Horrifying to watch myself on screen says Hugh Grant

So would you rather play a baddie than be the good guy?

I never used to think I would, but now I do. Being a baddie suits me better, I think. It’s closer to me. Also, the layers of duplicity that come with playing such roles suits acting because it is all about covering things up.

You have also described this as the ‘freak show’ phase of your career. What do you mean by that?

Just that. I’m at the freak-show stage where just about every role I’m offered is some kind of a weirdo, freak and pervert. And now, animals too. I have just been offered the part of an orangutan!

What was it like working with Jerry Seinfeld?

Great. There’s this thing about us hating each other, but we actually got along really well except for one teeny-tiny row over one scene. We’re quite similar. Jerry even does a pretty good impression of me, which is flattering. But, I started out doing sketch-show comedy, so I have always had more in common with comedians than actors.

Would you say there is any difference between American and British humour?

Very little, in my experience.

Do you ever improvise your great one-liners?

Sometimes, but they’re mostly in the script. Sometimes I make something up and it works; sometimes it doesn’t.

What would you be doing now if you hadn’t made it as an actor?

Before acting, I was in advertising. I wrote and produced radio commercials and was quite happy doing that. So, maybe I would still be doing it if this hadn’t worked out. I wrote some good ads for Mighty White bread, Brylcreem etc.

Everyone is excited about the return of Bridget Jones. What can you tell us?

It’s a good script. It’s the best of the four films so far. It’s based on the Helen Fielding book, which was inspired by her having to bring up two children by herself after her husband died. It’s going to be funny and moving.

Did you ever think you would be reunited with Renee Zellweger for another Bridget Jones film all these years later?

No, never. It’s all a pleasant surprise, to both of us. I thought we were done but then, you never know. Do you?

Do you ever watch any of your old movies?

No. Watching myself on screen is horrifying. But, if I had to choose, it would be Music and Lyrics. But generally, I wouldn’t watch it. It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to watch myself.