The British actor reflects on his journey from theatre to ‘House of the Dragon’, his upcoming role in ‘Blade Runner 2099’ and the importance of original voices in film and television.
From the calculating Larys Strong in ‘House of the Dragon’ to his upcoming appearance in ‘Blade Runner 2099’, Matthew Needham has established himself as an actor drawn to complex characters and unconventional stories. In an exclusive interview with Xmag, he reflects on his career, the psychology behind his most recognisable role and the future of the entertainment industry.
Trained at LAMDA, Needham began his career in theatre before moving into film and television. His performance in the Oscar-winning short film ‘Stutterer’ helped shape his understanding of acting, particularly the power of silence and the importance of allowing the camera to capture a character’s internal world.
That approach has become central to his portrayal of Larys Strong, one of Westeros’s most unpredictable figures. Rather than seeing him simply as a villain, Needham finds something more complicated beneath his calculated cruelty.
“I love Larys. He’s the worst person in the world and he’s fine with that. He’s not so opaque to me. I think of him as an injured animal in the wild doing everything he can to not get eaten by the bigger animals”.
His relationship with King Aegon, played by Tom Glynn-Carney, reveals another side of the character. Despite the manipulation and political ambition, Needham believes there may be genuine affection beneath the surface. “I think Larys kind of likes Aegon as much as he’s capable of liking people”.
From Westeros to ‘Blade Runner 2099’
His next major project takes him into the futuristic universe of ‘Blade Runner 2099’, alongside Michelle Yeoh and Hunter Schafer. For Needham, joining the franchise was an immediate decision. “I really like Blade Runner. It’s got mystery and style. So, when the offer for the show came in I jumped at it. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say but the scripts are brilliant“.
The actor is particularly enthusiastic about Schafer’s performance. “I can’t wait for people to get a load of Hunter as an action star. I think she’s incredible and quite possibly one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met”.
Looking towards the future, Needham believes audiences are increasingly drawn to distinctive storytelling rather than productions designed to appeal to everyone.“I think people are really responding to authentic distinct voices. I’m very excited for the future of movies and television. I think there’s some unbelievably exciting people making stuff right now”.
Despite working on some of television’s biggest productions, his perspective remains grounded. For Needham, every set ultimately comes down to the same thing: people coming together to create something meaningful.
Discover the full exclusive interview with Matthew Needham in Xmag Issue 67, available now.
