Hype Podcast talks to Alexander Vlahos about his fearless new BBC series Versailles, the Merlin fandom, and his everlasting love of Doctor Who.
Alexander Vlahos has been one to watch since he debuted as Merlin‘s Mordred almost five years ago. And, after a long absence from our screens, now you can finally watch him again! Vlahos stars as Prince Philippe in the Anglo-French production Versailles, which premiered earlier this week in the U.K. on BBC Two.
Versailles is a no-holds-barred, raw, sexy, dangerous and emotionally devastating deep-dive into the French court during the rule of Louis XIV. With sex and death being their only currencies in a time where the King’s word is absolute law, nobles and commoners alike grow increasingly more paranoid and desperate as Louis moves his entire court from Paris to the palace of Versailles, and as plots against the crown turn friends to enemies in an instant.
Alex Vlahos plays Louis’ brother Philippe, a gay man married to the woman Louis loves, and whose deepest desire has always been to lead an army into war. Vlahos was kind enough to participate in a podcast interview with us about Versailles, his career and fandom in general.
The written interview below contains bits of the podcast discussion, but we definitely recommend listening to Alex tell you all of this (and more) himself. You can listen to the interview directly in the podcast player below, or see more download options here. It’s also available via iTunes and the Podcasts app.
Listen to the full Alex Vlahos interview:
Or read what he has to say below:
Hypable: Versailles premiered in the U.K. this week! How are you feeling?
Alexander Vlahos: There’s a range of emotions going on at the moment. We know the show’s a success worldwide, everyone loves it! But episode 1 went out [in the U.K.] on Wednesday, to… let’s call it a plethora of mixed reviews. What do the British say? It’s marmite. But I don’t think it is. We’ve done really well, the fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, so it’s kind of a weird place at the moment.
But some of the reviews have been excellent, and the show doesn’t stand and fall on one episode. It’s a 10-hour drama. We’re not a miniseries. There are plots that carry all the way through to episode 10. It’s a slow burner, and also a fast burner [laughs]. Versailles has everything.
And like you said, a lot of the reviews, but also the audience reactions on Twitter, have been extremely positive.
I know, it’s lovely. You know, it’s weird, because I keep finding myself in shows where it creates fandoms. Why is that, Selina? I mean, I’m not complaining!
If a show has a fandom then that means that a show has passionate and caring and creative people behind it, the people that tune in to watch the show. So we’re eternally grateful for the Versailles love we’re getting on Twitter because it means that we’re doing a really good job and that the show is good, you know?
I think you’re on the right track with the passion because I do think that, when you’ve got this group of people working really hard on something they love, you’re creating this world, you’re bringing those people to life. I think you do attract those kinds of fans, who want to be in the world with you.
And they are the best fans. I’ve come out publicly — I kind of got pushed into the corner about wanting Merlin to come back and, I mean, I’d love to come back. But not to do the show, to meet the guys again.
And after that article, suddenly all of the [fans] came out of the shadows! And it was great to see, because I haven’t really had that Merlin love since the show finished, was it four years ago maybe? And I realized that this is why I was so nervous on Wednesday, because I haven’t been in a TV show at all since Christmas Eve, since that fateful episode–
[involuntary noise of sadness]
Oh, yeah, let’s not talk about that!
We’re not over it yet!
No, we’re not there yet [laughs]. It’s still too soon! But also… you put yourself out there as an actor, for the positives and the negatives. I think I just need to get a bit tougher skin as an actor. It’s life lessons, I’m learning. And yeah, positivity from now on! I can’t wait for people to see episode 2, and really episode 3. I think that’s when the show really kicks off.
And you do have that support remaining from Merlin. You’ve got those people in your corner, and that’s one of the most amazing things — when you came out and said that thing about Merlin, three different people tweeted me about it [laughs]. Because that community is still there, it’s still so active and engaged, and it’s not just about wanting more Merlin. It’s also, ‘look at these great people that we’re fans of, still being interested in what we’re interested in, and who are still doing these great things.’
Yeah. I’ve joked about Merlin being one of those jobs that’s gonna follow me to my grave, but I kinda look forward to it. I look forward to coming out of the stage door as a 56-year-old actor and signing a picture of me as a young Mordred. I think I’m kind of wistful about that, it’s kind of romantic in a weird way.
But these fans, they’re lovely, they’re passionate. And even by me doing that article I started talking to Eoin [Macken, who played Gwaine]. We talk and text all the time, but that sort of out-there, talking in front of the public eye is kind of fun because you just remind the audience that we still love each other.
Going back to you saying that you’re putting yourself out there as an actor, and especially on a show like Versailles: One of the things that I was a bit taken aback by, in a good way, is how completely raw it is. The way the show sets up these extremely raw and crazy dynamics that just grip you, it’s so intense.
That was one of the first things that struck me. [When I got the part] I started learning about the dynamics of this crazy dysfunctional family, this almost dictatorial leadership by Louis, and this homosexual younger brother who loves wearing women’s clothes but also is a fearsome warrior… and you’re thinking, ‘They’re making this up!’
Philippe has been one of the most emotionally, physically draining roles I’ve ever had. It takes a lot out of you, being this guy. He is almost quadrophenic in personality. He’s almost bipolar, I think, and schizophrenic in that weird dichotomy of switching between wanting to be a woman but also wanting to be a fighter, wanting to be gay but also having to love his wife. […] And it’s been an absolute joy of a part, and what a gift. It’s a challenge, but that’s what you want as an actor, you want to wake up every morning and be challenged artistically.
And that’s another thing about the premise of this show, and the ‘nakedness’ of the thing, is that it’s capturing this extremely interesting time period where everything was in conflict. It was beautiful and decadent but it was also extremely constraining–
–And seedy as well, and kind of very vulgar. But we also have to remember that the French are very liberté, they’re very carefree, even back then. As Brits we’re very conservative, so I think we’re getting a lot of press because, oh God–
It’s so scandalous.
It’s so scandalous. But sex — let’s try to rub our eyes and squeak out our ears for a little bit. Sex is a currency in this time. Sex is probably more important than money, than wealth. It’s vital at court. And if we didn’t show sex, and if you knew the history books and knew that Louis had four mistresses and was going through women like salt, if we didn’t show that, then we would get criticized. So we show it, and then we get criticized.
People are coming out and saying it’s porn in cravats, but God no, ’cause if you just let that one 30-second clip slide, there are 52 minutes of drama that’s surrounding it, that’s enveloping that little sex scene. It’s just one of many flavors that we have on this show, and I’m hoping that people just carry on and start tuning in for the right reasons now.
And another thing that’s so freeing about this type of show, and you very much see that over the course of the 10 episodes, is that, on one hand you have all these [strict] values, and on the other hand we have your character’s relationship to the Chevalier… and what I love is that it’s just there. His sexuality, his relationship with the Chevalier, the sexuality of it is not the conflict of the story.
No, not at all, the conflict comes from the Chevalier as a character, whispering and changing Philippe’s viewpoints on his brother. And I think we generally represent the best relationship on screen. They show great amounts of affection toward each other, and deep down there’s an utter, true love there. And it’s been one of the things that I’ve been most proud of on this show is that relationship. And me and Evan Williams worked very hard at finding the light and shade within how much the sex is important, and how much just them sitting in front of the fireplace and holding hands is important.
And Louis has a lot of relationships with a lot of women, but you have to understand that it’s not about the degradation of women, it’s about the currency; it’s about what he needs to fulfill himself as being a true king. He needs [his Spanish wife] Marie-Thérèse for the politics, he’s in love with [Philippe’s wife] Henriette, and then you’ve got Madame de Montespan, who’s this manipulative, cunning, smartest woman in court. So they’re all different facets of showing power and intrigue and relationships.
I love the understated representation, especially nowadays when you have so much talk about us needing representation everywhere — here comes Versailles and just does it so casually.
[Laughs] It kinda does. And this is what’s kind of frustrating about the publicity of the show is that they’re focusing on the raciness of it. And we should be championing that we’re showing LGBT characters, we’re showing women in strong, powerful situations, we’re showing men in strong, powerful situations. Like I said, there’s many flavors to this show that we should be focusing our energy on.
How is the future of the series looking? Do you know anything beyond season 2?
Hmmm, how much can I tell you? You know how season 1 ends, and I’m so proud of episode 10. All the threads come to their conclusion with a few left dangling to set up season 2. With season 2 we pick up six/seven months after season 1, and again with season 2 we span a couple of years of history. Season 2 focuses on the Affairs of the Poisons, so that’s our arc.
And I’m sure there’s going to be a season 3. There’s talks already about it. We’ve got the studios booked until 2018, so we’re quietly confident that we’re gonna be able to tell another year’s worth of stories, which is great. We’re just waiting for the green light from Canal+.
So, if I can throw a question back at you: When you watched the show, did you binge it?
I did.
See, this is what I think: People’s attitude and routines about how they watch television has changed from how television is still being made. Netflix created that binge watching mentality. But I think Versailles kinda suits that.
I agree.
Because they’re very much standalone episodes without any real fallback. There’s through-lines, but there’s no sense of urgency. But it entices viewers, and it encourages them to just watch 10 hours of drama. It’s kind of like one big 10-hour film, if that makes sense.
It does. And I also think, at the end of the day, it’s a character thing. What kept me coming back was, ‘What’s gonna happen to Henriette, or Philippe, or the female doctor–‘
Claudine.
Claudine, she’s my favorite [laughs].
Of course she is! She’s our favorite as well. And I don’t think Lizzie Brocheré knows it, but I think everyone champions her on set. Claudine and Jacques, the gardener. We love the gardener. But yeah, I think the show grows on you, and I think that’s my argument, I think we’re very quick to judge in television. But no, come on, watch episode 2. Just give it time.
And it gets so interesting, because then you start caring about everyone…
Ahhh yes, that’s when it pulls you in!
Exactly! I have to know what these people are gonna do to each other. And then, even when you start knowing people, there’s always that sense that, at any time, someone could make an alliance. Someone is pulled into something, someone betrays someone else — and that was probably what it was like at that time, in a lot of ways.
Oh God, yes. It’s so convoluted, so intertwined, it’s like a poison ivy web. People have described this show as a costume drama, but that’s just putting it in a box. This is like House of Cards stuff. This is political intrigue at the highest level, and just because it’s set in the 17th century… you know, Louis is trying to fight tax avoidance. What’s happening in the U.K. at the moment? People are talking about tax avoidance! We couldn’t be mirroring any more if we’d planned it. But society mirrors itself and goes on loop over and over again. And it’s what you said earlier: It’s a character-driven show.
I love how you compare it to House of Cards because I hadn’t drawn that connection, but it’s actually pretty good.
The layers, the doubling up, the sneakiness, the deception, it has all of that in it. But yeah, the show does kick on from here, it gets better, and I think by episode 3, that’s the moment people are hooked. There’s no turning back then. So just persevere.
Let’s finish off with a segment we call How We Hype because I wanna know how you hype. What is catching your attention in fandom right now? What are you a fan of?
Well, you know me, that’s a silly question. I’m probably the most out there actor to be hyping Doctor Who. I will plug it till my dying day.
Yeah, you really are a Doctor Who superfan.
I am! And I’m not ashamed of it. I absolutely love the show. And I’m really looking forward to seeing [Pearl] Mackie, the new companion. I think she’s going to be great. I will tell you that I had reservations, before I saw her, about it being another girl. Because I just thought: Now is the time to do a Jamie, to do a highlander, when you’ve got an older Doctor ala Troughton, ala Hartnell.
[So] give him a guy that’s not from current modern times and just see what that dynamic’s like. Cause we are so caught up in the older Timelord/younger girl thing. And maybe there’d be room here to buck the trend a little. But then I just read that Steven Moffat said they were close to casting a black actor before Capaldi, and how amazing would it be to have a black Doctor and a black companion?
Yes, I saw that too!
And it would be amazing. But also I think we’re missing the point because it shouldn’t be amazing. We’re in 2016 for crying out loud. We shouldn’t be talking about this anymore. It should just be a given.
Also with the Harry Potter play, and Hermione being black. Who cares?
Exactly! Did you see the photos? Doesn’t she look incredible?
Yes, they look so good.
Not once do you look at that and think about Emma Watson. You look at that and you see a family. And you think, yeah, that makes sense! No, I think we’re past that now, and it might take a show like Doctor Who or the Cursed Child play to start twisting people’s viewpoints of this topic. But yeah, I’m always hyping Doctor Who. I’m the Hype Master — hang on. I’m the Hype Lord.
[Laughs] There you go.
You can stick that in your podcast! [laughs] Oh God this is so gonna come back to haunt me, isn’t it?
Yeah, especially because you were so excited about it [laughs]. Well, I’m glad you were able to come on the show, and that we can help spread the word about Versailles because I think it’s worth spreading the word about.
Yeah, I think this positivity thing… Can we just get off [the controversy] now? It’s yesterday’s news. I just want people to start enjoying the show. We just wanna start spreading positivity, baby!