Jonathan Holmes has graced our screens in many hit television shows and exciting movies, now this talented British actor plays Childchewer, one of Roald Dahl’s iconic giants in the Spielberg directed Disney feature, The BFG, alongside Mark Rylance, Jemaine Clement and Bill Hader.
We got five minutes to sit down and ask Jonathan exactly what it was like to film on this summer’s big blockbuster and working with film royalty, Steven Spielberg.
You play one of Ronald Dahl’s iconic Giants Childchewer in Spielberg’s The BFG, Can you tell us more about this character?
In the book we don’t get to learn too much about the individual Giants, so we had an opportunity to create aspects of their character. Childchewer emerged as the vein adolescent of the group.
Did you have to use motion capture? If so was that quite difficult?
Yes we did. We were fortunate to have 4 weeks of rehearsals to get used to the funny suits and head cameras, so by the time we were shooting we’d become quite used to all the gear.
The BFG is a book for kids; did you have to re-read the story to familiarise yourself?
I have a 10 year old daughter who is a big Road Dahl fan, so all the books have been in regular rotation in our house for a few years now.
The whole film has a magical and nostalgic ambience especially the opening scenes where we see you drunkenly walk the streets, how much of this was felt on set during filming?
It really was a delightful set. Steven did a wonderful job of creating a lovely atmosphere throughout the whole shoot. So yes, there was magic in the air!
Stephen Spielberg is one of the biggest directors you could ask for, what was it like working with him?
He was fantastic. He went out of his way to make us all feel welcome and at ease. He was the most enthusiastic guy on set and still has this wonderful drive to make the best possible film he can.
How did you go from working on British TV to actually getting a part in this year’s summer blockbuster?
I was asked to audition! It was one of those serendipitous moments when everything came together. There’s something to be days for being in the right place at the right time.
You’ve already had a long career in front of camera, what are your own personal highlights?
Working with Martin Freeman and Toby Jones on Peter Greenaway’ s “Nightwatching” was a big thrill. Playing a sleazy small time crook in “Rogue” was also hard to beat.
The BFG is out in cinemas NOW.
