How Karan Gill Transformed Into Panfilo For The Decameron – Interview

5 months ago

The Decameron is streaming now on Netflix

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Now streaming on Netflix is a hedonistic comedy dropping an amalgamation of 14th century servants and nobles in a countryside villa while the plague rages beyond the lofty doors. We’re of course talking about The Decameron, which garnered a whopping 2.1 million viewers in its first week on the platform. We follow four duos: two ladies with a servant each, a nobleman and his physician, and devout husband and wife Neifile (Lou Gala) and Panfilo (Karan Gill). ‘Panfilo is a bit of a schemer,’ Karan tells us, ‘eager to rub shoulders with important people and climb up the social ladder in the villa.’ We sat down with Karan to hear all about transforming into this sly 14th century nobleman.

Interview: Karan Gill On The Decameron

Tony Hale as Sirisco, Karan Gill as Panfilo, Lou Gala as Neifile, Douggie McMeekin as Tindaro, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Misia, Zosia Mamet as Pampinea, Tanya Reynolds as Licisca, and Amar Chadha-Patel as Dioneo in Episode 103 of The Decameron

(L to R) Tony Hale as Sirisco, Karan Gill as Panfilo, Lou Gala as Neifile, Douggie McMeekin as Tindaro, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Misia, Zosia Mamet as Pampinea, Tanya Reynolds as Licisca, and Amar Chadha-Patel as Dioneo in Episode 103 of The Decameron. Giulia Parmigiani/Netflix © 2023

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

It’s good, I’m enjoying the summer. I just got back from New York for the Premiere of The Decameron. It was my first time visiting New York and America.

Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

A group of nobles are fleeing the plague in Florence and take refuge in a villa in the countryside where all isn’t what it seems. Allegiances shift as nobles and servants clash, secrets begin to surface and chaos ensues. It’s mad.

What did you think when you first read the script?

I was struck by how quickly I got a sense of each of the 10 characters, which is a testament to the writing and what makes the show so easy to get sucked into. There are so many different storylines and they’re all juggled so well.

You play Panfilo – how would you describe him?

Panfilo is a bit of a schemer, eager to rub shoulders with important people and climb up the social ladder in the villa. However, his schemes don’t always go to plan and he gets humbled real quick.

What was it like playing him?

He starts out as self-serving and arrogant but, over the course of the show, has to confront his many shortcomings and is left a changed person. Those are the kinds of arcs you hope for, where you can go from one extreme to another – so it was a very fun and fulfilling journey.

What was your audition like?

I put myself on tape for one of the other characters initially and was then asked to tape for Panfilo. And that was it.

What was your reaction when you got the role?

I was in a therapy session where we were discussing that I might have to stop holding out for a lead role to come along and just take the next thing that comes my way. 2022 had been a picky year and as a result, a quiet one. As I left the session, I got the call. Relieved is an understatement.

How did you get into character on set?

Looking over my script notes, music, chatting through the scene with the team. Once we got the ball rolling, we didn’t really stop for six months, so stepping into Panfilo just became a natural part of my day.

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Filming the finale was really special. It being the end meant everything was laced with that extra bit of gratitude and appreciation for what we were making. And Panfilo and Liscisca (Tanya Reynolds) had these quiet scenes which we shot on a Saturday with minimal crew, unlike every other day where there were a million moving parts. And it just felt like for that day, we were making a little indie.

It’s obviously a comedy, but what was the cast dynamic like on set?

Fun and chaotic like the characters. Everyone operating at different levels to make the scenes sing. Everyone absolutely shattered by the end of the day.

If you were (personally) any other character in The Decameron, who do you think you would be and why?

I think Tanya’s character Liscisca. Everyone in the villa has their secrets, sure, but we watch Liscisca rapidly learn and adopt the customs of a class she doesn’t belong to as she battles with her true identity in real time. Knife edge stuff, and a lot of fun to play, I imagine.

Photographer: David Reiss
Stylist: Martin Metcalf
Groomer: Sandra Hahnel

You’ve also starred in Ladhood, Screw, I May Destroy You… What has been your favourite project to date?

The Decameron came my way at a crucial point in my career and life, it felt like. And I would say I May Destroy You did, too.

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

I ventured into the romcom genre with The Road Trip for Paramount Plus which was a lot of fun. And I have just wrapped on a political drama for Channel 4 called Brian and Margaret.

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

Michaela Coel.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

I stole from every single one of them.

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

Wouldn’t mind some more romance.

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

I’ve realised if I don’t prioritise and nurture my personal life, my creative life will suffer. Moving through life with the priorities in that order has helped.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

An actor.

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

You’re not gonna use your GCSEs, relax.