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My conversation with Cosmo Jarvis is a mix of both calmness and restlessness. He is a 34-year-old actor who is friendly and approachable when we first meet, dressed in a plaid shirt, black jeans, and worn-out sneakers. However, an hour later when we say goodbye, he gives a firm handshake and calls me a “legend”, wishing me a safe journey as if he were a flight attendant and I was a tourist. But to himself, he is less forgiving. He becomes frustrated when he can’t find the right words and even holds his head in his hands while searching for an honest response. Our meeting is marked by pauses, but they are thoughtful rather than awkward. “I’m just talking nonsense,” he admits after one long-winded answer. “This is impossible!” he exclaims after another. It seems as though he is carrying a heavy weight on his shoulders.

As he takes on the lead role in Shōgun, a 10-part period adventure based on James Clavell’s bestselling novel set in feudal Japan, the weight of the production is increasing. This story has previously been adapted for television in 1980 with Richard Chamberlain in the lead. The series features a mix of political intrigue, lavish sets and costumes, and violence reminiscent of Game of Thrones. In the first few episodes alone, there are multiple decapitations and a graphic scene of a person being boiled alive. The actor playing the lead, Jarvis, brings a brooding and wild energy that contrasts greatly with Chamberlain’s smooth and charming portrayal. He plays John Blackthorne, a character loosely inspired by Captain William Adams who was the first English person to set foot in Japan in 1600. When Blackthorne’s ship is stranded in a Japanese harbor and his crew taken captive, he becomes entangled in local power struggles and eventually rises to the rank of samurai, complete with his own army. The series also features epic battle sequences that would have impressed legendary filmmaker Kurosawa.

Starring in the series, which was filmed in Vancouver over the course of 11 months, was a huge challenge for Jarvis. This is not surprising, considering his previous roles in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi show Raised By Wolves and Peaky Blinders, where he portrayed the tragic and traumatized Barney, involved in a plot to assassinate Oswald Mosley. While these roles have established him as a lesser-known Tom Hardy, with a similar blend of sensuality and brutishness, Jarvis has mostly worked on low-budget, independent projects. Many viewers may have first noticed him in his role as a rough groomsman caught in a passionate affair with the mistress of the house, played by Florence Pugh, in the psychological drama Lady Macbeth set in the 19th century.

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about how he was

“He shared, ‘It was a challenging task for me.’ He recognized that it required a high level of authenticity, so he made the decision to just go for it. What did that involve? He responds with a hint of humor and frustration, ‘It’s difficult to put into words!’ He has a clear vision of what he needs to achieve. I suppose the determination to ‘just go for it’ stems from… without a more structured or articulate approach… mentally reaching that goal.” He discusses his process.

He performed impressively as Wentworth in the empty Netflix adaptation of Persuasion, starring alongside Dakota Johnson as a smirking, Fleabag-inspired Anne Elliot. However, for Jarvis’ most emotionally powerful performance, there is nothing better than Calm With Horses, where he portrayed Arm, a combination of attack dog and lackey for an Irish criminal clan. Immersing himself in that damaged mindset for 11 months likely had an impact on Jarvis. Similarly, embodying the confident and assertive Blackthorne, who could make Richard Burton seem indecisive, proved to be a transformative experience for him.

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“I had a great time portraying him because he had a deep understanding of the subject matter,” he explains. “That’s not something I’m accustomed to. It became effortless and I even lost sight of myself. It influenced everything, even my interactions with people at the 7-Eleven in Vancouver.” Did he maintain any of the character’s confidence once filming was over? “Absolutely not!” he stammers. “No way.” He gazes at his knees. “I wish I could have.”

Learning how to operate a flintlock pistol was beneficial for building confidence. However, researching proved to be more challenging. Initially, the focus was on linguistic accuracy, but the author now considers it to be mostly irrelevant. Instead, archive recordings of sailors from Kent in the early 20th century provided valuable insight. Despite attempting to imitate the high-pitched voice of one of the sailors, the writer realized it did not fit the character of Blackthorne.

The authenticity he desired ended up being found close to home. “My father is a sailor and I drew inspiration from him. His confident way of speaking was fitting for Blackthorne.” His father also offered guidance on navigation. “There’s a scene where Blackthorne is taking a depth reading with a piece of rope coated in tallow. Originally, he was supposed to use a sextant, but the weather was too bad. My father suggested the alternative method, and the props master agreed to it.” Jarvis has watched enough maritime dramas with his father to know how he would have reacted to any mistakes in Shōgun. “I couldn’t help but think of him sitting there, just as I’ve seen him do before. You know, when the captain says ‘Starboard’ and the ship turns to port. He would have said: ‘That’s ridiculous!'”

Jarvis, born in New Jersey, has an Armenian-American mother. Did his father happen to be sailing there when he was born? When asked about his parents’ meeting, he seems unsure and avoids the topic. He clarifies that he has never asked them about it and adds that he has never lived in America, having moved there as a young child.

Does he have any attachment to the United States? “I don’t feel attached to any particular place,” he replies. Not even to Totnes, where he grew up? Despite his soft Devon accent? “I don’t really think about it. There are more important things to focus on, like starting a family.” He places his hands in his lap and I notice his wedding band. “And trying to make a positive impact through my work.” He explains that he saw Devon as a place to escape from. “I was well aware that there were limited opportunities for those interested in the film industry. That’s why I moved to London.”

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Jarvis gained recognition through his work as writer, director, and lead actor in The Naughty Room. This DIY comedy, set in a hazy atmosphere, follows a young man who is confined to the bathroom by his mother. The film was shot at his grandmother’s house. In addition to his film work, Jarvis also released two albums, using music as a way to break into the acting world. One of his most popular songs, Gay Pirates, tells the story of queer love on the high seas and was accompanied by a viral music video with a mini-historical theme. Despite his initial success, Jarvis now sees his past endeavors as irrelevant and no longer identifies with them. As an actor, he feels detached from his previous projects and is content with others enjoying them without his involvement.

He spoke with a pleading softness, and it wasn’t until later that I realized he had openly admitted to his past without any pauses or signs of discomfort. When discussing a topic that makes him uneasy, he can speak about it confidently like a winner on the show “Just a Minute.” However, it is the topics that are dear to him that give him pause as he tries to honor or explain them.

After the success of Shōgun, Jarvis will be appearing in several high-profile movies, including Alto Knights, a crime drama featuring Robert De Niro and directed by the renowned Barry Levinson, known for his work on Rain Man. Has he ever reached out to filmmakers he admires instead of waiting for them to approach him? He denies this, stating that he is not good at networking. Has he ever written a fan letter, perhaps to Martin Scorsese? He cringes at the thought and explains that he prefers to go through official channels when seeking employment. He also dislikes being offered a role without auditioning, as he believes it’s important to receive feedback from the appropriate parties. Jarvis’ language reflects a different world from his intense onscreen persona, resembling that of a human resources department.

However, underneath everything lies a strong feeling of necessity. He emphasizes, “There’s a lot that I have to accomplish. There are many diverse characters that may need to be portrayed. You must always be ready to respond.” It’s an unconventional way of expressing it, almost as if acting is his responsibility to society. Maybe directors could signal for Cosmo Jarvis like Gotham City does for Batman.

The series Shōgun will be available on Disney+ starting February 27th.

Source: theguardian.com