Charlie Bentley’s credits span the theatre, television and film, including roles in productions like National Theatre Live: King Lear and the acclaimed Netflix hit series Baby Reindeer (he played the role of Teri’s friend in the series). Whether he’s stepping into historical drama, or bringing depth to roles on modern day set movies , Charlie approaches each part with a blend of professionalism and palpable curiosity. Charlie can also be seen in the new Martin Kemp starring film Doctor Plague where Charlie takes on the role of Erik. It was post-Doctor Plague release that I thought id reach out to Charlie and see if he could spare some time to take part in the Spending Time With… series, and Charlie wonderfully said yes. So without any further wording from me. Lets hand over the majority of this article to the super talented Charlie Bentley. 

What was the most recent book you read? 

I’ve been reading Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood which I’ve been greatly enjoying. It combines my love for a character study of a broken man, with a lot of talk about the process of producing a Shakespeare productions.

Out of all the characters you’ve played, which one do you think is the most like you?

Well, usually I play pretty unpleasant characters, so hopefully none of them. But I played Sam in an upcoming short film called Shine, who is the extremely protective older brother to the lead character of Lily, so I like to think I share a lot of qualities with Sam. But I also share some of Ed’s anxiety from Peter Rabid, and some of Erik’s showmanship in Doctor Plague. As for Orestes in Exhibition of Evil, I hope I don’t share anything with him. Loved playing the role, but he’s a dreadful man.

What is one of your most favourite locations you have filmed or performed in?

I’ve lucky to have filmed a few projects in Pinewood Studios. As a massive James Bond fan is always so exciting for me to explore those units where so much Bond history was made.

Charlie Bentley in the short film Shine

Do you have any ‘props or keepsakes from any of your films or shows?

I have some fake cash from King Lear, which have Ian McKellen’s face printed on, and I often take away the cartridge shells from blank shots fired from the more action heavy sets I’ve been a part of.

Do you remember who got your first autograph?

It would have been when I was doing King Lear, and people wanted to fill their programs with signatures from everyone in the cast. I’m not sure mine was a high priority for people but I wasn’t going to say no.

Have you ever gotten someone’s autograph? Which is the most memorable for you?

I love getting scripts and programs signed when I’ve loved a play I’ve seen. The first was Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Ronald Pickup and Simon Callow when I saw them in Waiting for Godot in 2009

Recently I got to meet Vic Armstrong, the legendary stuntman and stunt coordinator, when we were working on a film together. I built up my courage and introduced myself, telling him how much I adore his autobiography, so he told me to bring it the next day. I did, and he signed it with an incredibly kind message, and this is now a prized item of mine.

What is the ONE single coolest movie geek thing you own?

I think I’d have to say my DVD collection, which at the last count was past 500 movies and shows. All organised in alphabetical order and displayed with movie posters behind the holders. Although a store I keep going past is selling a high quality, full scale, official Captain America shield, and I think it needs to come home with me

Charlie Bentley & Zoë Jessica  from the upcoming short film Shine

What is one film that gives you the ‘creeps’? Or scares you

I can be a real scardey cat with horror movies, despite having acted in several. Longlegs was a recent film that really got under my skin, I was thinking about that movie for weeks after watching it. But the classic which really unnerved me was The Silence of Lambs. An absolute masterpiece that deserves all the praise it’s received, and still so deeply effective as a horror thriller.

Do you have an ‘off switch’ when not working, and how does it work?

I desperately need my hobbies when I need to turn off my brain. Sometimes I don’t want to and I feel I need to be constantly focused on my current role to ensure I’m never lazy and am ready for whatever is thrown my way on set.

But when I’m between jobs and just need to find myself and a bit of calm, my current favourite hobby is building model sets. I buy sets from the companies ROKR and Rolife and spend hours/days putting these models together. I just yesterday finished a model cafe/bar which has been immensely satisfying.  

How do you prepare for an audition? 

Read the script until I feel I’ve gone mad, find my best instinct for what the character is, because often you’re given minimal context outside of the scene you’re given. But I always have to remember to be prepared but be ready to throw all my preparation and planning out of the window when the director gives me an instruction that doesn’t match the plan I made. Becoming too dependent on your “plan” for playing the role can really trip you up… So, know the script, know your lines, and be ready to play. Being directable is key. 

What’s the first thing you do when you get on ‘set’

Find the coffee… Then I want to figure out who everyone is, the people on the set are going to become your family for the duration of that shoot, so I want to get to know them and build a bond.

Plus if you’re not nice to the gaffer, you might end up in unflattering lighting. (That is a joke but still a worry)

Do you prefer day shoots or night shoots?

Once you get into a rhythm with night shoots it becomes easy enough, but I do like getting home at a reasonable time. I once did 5weeks of night shoots, outside, in February, under rain machines… Safe to say I was losing my mind by the end.

If you had to make a ‘bucket list’ of people you’d love to work with, tell me one name who would be on it?

Oh there are endless examples I could list. The first name that comes in my head is Andy Serkis, he’s one of the finest actors working today, and his work with the Imaginarium is endlessly fascinating to me. There’s also so much incredible talent in the indie film world across England. I’m loving my current collaborations with Trash Arts, and they’ve been kindly connecting me with our indie film makers in the country who I hope to work with soon.

With regards to your own projects? What are you working on that you can tell me about?

So, while I’ve been working overseas I’ve been writing some new projects that I hope to get made soon. I’ve been speaking to Trash Arts about co-producing a short revenge film which I’m extremely excited about. I know the actors I want to cast in the project and believe it could be something thrilling for audiences.

But I’ve also written a short drama set in WWII which has some beautiful sequences that I’d love to bring to life. It’s a project that I’ve been discussing with BoxClever Media for some time, and we’d love to find a way to make it happen.

Do you read reviews of shows that you are in?

It depends if I have a big enough part to be mentioned in any reviews. Honestly though the stress of just opening a review is bad enough, I just want to keep my own relationship with the films I’ve been involved with, and my relationships with those films are built on the experiences I had and the friendships I’ve made. I certainly hope people enjoy the films, but I’ll avoid the reviews.

Let’s shine a light on some of your past work. Which of your projects are you most proud of?

King Lear remains the project I’m proudest of, just because of how terrified I was doing it. It was the first acting job I’d had in years, since I had been an Assistant Director for some time, and I suddenly found myself on stage with some of the most remarkable actors in the country, moving to London and doing 100 performances at the Duke of York’s Theatre… I still find it difficult to comprehend. It was such a special experience that it was the reason I continued acting and haven’t stopped since.

Out of all the projects you’ve done, which one do people seem to ask you the most about?

The project I got the most messages about when it was released was Baby Reindeer. I only popped into that for an episode and had no lines, but it was a fun featured role in an incredible series, and I’m so glad it found such a passionate audience. Richard & Nava were a joy to work with and I learnt so much from my short time on set.

What’s the most difficult thing about your creative journey?

I have a lot of issues with self confidence, so often it’s just a difficulty in putting myself out there to do an audition, or email a director or producer and pitch myself as a potential asset to their production. This is also a business built on disappointments and doors being closed in our face, and we need to keep pushing ourselves to not be disheartened. I’m very fortunate now to have a wonderfully supportive agent with Emma Edwards of Soteria Artist Management, who really helps me through these emotionally tough aspects of this business.

And, the flipside. What’s the most enjoyable for you?

For me it’s the potential to challenge myself with every new job. Currently I’m performing on stage, speaking all my lines in Mandarin, which is a language I am not fluent in, and that has been a massive challenge, but I’m so grateful that I did not give up and pushed myself onto that stage. When I return to England my plan is to continue challenging myself by making a return to the director’s chair, while I’m also hoping to get involved with my action focused roles. Challenging myself physically on sets. This industry is full of potential opportunities. And I plan to grab as many of them as I can.

Charlie Bentley from the film Peter Rabid

I was chatting with Mick Garris (The Stand, Hocus Pocus) a while back and asked him which name springs to mind when he thought ‘Oh MY i’ve met them’ My reply was George A Romero (Night Of The Living Dead), Mick’s was Steven Spielberg.  Who would yours be?

I still struggle to comprehend that I met and worked alongside Ian McKellen for a year. And he was everything I would have wanted him to be. Kind, thoughtful, generous… And getting to watch him work taught me so much.

If you can sit down with any one living person and chat to them for two hours? Who would you choose?

Oh there are so many…

The name that has sprung to mind is Judi Dench. She’s an incredible actress who I don’t believe has ever given a bad performance, I don’t think she’s ever even been mediocre, she’s always wonderful to watch. She also seems like someone is incredibly kind, and in a business where back stabbing can often occur, kindness is an important quality to have. I read the book Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by her and Brendan O’Hea, which was a wonderful look into her career. I would have to try and avoid only asking questions about James Bond though.

Martin Kemp & Charlie Bentley in the film Doctor Plague

Many thanks to Charlie for taking the time out to take part in this article series. Whilst the questions are similar in each article,  the answers are always wonderfully different.  

You can find Charlie’s social media accounts here