Phil Davis has had a distinguished career, receiving widespread acclaim for his ‘invisible’ acting. This article illuminates Davis’ approach to acting via a transcribed interview conducted at the ‘Acting on Television’ symposium at the University of Reading in 2016. This material is framed by a contextualising introduction that proposes that John Flaus’ concept of lamprotes is useful for understanding Davis’ acting. The interview is structured by four case studies exploring Davis’ work across a range of medium/genre contexts: feature film Vera Drake, docudrama The Curse of Steptoe, drama serial adaptation Bleak House and crime drama Sherlock.
A Christmas Carol (2017–2018) Stage play. Writer David Edgar (adapted from Charles Dickens) Royal Shakespeare Company.
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Alien 3 (1992) David Fincher, 20th Century Fox.
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Angels (1975–1983) BBC.
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Austin-SmithB (2012) Acting matters: Noting performance in three films. In: TaylorA (ed), Theorizing Film Acting. New York: Routledge, pp. 19–32.
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Being Human (2008–2013) BBC.
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BenjaminW (1968) The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. In: ArendtH (ed), Illuminations. New York: Schocken, pp. 1–26.
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Bleak House (2005) BBC.
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BurrellI (2012) Never mind pretty, he likes it gritty. The Independent, 29 April, 28.
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CantrellTHoggC (2017) Acting in British Television. London: Palgrave.
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ChungHS (2006) Hollywood Asian: Philip Ahn and the Politics of Cross-Ethnic Performance. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
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Doctor Who (1963–1989, 2005-present) BBC.
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FlausJ (1992) Thanks for your heart, bart. Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies5(2): 179–224.
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FriedmanSO’BrienDLaurisonD (2017) ‘Like skydiving without a parachute’: How class origin shapes occupational trajectories in British acting. Sociology51(5): 992–1010.
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GilbeyR (2013) Brando, Streep – and Davis: Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis has cited Phil Davis as a key inspiration, alongside the Hollywood greats. The Guardian, 13 March, 18.
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Gotcha (1977) BBC.
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GrahamJ (2012) Phil Davis: The Best Acting is Reacting. The Big Issue, 14 May, 22.
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High Hopes (1988) Mike Leigh. British Screen Productions, Channel 4 Films, Portman Productions.
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In the Name of the Father (1993) Jim Sheridan. Hells Kitchen’s Films, Universal Pictures.
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Merlin (2008–2012) BBC.
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MillsB (2008) After the interview. Cinema Journal47(2): 148–153.
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Nicholas Nickleby (2002) Douglas McGrath. United Artists et al.
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North Square (2000) Channel 4
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Notes on a Scandal (2006) Richard Eyre. Fox Searchlight Pictures, DNA Films, UK Film Council et al.
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PearsonR (2010) The multiple determinants of television acting. In: CorneaC (ed), Genre and performance: Film and television. Manchester: Manchester University Press, pp. 166–183.
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Poldark (2015-present) BBC.
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Prime Suspect 5: Errors of Judgement (1996) ITV.
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Quadrophenia (1979) Franc Roddam. The Who Films, Polytel.
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Restoration (1981) Stage play. Writer Edward Bond. Royal Court Theatre.
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Rose and Maloney (2002–2005) ITV.
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Secrets and Lies (1996) Mike Leigh. Channel 4 Films, CiBy 2000, Thin Man Films.
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SextonM (2015) Philip Jackson: The craft of acting. Journal of British Cinema and Television12(1): 121–126.
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Sherlock (2010– present) BBC.
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Silk (2011–2014) BBC.
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Steptoe and Son (1962–1974) BBC1.
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Tales from Hollywood (2001) Stage play. Writer Christopher Hampton. Donmar Warehouse.
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The Bounty (1984) Roger Donaldson. Dino de Laurentiis Company, Bounty Productions Ltd et al.
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The Curse of Steptoe (2008) BBC.
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The Firm (1989) BBC.
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The Professionals (1977–1981) ITV.
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Vera Drake (2004) Mike Leigh. Les Films Alain Sarde, UK Film Council et al.
