Versailles Interview with Stuart Bowman on the Series' Farewell Season

Stuart Bowman on Bontemps in season 3 and the task of protecting and guiding King Louis XIV, the fondest memories of living in Paris and working on an equal footing with people of all ages

Foto: Stuart Bowman, Versailles - Copyright: Canal+
Stuart Bowman, Versailles
© Canal+

December 2, 2018 by Nicole Oebel @philomina_


It's been over a year since you wrapped filming Versailles. Looking back, what comes to mind when you think about this journey?

The main thing has been the new relationships I've formed - most notably with the city of Paris. What a privilege it has been to see so much of such a majestic place from an 'insiders' perspective.

What was it like approaching season 3? It was potentially going to be the last, but you also got so many new things to do, action scenes...

I think my favourite thing about season 3 was the amount of horse riding I got to do - it's a thrilling thing to be taught a new skill by the best in the business. I wasn't entirely convinced by Bontemps' brief outing as an action hero however - I missed the more subtle stuff between himself and Louis - hey ho...

In the Man in the Iron Mask storyline Bontemps' loyalties and morals are being tested and in a way his character arc mirrors both Louis's and Fabien's: Are they the right people in the right job? How do you feel about this final challenge for these men?

I'd have loved to have seen, and played, the repercussions of conscience for Bontemps facilitating the fascistic tendencies of Louis, but that wasn't the way the writers went. What we did see was Fabien getting his come-uppance for defying the King, so, as far as he was concerned, I guess he was the wrong man for the job!

Bontemps' approach to Philippe is an interesting one. In season 1 he's a father figure only to Louis, in season 2 he turns to Philippe for help when he feels he's losing influence with the King, and in season 3 he's determined to keep Philippe from finding out about the Man in the Iron Mask. Do you think it reflects Bontemps' focus on the job?

Yes I do. Bontemps, throughout the three seasons, never veered from the task of protecting and guiding the King - the Man in the iron Mask storyline reflected that.

Foto: Stuart Bowman, Versailles - Copyright: Tibo & Anouchka / Sky
Stuart Bowman, Versailles
© Tibo & Anouchka / Sky

As Bontemps you were part of turbulent scenes between the brothers or MonChevy and Alex mentioned working with you, Joe or Steve with regard to maturity as an actor and allowing a process. How do you feel about that? What are your thoughts about working with these fiery pairings?

Alex and I had a couple of interesting 'talks' which I hope he remembers in years to come..!!

One of the great things about this business is working on an equal footing with people of all ages. It's lovely being around the energy of youth, but it can also be quite exhausting; I think my life was a little bit easier when Joe and Steve were on set!

Joe may or may not have let us in on the war cabinet fun between takes, Martian voices, Glasgow Lounge singing - so much comedic talent in this cast! If you could do any other kind of show together, what would be the dream job?

I quite fancy being an ugly sister with Joe...

When you watch the show back, what are the scenes you enjoy laughing about?

Showing Pip Torrens into his wee cupboard was fun!

Last but not least: Which was your last scene to shoot and what do you remember best from this day?

God, it's all a bit vague now - I think it was night time on the new set and there weren't that many other cast members around, so all a bit inauspicious I'm afraid... I do remember George's last scene, at the grave of the Man in the Iron Mask - that was rather moving.

Your series Bodyguard, a contemporary thriller starring Richard Madden, aired in the UK in Septmeber. I think you mentioned in an interview that you started shooting very soon after wrapping Versailles?

'Bodyguard' was hugely successful in the UK, and has now been released worldwide on Netflix with a similar response. Thomas Vincent was the director who cast me in 'Bodyguard' and the director on 'Versailles' that I felt the biggest affinity with. I'm hoping that the success of both of these shows will allow me to collaborate with some more great directors that I may not have previously had access to.

You've also posted teasers about Lore, a horror anthology series. I read you shot it in Prague? Have you done horror before, what's your way in with dark material like that?

Same as any part - what makes him do what he does? The genre is irrelevant - the integrity of the story is what matters - why are we telling it, and what does our telling of the story do to make that 'why' clearer..

Our final Versailles interview, Stuart, let me say a huge thank you! Each and every interview I got to do with you guys I did smiling from ear to ear, one eye laughing, one eye crying!

It's always been a pleasure, Nicki. Good luck with everything you're doing!

Related: More interviews with the "Versailles" stars

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