Jack Whitehall: ‘Matt Damon’s Mr Ripley inspired my disturbing Amazon Prime thriller’

From his days on Fresh Meat to Bad Education, not many could have predicted that Jack Whitehall would one day star alongside X-Files star David Duchovny.

But ahead of the release of their new Amazon Prime Video psychological thriller Malice, which also stars Game of Thrones’ Carice Van Houten, the funny man has revealed an even more unexpected source of inspiration.

Speaking to Metro, the 37-year-old comedian said that Matt Damon’s performance in The Talented Mr Ripley provided a major help in shaping his ‘male nanny’ character of Adam Healey.

Taking place across six episodes, Malice follows the Tanner family, headed by successful businessman Jamie Tanner (Duchovny), as they take a family holiday to Greece, where Healey (Whitehall) manages to charm his way into their lives.

However, it soon becomes clear that he has ulterior motives and seeks to tear apart their familial ideal.

Discussing the influence that the character Tom Ripley had on him, who was first created by novelist Patricia Highsmith and since been played by Damon and, most recently, Andrew Scott, Jack tells me: ‘That was definitely one of the things that we watched.

‘As we were filming it, [Andrew Scott’s] Ripley came out and his performance is fantastic.

‘I guess probably in our version, it’s closer to the Matt Damon take on that character, where he presents a little bit more effervescence and charm, and then there’s a real kind of gear shift in that movie, and I think the same is true of this.

‘We really do lull the audience in and then pull the rug… and I love those kinds of thrillers and this is very much one of those.’

Also speaking to Metro, Duchovny explains how Jack’s role was ‘tougher’ to play than Damon’s version of Ripley.

‘You look at Ripley, I mean, clearly there’s something off about the guy,’ he says. ‘What Jack has to do, he can’t be giving that away. He has to seem like the perfect guy.

‘Ripley does not seem like the perfect guy. He seems like a right kind of weirdo. So Jack has to maintain some of that charm that he has naturally, but also be a weirdo underneath. So I think it’s tougher.’

Van Houten also says that Jack – who is the opposite of the character he is playing – was ‘so determined and hard-working’ on set.

‘There were so many different skills that he had to learn like little cutting, dancing, driving,’ she reveals.

‘I didn’t know him that well before, but that’s always the sort of misconception that you have about comedians that they’re all over the place, but he’s so quiet and almost retreated.

‘He wasn’t needy in that way and not needy as an actor to work with either. He was very mature.’

Discussing his transition from out-and-out comedy into a more serious, thriller role, Jack explains that he doesn’t want to get ‘pigeon-holed’.

‘Getting the opportunity to do something very different and push myself out of my comfort zone is great,’ he says.

‘I’ve really enjoyed my career thus far, but [in comedy] sometimes you do get a little pigeon-holed playing similar roles, and it was really exciting to have the opportunity with this to do something completely different.’

‘But even with this character, he is presenting this persona and charming veneer and certainly, he has a sense of humour, even if it’s slightly warped.

‘I think there was enough connected tissue to some of the parts that I’ve played before that I was able to apply to this as well.’

Discussing whether he knew he was ready for a role like this, he adds: ‘The minute I was cast in this, I was suddenly overwhelmed by anxiety and imposter syndrome and a loss of confidence.

‘But fortunately, I think I just had a really good creative team around me… It was a great challenge and all the right kind of nerves. It felt very exciting to be going to work every day.’

Commenting on what people have made of his new transformation in this role, he laughs and tells me: ‘That’s great. I just hope people can sort of forget all of the baggage and lose themselves in the storytelling and this character and just accept me as this guy.

‘Forget about all those times I’ve been on screen arguing with my dad or getting footballs kicked at me by Jamie Redknapp. Just forget about that.’

Finally, I ask him what misconception he hopes this role clears up about him.

‘That I’m funny all the time! That’s what I always say about comedy. It’s so annoying because you’re friendly and fun and cracking gags all of the time, and obviously, in real life, you’re not like that. You’re just a bitter disappointment.

‘That’s where my dad’s so lucky because he’s just miserable all of the time whenever you see him on screen, and then people meet him in real life and they’re like, yep, that tracks.’

Malice premieres on Friday, November 14, on Prime Video.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.