Laurie Davidson (actor)

Laurie Davidson
Born London, England
Alma mater London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
Occupation Actor
Years active 2013–present

Laurie Davidson is an English actor known for playing a fictionalized version of a young William Shakespeare in TNT's Will. He is a 2016 graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

Background

Davidson was born in the Dulwich neighborhood of South London.[1] After arriving at the LAMDA, he earned a part in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, which is where his agent first noticed him.[1] Davidson was a newcomer to television prior to his Will casting; his prior work included stage work and a minor role in the film Vampire Academy.[2] He has also been cast in the BBC film Diana & I as a journalist who is present at the time of the death of Princess Diana.[1]

Will

A casting director for Yorgos Lanthimos' The Favourite suggested that he audition for Will. He had several rounds of auditions. Just as school was set to resume following Christmas of his final year at LAMDA and as he was set to play Tevye in a school production of Fiddler on the Roof, he was informed in January 2016 that he was cast in Will, and he dropped out of Fiddler to shoot the show's pilot.[3][2]

In order to prepare for his modern take on Shakespeare, Davidson did not focus on modern depictions of Shakespeare, such as Joseph Fiennes performance in Shakespeare in Love,[4] but he did use Straight Outta Compton and 8 Mile for inspiration, on the advice of director Shekhar Kapur.[5] He also relied on the works attributed to Shakespeare to learn about him.[6] TNT picked up the show in May 2016,[7] but Davidson graduated from LAMDA in July 2016—on schedule.[3] Will premiered on July 10, 2017.[8]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Nordstrom, Leigh (July 10, 2017). "Laurie Davidson Is Not Your High School Shakespeare". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (January 7, 2016). "Young William Shakespeare TNT Pilot 'Will' Casts Lead, Shekhar Kapur To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  3. 1 2 Radish, Christina (July 10, 2017). "'Will' Star Laurie Davidson on Upending Preconceived Notions of Shakespeare". Collider. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  4. ↑ Lenker, Maureen Lee (July 10, 2017). "Will star Laurie Davidson on giving Shakespeare a rock 'n' roll makeover". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ Kis, Eva (June 23, 2017). "TNT's 'Will' Laurie Davidson used rap to get into Shakespeare". Zimbabwe Metro. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  6. ↑ Butler, Karen (July 10, 2017). "Laurie Davidson went to the text to play Shakespeare in TNT's 'Will'". United Press International. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  7. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 18, 2016). "'Will' Drama About Young William Shakespeare Picked Up To Series By TNT – Watch Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  8. ↑ Kinane, Ruth (April 20, 2017). "Sharpen thy wit, TNT's Shakespeare series will premiere in July". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
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