Check out our interview with talented award-winning actor Matthew Postlethwaite.
Matthew is best known for his role as Nipper in the critically-acclaimed series Peaky Blinders. He currently can be seen as the lead in the award-winning short film The Great Artist. The film recently made history winning the award for “Outstanding Song [short film]” for the track “Brave” at the acclaimed Hollywood Music in Media Awards with Matthew for songwriter credit.
Matthew owns a successful production company called Purpose Co. alongside his production partner, Sunny Vachher, an award-winning Film & TV Producer, Executive Producer, and Digital Content Executive of productions has achieved international success and celebrated recognition globally at prestigious film festivals around the world such as Cannes Lion, SXSW, LA Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Comic-Con, Sundance, AFI Fest and many others.
Follow Matthew @matthewpostlethwaite
Hi Matthew, please tell us a little about you?
I’m an Actor and Producer.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative, Ambitious, Kind.
How did you get started into acting?
I have acted my entire life. I started acting in school but even before that I would put on shows with my brothers.
How has this changed your life?
I don’t really know my life without it. It definitely impacted my life greatly, when I was 21 and moved from England to America for my career.
What is the best and worst part of being an actor?
Best: The craft and experience
Worst: I get consumed by acting, which I personally love, but my friends don’t because they don’t get to see me for a few months. I’m getting better at it.
Tell us about your work in critically-acclaimed series Peaky Blinders and your role as Nipper?
The show changed my life. It certainly changed my acting style. Working with the talents of Helen McCrory and Cillian Murphy taught me a lot. Their craft is something I look up too.
How was it working with such a talented cast?
The cast were phenomenal. Everyone brought their ‘A’ game, you could feel it when you walked onto the set.
Now tell us about your lead in the award-winning short film “The Great Artist?”
The Great Artist is a film about an artist who deals with Dissociative identity Disorder. Through his work he is able to express himself and his identities in different ways.
How do you prepare for a role?
It took me a year to prepare fully, and three months intensely just before shooting.
I’m a big believer in understanding the character like their part of you, they have to be if it’s to be believable. The challenge with this was that there were 5 Identities. 5 times the work.
What other projects do you have coming up?
We’re turning The Great Artist into a Series. And I have two feature films we’re adapting.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I like drama/ action. It’s more real and authentic. For me that has always been the case at least.
Now tell us about your production company Purpose Co.?
Purpose Co was created to drive and bring transformative change within cinematic film. To empower minority groups that are often segregated from society and show them in a different light. A force for good. It was founded with my talented production partner Sunny Vachher.
What is different from Purpose Co. to other production companies?
Purpose Co is a new type of production company. Founded on the principle of creative film and TV for a purpose, to drive forward the narrative of minorities.
We want to tell stories in different cinematic ways. Stories that make a change, a change for good.
Any advice to other entrepreneurs?
Be specific. And aligned with people who are on the same mission as you.
As a popular actor you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of always doing the right thing, and encouraging people to follow their dreams?
Honestly I try not to think about it. I try to do the right thing in all aspects of my life, and my focus is on acting and being the best actor that I can be. Everyone one should follow their dreams. What a waste of a life if we chose not too.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Acting. Creating projects that I can act in. If I could live every day on set I would.
How would your best friend describe you?
Probably as ambitious. I believe we are all here for a reason and Acting and changing the social construction through film is my reason.
What’s next for Matthew Postlethwaite in 2021?
We’re developing The Great Artist into a TV series, and under our production company have two more films in development.
What is your favorite healthy food?
I eat a lot of chicken and rice.
And your favorite cheat food?
Pizza. By Far Pizza.
How would you explain your fashion style?
Simple, no logos.
What is your own definition of happiness?
When I am on set. Doing what I believe is my purpose on this earth, Acting.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
As an actor, probably James Dean, It would be fascinating to have a conversation with him about his mind.
Best advice ever given?
You can fail at something you don’t want to do, so you might as well try at something that you want. It was my mother that first said it to me, a lot of historians have said it in the past, but It sticks differently when it comes from a family member.
Do you support any charity?
I support a lot of mental health charities, Movember, NAMI, The Suicide Prevention Life Line, Boo2Bullying, Tethr, Stand with impact..
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I envision myself running a studio; having multiple shows on the air and producing a lot more films. And of course acting in some of them
Favorite song? Why?
At the moment it’s Brave by Pia Toscano.
I co-wrote the song with Jon Altham and it hits on a different level every time I listen to it.
The verses are about our struggle through life and the chorus is about finding our strength.
Pia Toscano’s voice is one of the greatest living right now. A phenomenal talent and friend.
Also Jamie Miller – Hold you ‘Till We’re Old is the song I have on repeat right now, that guy can sing!
What do you think of the world of Social Media, Can people use it for good?
Of course people can use it for good 🙂
Where can we follow you?
Instagram @matthewpostlethwaite
Twitter @mattposs
The Great Artist @TheGreatArtistFilm
Book: I have 1,000. But I love, The Four Agreements, The Velvet Rage, Broken People by Sam
Quote: “People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World, Are The Ones Who Do.”
Movie: Blue Jasmine
TV Series: Peaky Blinders
Favorite Food: Pizza
Travel Destination: I love America, I love the UK. I have the biggest desire to go to Hawaii
Photo Credit: Theo and Juliet
