Jonathan Pryce is back in the Emmy race for Slow Horses, earning his second nomination for playing the increasingly fragile David Cartwright in Apple TV’s spy drama. The veteran actor tells Gold Derby he’s “thrilled” by the recognition, acknowledging he’s having a “great few years” in television that started with Game of Thrones.
Pryce says his favorite part of Slow Horses is that it “creeps up on you,” winning over viewers without any flashy gimmicks. He’s also not afraid to shout out the Emmy competition, confessing he’s a “huge fan” of The Pitt. “That might work against us, but what the hell — it’s a great show.”
The actor also says winning an Emmy woud be nice “but it’s the acknowledgment by your peers and the company you’re in that really matters,” explains why Slow Horses showrunner Will Smith and author Mick Herron would get thank-yous in Pryce’s Emmy speech, and shares how his character’s Alzheimer’s storyline has become one of the most meaningful aspects of his recent work. Read on for our full Q&A.
Gold Derby: Congratulations on your Emmy nomination! This is your second one for Slow Horses. Does it feel different than the first one you got a couple years ago?
Jonathan Pryce: It only feels different because it seems like a long time ago since we recorded it. There’s a very odd schedule. Season 6 is only now going out in September, and they’ve already made Season 7, so you never quite know where you are. I was talking to Will Smith, the writer, and I said, “It’s fantastic news. I’m delighted. If only I could remember what I did and when I did it!” But I do remember, and I’m thrilled.
I’m having a great few years. I think it all started with that sequence of jobs — from Game of Thrones through The Crown and now Slow Horses. I’m very happy that the show has been nominated, and Gary [Oldman], and Jack [Lowden]. I’m thrilled. It’s such a good show. I know it’s popular in the States, but it’s hugely popular here [in Europe] as well. It’s one of those shows that, when people say they enjoy it or recognize you from it, it feels like they discovered it for themselves. It’s for them somehow. It’s not a big, showy, spectacular thing — it creeps up on you, and people really like it.
The show has nine total nominations this year. What is it like working on a series that’s not only popular with audiences, but also embraced by the industry?
It’s very gratifying because it’s not a “showy” show. It’s quite subtle in its drama, and certainly subtle — well, maybe not so subtle in Gary’s case — in its humor. When you’re in Europe and doing a show in Great Britain, you’re always aware of these really big, popular American TV shows, and you think you might get lost somewhere. So, it’s very gratifying. And it’s especially gratifying because it’s your peers recognizing the work. It’s other actors looking at actors’ work, and that’s why these awards matter.
There are so many great shows out there. I’m a huge fan of The Pitt. That’s another one I had to find. There weren’t big adverts everywhere for it, you had to track it down on a streamer. And that is such an impressive show from everybody concerned. The acting is phenomenal, especially when you know how they have to do it. At least in Slow Horses, you get some downtime — you can go back to your trailer and sleep. But, anyway, I’m glad for that show. I’m sorry it’s up against Slow Horses. That might work against us, but what the hell — it’s a great show.
Your category is especially competitive this year. What does it mean to be included in that lineup?
Yeah, it’s a strong category, so it’s very, very nice to be included in that company. There’s nothing more I can really say. I met Colman Domingo briefly at another awards show, and we acknowledged that, at one point, we both came from musical theater, so that was our link.
You’ve been nominated at the Emmys before, but you’ve yet to win. What would it mean to finally take home the award?
That would be nice. I know a lot of people say this, but the nomination is important. To win would be very nice, but it’s the acknowledgement by your peers and the company you’re in that really matters. At my age, anyway, that’s sufficient. And to win? It’d be nice, I won’t lie.
If you did get up there and give a speech, who would be the first person you’d thank?
Definitely two people: Mick Herron for writing the books, and Will Smith for writing the scripts. This show wouldn’t exist in the form it does without Will. As showrunner and writer, he was on set every day, and he was such a positive presence. You could talk to him about your character and the way things were going. I certainly spoke to him about the way David Cartwright was going to proceed in the storyline, and about the Alzheimer’s. When I started the show, of course, I had no idea Cartwright was going to end up with Alzheimer’s, so it’s been a bit of a gift to play a character who isn’t constant, who develops, and whose storyline is important. It’s important to the show, but it’s also important to society that Alzheimer’s is seen in a very positive light. I’ve played other roles involving dementia, and I know the value they can have for audiences, especially carers. They see that they’re not alone.
Is there anyone from Slow Horses who didn’t get nominated this year that you think deserves some recognition — and maybe could break through next year?
Saskia Reeves [as Catherine Standish] is just wonderful in that show and solid — though I don’t think she’ll thank me for saying she’s solid. But she delivers a wonderful characterization. And she’s lovely to work with, a lovely person. Sorry if I upset anybody else in the cast. We all deserve nominations across the board. But Saskia especially, yes.
Are you planning to attend the ceremony?
Yes, I think I’m unexpectedly available, as they say. It’d be nice to meet up with old friends and make some new ones.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
