LAST WEEK, LUTHER FORD WAS LAUNCHED FROM RELATIVE OBSCURITY AS AN UP-AND-COMING ACTOR-WRITER-DIRECTOR, INTO AN IMMEDIATE SUPERSTAR – WHY YOU ASK? WELL, HE JUST PLAYED ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS RED HEADS ON THE PLANET, PRINCE HARRY, IN THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED FINAL SEASON OF THE CROWN. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE RISING BRITISH TALENT TO CHAT ABOUT HIS NEW LIFE AS A HAZZA LOOKALIKE… ALTHOUGH HIS MUM DOESN’T THINK HE BEARS ANY RESEMBLANCE TO THE HOT-HEADED DUKE AT ALL.

Left Shirt and tie **Valentino**, coat **Simone Rocha**
Right Full look **Maison Margiela**

Firstly, have you ever met a royal or had an experience with a royal?

I once saw Tom Parker Bowles in a newsagent. Does that count?

Um, ok… what’s the most British thing about you?

I’m playing Prince Harry in The Crown. I don’t know if I could do something more British than that. How about, I drank many cups of tea whilst playing Prince Harry in The Crown?

Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**

Yes, speaking of Harry… have you read his book then? I’m thinking Spare might not have been part of your preparation for playing him in Season 6 of The Crown?!

Of course I have! Or I listened to the audiobook on repeat at least. The early chapters were very useful for the period we were dealing with. Most scenes could be linked to a specific chapter. It was kind of perfect really, I’d check in with him in my trailer just before heading onto set.

Left Full look **Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello**
Right Full look **Miu Miu**

When you’re playing a real-life figure, is the impulse to go on a YouTube deep dive to watch as much footage as you can? Or did you delve into the history and spend hours practicing in front of a mirror to perfect his voice and mannerisms?

A lot of both. Like all departments, The Crown’s research team have incredible resources and provide you with amazing attentions to detail. When I first got the part, I was sent a library of documentaries, articles, interviews, and books. That was also the moment when I began to realise, “oh fuck, I’m actually doing this!” I just stayed in my room for about 2 weeks and treated it like I was preparing for an exam. Lots of red notebooks. I always spend too much time writing out titles. But I looked for all the details and insights that I could understand or relate to. And absolutely, I’ve been on every YouTube deep dive you could imagine. The holy grail really was an interview he did for his 21st birthday. That was my soundtrack for 6 months. Though in the end, you do have to leave that all behind and let go. It’s not an impression, it’s about building on an essence, I think. Ultimately these are characters in Peter Morgan’s world.

Cardigan, sweater and underwear **Miu Miu**, pants **Zadig&Voltaire**

How did the audition for the part play out, and why did you go up for it? Have people told you in the past that you bear a strong physical resemblance to the younger prince?

So, my brother’s girlfriend sent me the open casting call, which my sister had reposted on Facebook. Clearly, she is the better casting director. It was something along the lines of “You’re ginger, and you have a cheeky smile, so why not?” I’d never acted before on any professional level or been to drama school, but I’ve always acted in my own films out of necessity. So yes, I thought what is there to lose? It seemed so unusual that something as huge as The Crown was doing an open casting call. I had a perfect blend of logic, “It doesn’t work this way - you haven’t got a chance” and then a dose of naive arrogance, “Yeah, but I think I might get it.” So, I didn’t feel any real pressure. In terms of a resemblance, no, not really to be honest. But then again, when you’re ginger, everyone thinks you’re related. I have to thank my brother’s girlfriend, so thank you! My mum’s exact words I think were, “you don’t look anything like him, course you won’t get it.” Funny.

You know that Harry binge-watches The Crown with Google open, fact-checking everything, which he revealed on The Late Show in the US. No pressure then?!

Yeah… I feel he’ll have a tough time if he is fact-checking. I think it’s sort of widely acknowledged that it’s Peter Morgan’s reimagining. It is a drama after all.

Left Full look **Prada**
Right Full look **Dior Men**

Well, season 6 takes place in the late ’90s and early 2000s. What can you tell us (that you’re allowed to), about some of the scenes you’ve filmed and locations. Are there any highlights which you can’t wait for audiences to see, or scenes that really challenged you?

It’s like being on a tour with a really strange band. Imelda Staunton is leading the way. Great singer! We went all over the country filming in various country homes and estates - it was incredible. That was definitely one of the best things about filming as I really got to know the UK geographically in a way I never have before. Well…I can’t say too much, but I think I’m most excited to see how the story of brotherhood translates. It’s not black and white, there’s a lot of love between them, but also a lot of competition, pain and resentment.

Left Shirt **Maison Margiela**, Tee **Jordanluca**
Right Full look **Ferragamo**

The series catapulted Emma Corrin to global fame as its Princess Diana, are you ready for what’s coming, being on the cusp of mega-stardom?

No. I try not to think about any of that to be honest. I don’t think that rule applies to everyone so I’m just rolling with the punches.

Has this experience changed how you perceive Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family when you see them on television, do you empathise with him more?

Absolutely, I think it’s almost impossible not to. Especially when you’ve spent so long thinking about them as a family, rather than as an institution. You have to find a connection, which can be difficult because they’re also so alien!

One thing you’ve got to love about acting is just the ability to lose yourself. What kind of stories are you interested in exploring and telling, or genres you’re drawn to?

I think often I’m drawn to things that are on the darker, more twisted side, but still intimate. I like things that have a sense of reality - that feel real but also exist within a heightened world. I’m interested in family dynamics and the rules and rituals of our relationships. I also like a bit of silence.

Who inspires you? Actors, musicians, writers – anybody!

Ooh okay, it changes all the time but right now; Julia Ducournau (I loved Titane), Céline Sciamma, Steve McQueen (I just watched Shame), David Lynch of course - what an artist, Mac Miller, Isabelle Huppert, Franz Rogowski, Mark Rylance, Alexander McQueen, Jim Carrey, the list goes on and on and on…

Left Full look **Alexander McQueen**
Right Full look Valentino

You’ve also written and directed your own film shorts and are currently studying to be a director at the Arts University Bournemouth. Tell me more about your goals? Did you go to acting school at all and do you want to pursue acting full-time or a bit of both with the directing too?

Yes! I’ve always made films. Me and my long-term collaborator, Cameron Moffat, have been creating things since we were 7. Perhaps partly since when growing up I wasn’t allowed to watch TV, so in a strange way that was how I’d entertain myself. But as I grew up, I fell in love with watching films and thinking about stories. We’re working on a number of projects at the moment and have our eyes on a horror film next! I know I want to work in this industry in some form, it’s all I’ve ever thought about. I think ideally, I’d do both! That’s Ideally.