Kadiff Kirwan On Slow Horses: ‘Season 4 Is The Best Yet’

Have you been watching Slow Horses? Season 4 is well underway, with the team investigating the sinister forces behind a detonated bomb in the middle of a shopping centre, while River becomes increasingly concerned about his senile grandfather. In the Slow Horses gang is Marcus, played by Kadiff Kirwan, who has a bigger presence in season 4 than ever before. We sat down with Kadiff to hear all about it.

Interview: Kadiff Kirwan

Photographer: David Reiss
Grooming: Lauraine Bailey
Styling: Way Perry

Hi Kadiff, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is great at the moment. I am currently in my dressing room preparing for this evening’s performance of The Hot Wing King at The National Theatre and I’m having a blast!

You’re about to return for Slow Horses season 4 – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

Ghosts from the past come to haunt the Slow Horses and everyone is put into situations that they’ve never been in before, asking serious questions of them morally. How far would you go to erase the past, and what happens when the past catches up with you?

What can we expect from season 4?

The biggest season we have ever done yet. Brilliant cast, action sequences, stunt sequences and just a plethora of brilliant, brilliant performances from the Horses and lots of new cast members. The show has never been better and I think season 4 is the best yet.

You play Marcus – how would you describe him?

Marcus is a happy go lucky geezer. He loves his family, loves gambling and likes his job. He likes an easy life. But none of these things go hand in hand with being a Slow Horse and he is forever finding himself in situations that he shouldn’t be in based on errors that he has made. He is at times a bit of a man child, and at times a brilliant team member. There is a lot going on for Marcus and he is not someone who is freely willing to share how he feels about things. This season, he really goes on a journey and I’m so excited for you all to see him.

What is it like playing him?

It’s brilliant, I love it! He is the best.

How did you prepare for the role?

I learnt my lines. I took the direction. I read the source material and asked many, many questions. I tried to have as much fun as possible with the scenes that I had and with my cast members.

How do you get into character on set?

I think the costume really helps for Marcus. I was able to gain a little bit of weight to play him as he is a father of two and not one who really looks after himself in the best of ways. To luxuriate in playing him like that physically was great.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Oh my gosh, this season! There is a sequence that takes place in a garage… That’s all I can say. It is explosive, ha! I also got to share lots of moments on set with Gary (Oldman) which were hilarious. He is one of the funniest people I know.

Who was your favourite person to work with on set?

Hmmm, very difficult to answer this question, but I would have to say it’s Aimee-Ffion Edwards who plays Shirley Dander. We have a cracking friendship on screen as well as off screen. We really love working with each other and it is and continues to be a joy playing Marcus opposite Shirley.

(Courtesy of Apple TV)

You’re also currently starring in The Hot Wing King at The National – can you tell us a bit about that?

It is a play about a found family of four queer friends in Memphis Tennessee who are preparing for a Hot Wing Festival over this weekend. They all really want to win. My character, Cordell, is the head chef and is not the mildest tempered of people. He is going through a lot at the moment having just left a marriage and his two children to be with his new partner Dwayne. He is jobless and somewhat directionless and this weekend means a lot to him. He is under a lot of pressure and a lot of things are asked of him this weekend that he cannot quite understand so it all comes to a head.

What has the run been like for you?

The run of this play has been incredible. Ten weeks on stage with eight shows a week is no small task. Having to get myself fit for this show and to deliver a performance every night that the audience has paid for has been really motivating. The audiences have been so brilliantly reactive to the show and its themes, jokes and drama that each time I go out it is an absolute joy to say these words. So I’ve really adored it!

Any standout moments?

I love it when things go wrong! There’s a 10-minute piece of cooking a chicken dish from start to finish and towards the end, and I’ve got to do this elaborate chicken flipping sequence with this cheesy cream sauce and the other night, half of the chicken fell out of the bowl onto the floor which was so funny. The audience found it really hilarious and we had to find a way to clean it up and make out it was part of the show. When things go wrong, we just crack on with it. It’s been amazing.

What has been your favourite project to date?

Slow Horses, hands down. It has been an absolute joy and privilege to be a part of this show and I can’t wait for everyone to see this season. It’s going to be great!

Any roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

There is something I have just shot, before I started this play, that will be coming out next year that I’m very excited about. But I can’t say much more than that. Sorry!

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

Maybe Michaela Coel. My bestie! We got to do a play together, we did Chewing Gum together, Black Mirror, I May Destroy You…which has been great.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I would say Gary Oldman. He is absolutely fantastic and just a marvel to watch him work. Also, Kate O’Flynn whom I star with on Everyone Else Burns. She is a comedy genius and working with her has been a pleasure.

What’s your dream role?

I would love to play Luther Vandross in the biopic of his life. I adore him. I love him. And feel like I have an understanding of him. People also tell me I look a bit like him, so if someone wants to write that feature film and cast me in it, I would be very appreciative.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

I’d like to delve into a bit more drama or fantasy. I am a huge fan of the House of Dragon and Game of Thrones franchises – I think they are just brilliant. Chuck a bit of fantasy my way – that would be fun!

Do you get to spend much time at home?

When I can be at home, when I’m not working, it’s fantastic. I love to cook, so being at home and cooking for my friends and family is something I find great enjoyment in. The more of that I get to do the better.

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I live in London town. I love it. I grew up somewhat in the countryside in Lancashire, so when I visit my family I get a bit of countryside and when I’m home in London I get the city and I love it.

What’s your interior design style?

Mid-Century. Anything Mid-Century. I love love love Mid-Century!

If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be? 

Keep going. Keep being honest. Keep being kind because it’s all going to be alright. And maybe start dance lessons a little bit sooner, ha!

How can we all live a little bit better?

By just appreciating what we have. Sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have in a moment and thinking we need more. For me, I like to take joy in what is already there and if anything else comes along then that’s fantastic but what I’ve worked towards and what I already have is pretty damn great. So if we could stay in the moment a bit more I think we would be living much better lives.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?

I’m currently writing a pilot for the BBC in which I will star, which is exciting!

Photographer: David Reiss
Grooming: Lauraine Bailey
Styling: Way Perry

Kadiff Kirwan Recommends…

I’m currently watching… The second season of House of The Dragon

What I’m reading… Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Ru Paul’s Drag Race

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… My friends and family once I have finished this show

Favourite film of all time… Don’t make me choose!

Favourite song of all time… ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon & Garfunkel

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Beyonce – the Queen of Queens.

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Art Galleries in London and all over the country. They are free so go and enjoy and immersive yourself in all the creativity that we have to offer in this country. It is beautiful.

Cultural guilty pleasure… People watching. Sitting in places around London, listening to a podcast and watching people. It’s divine. People are great. London is great.

WATCH

Kadiff Kirwan stars in Slow Horses on Apple TV. New episodes of season 4 arrive weekly on Wednesdays on Apple TV. All episodes of the first three seasons are streaming now at tv.apple.com

The Hot Wing King runs until 14 September at the Dorfman Theatre (National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX). nationaltheatre.org.uk