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London. Home feels like an early morning walk by the river. I’m an early riser and if I go out before anyone else and have a minute on the river, that’s perfect. So I would say home is an early morning somewhere along the Thames.
What was your first apartment in London?
It was in Kentish Town on a high street not too far from the Pineapple Pub. I grew up in Hammersmith but when I first moved out there were a bunch of actors living in North London who I met on jobs. Having grown up west, I thought I’d try the north, and I have such fond memories of Kentish Town.
Acting. I was only 10 when I got my first film role, in Peter Pan. A casting lady came round to my school looking for lost boys and I think a bunch of us looked lost. Suddenly we were involved in an audition process and that’s how I got my first job, which started me on my way. We shot in Australia, we went on this crazy adventure for a long time, eight months. When I got back I thought I’d try this again – pirate ships, bows and arrows, I’ll have some more of that please.
George MacKay in Peter Pan
Where would you recommend for a first date?
The French House in Soho. It’s a vibey place and you can’t use your phone there, which I think is helpful for a first date. There is a great energy in that pub, there is an intimacy. It’s a good way to get to know someone if you can squeeze into a seat at the bar or table. And if things go well, you’ll be surrounded by other places to ride.
What businesses do you trust?
I’m not a big shopper, to be honest. It’s really just grocery shopping with the family, various local supermarkets. That is the honest answer.
What’s the best meal you’ve had in London?
The Bull & Last in Kentish Town does a really good Sunday roast.
What would you do if you were mayor for the day?
I would make all public transport free.
Who is the iconic Londoner?
Marc Bolan. He died very sadly not too far from where I grew up in West London. I love T-Rex, but I watched a documentary about him and was surprised when I found out he was a hippie and a mod before that. He went through all the iconic London style strains.
Where do you go to have fun?
Honestly, just being with my kids, they make me smile so much. And around every table with my mates – that can be in the corner of a pub, or in a kitchen, wherever.
George MacKay as Edward Ferrars in the brand new Sense & Sensibility with Daisy Edgar-Jones
Focus Features LLC / Alex Bailey
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said?
A guy once told me that there is only one street in the W1 postcode. Everything else is a street, a crescent, an avenue or a mews. And the only street is Tottenham Court Road. This may need to be fact checked. Will I ever get recognized? No, not too much.
What is your favorite art?
I love the National Theater as a building. I love the Brutalist style. Same with the Barbican. I would consider those buildings to be works of art.
Pure Gym. So you can go anywhere. For actors, it’s something to stay in the middle and be in shape, then you can kind of go up or down and whatever a role asks for.
What is your biggest extravagance?
Probably good pub grub, as they are expensive. A Sunday roast is not to be sniffed at.
Getty
What do you do for work?
I’m in The Animals, a short film that premiered at the London Film Festival. It is written and directed by Calvin Demba and is about a man named Miles who is in the seven year itch stage of his relationship and feels inadequate compared to his friends. What compounds it are these attacks – their friends’ home was attacked by attackers in animal masks, but the man in the couple was able to fight back, which sparked new life into this relationship. Then he finds out that there is more to these attacks than he thought. It’s about insecurities, masculinity, couples… Calvin has his own voice, it’s surreal and funny and packs a punch.
When you need headspace, where do you go?
For a walk along the river or the park. Just for myself but also when I’m working on something. I like to learn lines on a walk, or shout at something. I recently came back from a project and we flew over London and saw how gigantic it is. I love it so much as a city and I feel so proud when people speak fondly of London.
The Animals has its world premiere at the 70th BFI London Film Festival as part of the I See Myself Shorts program on 16 October. Tickets: whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff
