What training have you received?
I went to Drama school at Drama Studio London. I also have taken the course in the Meisner technique led by Tom Radcliffe at The Actors Temple.

What kind of roles attract you?
It varies. I like to be as versatile an actor as possible, even though it is sometimes hard to be permitted that freedom by the industry. I like roles that will stretch me, that challenge me. If the character’s story is meaningful in some way to me and/or says something significant about the times we live in, then that would also attract me to play it. But I’d also like to do a nice action movie or something with stunts and stuff, like the BOURNE films. They’d be great fun!

What’s the best advice that you’ve been given as an actor?
I’ve been given three great pieces of advice: never settle for less than your best, ever. If you go to an audition and give the best of yourself, even if you are totally wrong for the part, they will never forget you. Also, to realise—especially in film—that the actor is only a small component of the whole process of the filmmaking experience—and to that end actors must have the same respect and mindfulness for the other crew members that they are given in return. Thirdly, never show up for work unprepared. Ever. In an industry that is over saturated anyway, you can never afford not to be at the top of your game.

Most significant moment in your career so far?
On film I feel immensely privileged to have played a leading role in Universal’s UNITED 93, directed by Paul Greengrass. It was the working experience of my career so far, and a story that affects every person in the world today. It will also be a defining moment in my career. In the theatre my most significant experience was playing Pantalaimon, Lyra’s Daemon, in the National Theatre’s production of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

You’ll die happy when…
Tough question. I don’t really want to consider my death—I’ve still got too much living to do! I guess I’ll die happy when I’ve lived fully.

www.jamieharding.com ■

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