughs] I’ve always liked her, she’s a silly Aussie girl.
Was it easy to develop the chemistry with her?
GRANT:It did feel sort of right.
They still have sex.
That’s all quite hard to do in one episode without getting nauseating.
What was the first question you asked Susanne about Jonathan?
And I didn’t want to go back to sort of just doing a version of Hugh Grant.
So I was trying to find a character, really.
I needed to find a very specific guy to be, not just “dreamboat.”
That was my big source of debate and in fact argument with Susanne.
And then about two days before we actually started shooting, she threw it all out the window.
All these costumes with scarves and things.
So I had to play it much more lightly characterized, but with lots of inner stuff.
I think he has crutches.
I think he has a beard."
Jonathan is a beloved guy whose mistakes play out in the public arena.
It’s hard not to notice some parallels to your own life.
GRANT:I’m not sure I thought too much about that, my own parallels.
I was more interested in him as a person.
And I think that’s the case with Jonathan.
Donald Sutherland is amazing as Grace’s dad, Franklin.
Is he as intimidating in person as he comes across on screen?
GRANT:[Laughs] I was intimidated also, he’s an icon.
I was a little frightened.
But I have to say, he’s profoundly silly in real life.
He’s quite old-school like that.
It’s hard to describe.
He certainly knows how to command the scene, and is quite determined to do so.
There are some very emotional scenes between you and Noah Jupe, who plays Henry.
That was really useful for the parts of this film where I’m separated from my son.
You’ve said working with Susanne Bier was “surprisingly scary.”
What surprised you most about the way she works?
GRANT: She takes no prisoners at all.
Talk about bedside manner she has some in preproduction and postproduction, but not a lot on set.
It was just superb, I think we’ve got it unless you want to try anything different."
Do you enjoy shooting in New York?
My brother lives there, which is cozy.
He’s around the corner from where I always stay.
For some reason I’ve ended up making literally seven films in New York, I think.
I love all that.
It is one of the great cities of the world.
If I didn’t live in London, I’d live in New York.
Limited series on HBO, especially ones with Nicole Kidman,sometimes have a season 2.
Would you be up for that?
GRANT:It’s never been a thought of mine.
I prefer a one-off thing.
