Martin Freeman Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ
Martin Freeman breaks down his most iconic roles, including his characters in 'Black Panther,' 'The Office,' 'The Office,' 'Sherlock,' 'Love Actually,' 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' 'Fargo,' 'The World's End' and 'Breeders.'
Breeders premieres March 2 on FX & FX on Hulu
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Martin Freeman Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ
"Everything in life is easy, unless you want to be good at it" - I love that quote.
Perfect isn't it!
👍🇿🇦👌💯
It's beautifully put, and words to remember in day-to-day life :)
😅इतिहासमा ❤
Like beating your kids, like Martin Freeman does.
He is so good as an actor at disappearing into a role, I actually had a shock when I realized how many things I had seen him in before Sherlock...
Yes, afrer seeing him in Sherlock and then looking him up on IMDb I realised I'd remembered his characters - but not him - in Love Actually and Hitchhikers. Curiously the same with Jason Alexander in Pretty Woman - remembered his role as Richard Gere's sleazy henchman, but didn't realise it was him as George when Seinfeld started.
Watch Start Up, he creeped me out in some scenes.
Have you seen BREEDERS, i just discovered it a month ago. N its my top 3 easy.
Absolutely!
If you think that then sorry but you don’t know much about acting. He literally plays the same person in everything he does. However I still find him very watchable and enjoy it but disappearing into a role he does not.
He and Andy Serkis were the only two white actors in Black Panther. He played Bilbo and Serkis was Gollum. They were the Tolkien white guys.
Well Martin and Benedict combo I fell in love in some wierd way started with Sherlock then gone to Hobbit ( Benedict is the dragon) and ended up in Marvel universe, although they haven't met there ... yet. Serkis is a thing yes, but those two have gone side by side for a longer time. What's next?
This comment needs more love
Noice
A+ pun mate
EddyTeddy 2018 called....
I admire this man so much, mostly for playing Bilbo the way he did. He's one of those actors who make you instantly forget they're an actor as soon as they come up on screen. It is pure joy to watch him do his thing.
He honestly was the most fitting actor for the character AND a really really good actor props to him
He is a plus, and one of the best aspects of any movie he is in. Even cinema sins love him
I'd seen a lot of his early stuff, like The Office. But the first role I saw him in *after* seeing him in The Hobbit was as Lester in Season 1 of Fargo. That's when I finally saw the true extent of his acting skills, because those were incredibly different roles and he nailed them both, and they were produced very close together in time.
“showing off your cheekbones” shade to benedict? lol
Ooooh I missed that, when did he say that?
@Zara Hoffman Probably was. There's an episode in Sherlock where John actually complains about Sherlock's cheekbones and looking cool.
Legit came to the comments because I had that exact thought and wanted to see if anyone else did too 🙊
Zara Hoffman no. They are good together. I’m sure it was in jest!
I thought he was throwing shade at what’s his face who played legolas
I love hearing all his views and opinions on acting. He seems like he's really smart but so real and down to earth at the same time.
Is that Ron Swanson?
xCrimson BladeX ಠ_ಠ yeah
You came here after nick offerman's video right???
Zayn Ali no, Nick's was just posted today. But thanks for notifying me tho lol.
@@abolishice591 Good choice
Martin: *breathes* Me: WHAT AN ICONIC MOMENT
Martin on Bilbo's face: I was thinking of sort of a woodland creature Me: HEDGEHOG!
dude is wearing TWO button up shirts. what kinda madman is he...?
Josh McIver an English one
Josh McIver he’s probably cold 🥶 but yes ur right lol
He’s mr. Madness
Should’ve said wakanda
Bilbo baggins
People finally realizing this man has been in a bunch of memorable movies and shows.. like finally
Martin Freeman, as John Watson, many may have overlooked you, but know that Sherlock would have been nothing without you.
I admire his acting skills and the characters he chooses to portray. He's a charming man who wants to try and make movies by playing characters that have substance. I admire him as an actor and person.
Well, he said he used to smack his kids
@@coyote000 Relevance?
@@dinkledorfette Nothing to admire
@@coyote000 Do you know what your comment reminded me of? Let's take apples, for example. I like red ones. Let's say you like green ones. •I say, "I love the taste of red apples." •You reply with, "Green apples are better." •I say, "Okay, that's your opinion, to which you're entitled to have. I still prefer red apples, myself." •You say, "I said I like green apples." You continue this in the hopes that I'll agree with your opinion that green apples are better. Why? Bc regardless of your personal opinion, I still prefer red apples. So, your opinion was stated with no purpose in mind other than to illicit discord. Next time, scroll by. It hurts you none that I like red apples. You'll survive if someone else doesn't share your preference to green apples. 🌸✌🏼
@@dinkledorfetteNo, I reply to what I want
He just did the same interview pretty much over on Vanity Fair 6 days ago. I thought it felt familiar.
Yeah I was having a major deja vu moment.
SonOfAKing yh. I had to check again
YEAH didnt i just see this lol
Although he says some new stuff thankfully
Right??? I thought it was the Mandela effect!
It doesn’t matter if he’s a supporting actor or if he is the leading role. Martin Freeman is a massive enrichment for every movie he’s in. I could’ve not seen any other actor in the role of Bilbo. This guy is so underrated.
Martin Freeman has been successful in more or less everything he's appeared in and continues to be in demand for acting roles in varied genres and media. He is admired and respected by directors and fellow actors and very popular with audiences. So he is not underrated at all, he is in fact highly rated, and rightly so.
There we have it, someone had to go "he is so underrated". He is not. He may just not be as widely recognized (as in "I know that guy!") as Brad Pitt, but pretty much everyone who has ever watched him perform will think he did a stellar job. And I kinda think he is ok with that.
i agree with him, John Watson character was always underestimated before gatiss/Moffett one.
I guess Jude Law would beg to differ
Nonsense!
@@flatscan1978 watched it, no matter how i like both actors, impv they're not even fit for the characters
@@shokurokhforuz1957 yeah that's true,i love jude law and robert downey,but if you say sherlock and john watson to me,my mind will always imagine ben and martin.
@@flatscan1978 The thing is Jude Law as Watson wasn't truly beneficial to the movies. That Watson, played by Jude Law, did not offer a lot of importance and development in the movies he was in. I still think Jude Law is a great actor and I still enjoyed the Sherlock movies but Watson had such minimally vital role. His doctor degree hardly came into effect, he could barely hold his own in a fight when he's a combat medic, and rarely offered any genuine insight or wisdom. However, Martin Freeman as Watson offered a lot of productivity. His medical expertise came in a lot, his military background showed that he was well-versed with handguns as well as with combat. Watson was very confrontational and offered much humanity and wisdom to the things that happened in the show. If Sherlock was on about something, maybe being insulting, Watson would immediately try to soothe the situation and knock Sherlock down a peg or two for Sherlock's insensitivity. The BBC Sherlock is far superior to all other renditions of Sherlock and Watson merely because of the equality that the show lends to the two characters. If it were mostly about Sherlock, what point is there in Watson being around? That's why BBC Sherlock is so good. Both characters are important and you've established a sort of background and emotional connection to both of the characters and thus you couldn't see the show without them. They are monumental characters and roles for the show.
He's one of those men who got so much more handsome with gray hair.
Yes! You are do right.
real
You ain’t lyinnn 😍
Its good to hear him talking so positively about Sherlock. Sometimes the media makes it seem like everyone involved hates it now, especially Martin.
Huh, I thought only the fans hated that show
He's genuinely one of my favorite actors. He seems like he has such a good grasp and understanding of why he does what he does, he's so funny and has this weird mix of humility and confidence. He's handsome to boot.
i love the sudden martin freeman contents popping up here and there
The new sherlock is the only one I've seen that Watson is mostly on the level with sherlock it was refreshing I binged 3 seasons in 2 days
Michael Hooper that sounds like a lot but there are only 3 episodes a season 😂
i binged all 4 seasons in one weekend last year in like august
@@JerichaG92 Yeah but it's like watching 9 movies in 2 days
I mean, it was really when they started making the Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes movies (which btw were technically the first time Holmes was put in a "contemporary setting" since they all took place when they were made, around the 1940s) and had Nigel Bruce as his John Watson where they leaned in HARD to making the Watson character the bumbling sort of wistful fool who would mostly sort of do some helpful things completely by accident, that it was making him straight up silly. In the original stories Watson is a very accomplished doctor and is a mature gentleman. He's obviously not at Holmes' pure intellectual level and with his deductive abilities, but he compliments Holmes extremely well and is generally still more capable and intelligent than the average citizen pulled out of a crowd.
Same
Let's take a moment to realize how spot-on his American accent was in Black Panther
Ben Unknown Seems like most British, Scottish, Irish, and Australian actors are spot on with American accents. Not so well the other way around.
His accent in Fargo was really good also
@J.R. Wavy that’s very true
To bad Black Panther was complete garbage.
@@Schmorgus no it wasn't
I love how Martin embrace all his roles and own his success. Not in a prideful way, but in a way that he did the best he could possibly done with no regrets
Martin's trying to kill me with his yacht daddy looks.
Lmaooo i do see it but he’s still not attractive to me
yacht daddy 💀💀💀
LMFAO
ikr
you can really see how dedicated and passionate he is. MAD RESPECT
Watson was the first character I ever saw him play and I really think his Watson was more of an equal to Sherlock and his character stands alone brilliantly
I'm sad he doesn't speak about Cargo. His role is incredible and conveys a sadness and despair only fathers would understand. Top class actor.
Was about to type this comment myself. He was brilliant in Cargo
18:39 SOMEONE PLEASE CAST HIM AS THE GUY WHO COMES OFF THE YACHT WITH A MARGARITA ALREADY. this list also needed ricky c, iain mackelpie and phil rask btw
And Dixon. Hector Dixon. The charisma and that smile, and then two pops. He played that role superbly.
trying to get your cheekbones into it...... *cough cough* Benedict!
That should have been written into a Sherlock episode, it was a very Watson (as he played him) thing to say.
@@sherrieludwig508 It's there, I can't remember the episode but I definitely remember a comment about 'doing that thing with your cheekbones'
@@AndyParry82 It was in HOtB when they are leaving Baskerville the first time
@@ceegee55 That's right I remember it now. That's the problem with binge watching them again over a few days. A lot of the episodes tend to blend in.
and then Sherlock straightens up the collar of his coat even more 😆
In my opinion, he's good in each of his roles. He just brings something truly refreshing, and it is clear that he genuinely enjoys what he's doing. I truly respect, and admire him. Plus, he is so humble, absolutely not big headed and that's quite a thing when you're this popular and iconic.
Lester Nygard is my favourite Martin Freeman character
Highly agree
Fargo is one of the best TV shows of this Decade. So perfect !
@@Bobbaloomis season 1 and 2 were very good and season 3 was good
Agree, can’t wait for S4
Finally. Was scrolling for this comment!
just like vanity fair, y'all missed out Nativity which is the very definition of iconic role!!!!
Nativity was the first movie that I watched with Martin in it, I watched it 2 years and he stood out to me
Martin Freeman is one of the most talented actors today. Nice to hear him speak about his roles, and hear how much he loves it. It shows
He's delightful. He was the quintessential young Bilbo and forever will be. And as far as woodland creatures I imagine a somewhat slow and deliberate yet slightly skittish squirrel. That natural warmth and wit is priceless, wholesome yet cheeky.
I just LOVE his insight in Bilbo. That's one of my favorite characters in literature and I loved his portrayal. Learning about these traits that made Freeman's acting so genuine made it clear why he seemed so believable.
Totally agree and loved that movie and think it gotten unfair critics. Freeman actually overshadows other depictions of hobbits on how I perceive them (including those in LOTR).
I could listen to him for hours. His goal of bringing truth is 100% on b/c I've felt all of his characters in a very real way. That's what makes him so truly incredible and talented.
I'm in acting school right now so this video makes me so happy and excited. It's exactly what we're being taught every day. I was especially thrilled when he talked about imagining Bilbo as a woodland creature and picturing how he would act at the bottom of the food chain because that's one of the exercises we do in class. We imagine a character as an animal and research and study the movements of that animal, so we can take those gestures--like what Martin said about the ears--and reimagine how those articulations might look on a person. It gives characters so much life, so it's really cool to see someone using those techniques in the professional world.
His best role will always be Bilbo Baggins to me, the humanity and kindness he brought as the character was so believable and endearing!
I saw the Hobbit because of my son who is a fan, later with Sherlock I discovered it in Watson and in other
His mindset towards his acting at 16:16 really struck a chord with me, it can be applied to so many things in life
Martin Freeman has such a nice soothing aura, I could sit and listen to him talk for hours
The guy literally transformed into Lester in Fargo season 1, insanely talented.
9:22 It's been over 3 years and he still has a existential crisis whenever he has to say the word 'friendship'
He paused a long time before saying 'love' too
It’s rare for an actor to spend the time and energy to be as truly open and honestly vibrant as he is being here. A real treat 🤍
I loved him in The Office. He paved the way for the actor who played his role in The Office USA, even down to the little glances to camera.
What I love about this interview the most is that he’s being honest what being a parent is actually like. I am so fed up with parents making it seem like it’s the most wonderful thing all the freaking time.
I loved hearing that. I always enjoy when parents share their horrible moments parenting. It helps me realize I'm not a monster. I do love my kids but they do drive me crazy sometimes.
Martin Freeman is one of my most favorite actors. Him as a person and him as an actor is amazing. Funny guy! Really enjoyed this GQ :)
i lost it at 'god i'm such an amazing icon!' lmaooooo martin we love you
He's brilliant in everything. But I gotta say, the final scene of Dawn leaving to go back to the USA and Tim's reaction, was my favourite piece of Martin's acting. You really felt his pain.
I´ve said this before, and I´ll say it again. If I ever could have three famous friends, it would be Emma Thompson, David Tennant and Martin Freeman - precisely because of how un-celebrity-like, down-to-earth, normal and yet utterly hilarious they all are. On top of which, the sheer amount of talent among them is unbelievable!!!
I have seen many of these actor break downs, and this is the first one where I've seen all the movies and series he's talking about. I love Martin Freeman, both his acting style and the way he talks in interviews.
I can listen to this dude all day
How has he not been casted as a villian in a period drama yet? He shoots out his lines like a firecracker and can pull off a subtly menacing, stern demeanour when he wants to
Current major crush on Martin Freeman after watching The Responder this week. What a fabulous talent 💜
Me tooooooo
i don't know why, but i love his voice more than anyone's else 😂
I like it very much, as well. Is it a central London accent? Or where? It is a great voice quality.
no idea actually
Bilbo is one of the best characters on Tolkien’s stories and that’s saying a lot since Tolkien has so many fantastic characters I just love Bilbo’s simplicity and he shows a lot more bravery than most characters cause he was the only one in the quest who didn’t know how to fight and didn’t have experience with adventures, and he still saved everyone more than once, Martin did such an amazing job with Bilbo ❤️
He's so fabulously real & down to earth and obviously highly introspective. An incredible actor who's played some very interesting characters.
Man he did so many iconic things
The first time I saw Martin was on Fargo and then I saw Sherlock and I never realized he was actually British he pulls the American accent so well
I feel like he's very underappreciated. The man has been excellent in so many great shows and films. Wonderful actor.
wow, what a genuine guy. he just seems so at ease with everything, and his acting is absolutely fantastic. I love how he's so amazing, and he knows that he is, but he's not puffed up by it. he seems so down to earth, I'd love to meet him.
Love this dude so much. He’s so intelligent when it comes to acting, and so well spoken. He’s also a fantastic actor who consistently chooses great stuff
title: "breaks down his most iconic characters" thumbnail: *bLaCk pAnThEr*
Ross was amazing
i’m so very glad this video is a long one. hearing and watching him talk, giggle, making different expressions. I just love to see him anywhere
I have to agree with Philippa Boyens (one of the Peter Jackson Middle Earth screenwriters). Martin Freeman really was the only choice for Bilbo Baggins.
I love Martin Freeman; I’ve just begun season 1 of Sherlock, it’s phenomenal. He was also great in Fargo and Breeders is one of my favorites.
About the Sherlock, when he talks about how it's still a Sherlock show. I think it's good to point out that the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes were thought by Watson's point of view, so it makes sense that he's a very important character.
Him and Benedicts chemistry is amazing!
I know right? I love their friendship❤️ My favourite duo 😍
His comment about how feeling pressure doesn’t help at all is so true. This was how I learned to deal with trauma medicine. Freaking out was never going to make me perform better.
His John Watson was amazing - they worked so well together it was so enjoyable and I'm sure I'll still watch the show in 30 years ^^ Also I'm not a huge Tolkien fan - just enjoyed the movies so far but his performance as Bilbo was so entertaining and the chemistry he had with Thorin was so good that I do think I prefer that trilogy over the original XD
Would love to have a nice chat with him over a cup of tea
"Everything in life is easy, unless you want to be good at it."
I'm glad he talked about Fargo. great show.
Thats all i came for
No Cargo? loved that movie to bits, and his acting was really moving
i liked Martin Freeman a lot before watching this interview, now i love him.
Watson was the best part of Sherlock.
My favourite character in Sherlock is John Watson ❤️
Lester Nygaard my favourite role Martin has done. Fargo is a fantastic series and Martin's role was award-winning.
Man, that show (Fargo) is incredible, it is so awesome, I reallllllllllllllllllllllllllly wish I could listen to it again for the first time !
John Watson is definitely on par with Sherlock. Two sides of the same coin. John has made Sherlock a better person and you can really see the evolution throughout the series. As Martin says, they really take lumps out of each other. They care so much for each other but as in real life, it's also messy and complex. I really really really want season 5. Moffatt and Gatiss are superb writers. Can't wait to see where they take this.
his acting in fargo and sherlock is SUPERB
Hi didn't talk about Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - I love that movie
He's at his cutest in that one
Omg his Scottish accent in that film. 😍😍😍
His best character ever was in The Startup, such a good role and the first time I heard him do an American accent, playing a genuinely intimidating character- go watch it you won’t regret it!
He's such a joy to watch, an incredible actor, very natural.
It's so great to hear his insight and his thinking process for how to handle problems and view problems. It's not just about acting, it's quite broad for general human experience shared by most people. Many stars like building up a persona for PR, he just went along and talked about real experience and real problems and be realistic
My favourite story in Fargo was his. He nailed it. Breeders is also an excellent show. I'd seen Daisy Haggard in 'Episodes', and she and Freeman really make for a realistic, modern married couple without all the tired clichés.
At first the reasons why I watched The Hobbit is because I'm a fan of the books and trilogy then I was so moved by his performance that I immediately search his filmography and watched Sherlock because of him.
I follow him since Sherlock and his portray of John is amazing and I like how he has the streets smart and was a skilled doctor/soldier, so is not just a sideckick but an active asset for the resolution of the cases. And himself, he´s charismatic, humble and I like his voice tone, it's kind of soothing, that's how I started to follow some of his other works.
He oozes class. A great and respectable man.
I love him so much, I'm glad to see him being recognized, because his filmography is iconic
I feel like he's an actor's actor. Just seemed super professional Loves The Craft and seems to have fun too.
I'm surprised his American accent is so good, I didn't know it wasn't real. Great acting.
all these posts talking about what they admire about him YE I ADMIRE SOMEONE THAT HAS A BUTTON UP AND A BUTTON DOWN SHIRTS ON AT THE SAME TIME AND IS ABLE TO PULL IT OFF
The 1 character I always wanted to hear about was Ricky C in ‘Ali G In Da House’
Martin Freeman is just one of my favorite actors ever. I adore him in everything.
He's talking about showing off cheekbones completely aimed at Benedict and I thought it was pretty funny.
Same thought 😂
I love him. That’s all. That’s it. He can have my heart and stomp on it.
No ali G in da house? What kind of Farce is this?
kzhead.info/sun/ddSndpWAeoNmjac/bejne.html
This list is incomplete without the legendary Ricky C.
I’m doing it, I’m rocking, I’m kicking it......nice
Currently watching ‘Breeders’ which is a really great series.. As a parent to two kids (now in their 20s) I can relate to their exasperation..& losing their sh*t on a daily basis 😂
I love this and it's funny seeing how many roles I've seen him in. I do wish he talked about Cargo. I fell in love with him as an actor at that moment.
he has so many iconic characters, he looks extremely neat and one word to describe him, ADORABLE :) woooo, i just finished it and we have sth in common, he's so many iconic roles
he has a novel approach towards acting, I love him.
Never heard of Breeders but Martin summed up parenthood perfectly. I told my friend once that parenthood brings the worst out in you and he was surprised. I think I worded it bad but Martin summed up exactly what I meant.