Steve Orme Interviews Matthew Cottle

He’s been described as one of the UK’s most respected actors: for more than 30 years Mattthew Cottle has made his mark in television, film and theatre, building his career on versatility and dedication to his craft.

He came to prominence in 1995 when he landed the role of quirky, lovable Martin Henson in the BBC sitcom Game On. The series lasted for four years and made him a household name. But, as Matthew points out, things were very different then.

“Back in those days there were only four TV channels. So we got a lot of people watching it. I became quite known from that.”

It’s one of the roles people associate Matthew with most of all. He’s also known for playing Prince Edward in two series of The Windsors, the Channel 4 satirical portrayal of the royal family.

Matthew is continuing the royal connection in his latest role, By Royal Appointment, a new play which highlights the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her dresser.

Daisy Goodwin who wrote the historical television drama series Victoria which starred Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria was commissioned to write By Royal Appointment.

“The producer thought it would be interesting,” says Matthew, “to take a behind-the-scenes peek with the Queen about how they came to choose the outfits and the hats she wore for weddings and funerals.” 

Matthew plays the Queen’s milliner: “He’s Australian. At the beginning he’s youngish and very excited to be in the presence of the Queen and they become almost friends because they spend so many years together.

“The Queen wasn’t really interested in fashion and design at the start but she got to enjoy spending time with these people and I think the audience might too.”

The cast includes Jane Asher as the Queen; Laura Main – best known as Shelagh Turner in the BBC drama series Call the Midwife – as the Queen’s dresser; and David Robb who played Dr Clarkson in the television drama series Downton Abbey as the designer.

Matthew says they are great people to work with: “We’re in rehearsals and you’re very much focussed on the work. You tend to get to know the people more once the play’s on and you get evenings down the pub afterwards. 

“But everyone’s very well cast. I think Jane Asher is perfect for the role of the Queen.”

It seems that people can’t get enough of the late Queen. Matthew believes this is because she was such a presence in our lives.

“Whether you’re a royalist or not, she’s the one we all loved. She was the only monarch I ever knew. There’s a deep love and respect for Queen Elizabeth II although we don’t really know her.

“If you asked everybody who their favourite royal was over the last 100 years, I think she’d come out on top.”

Matthew Cottle was born on 16th February 1967 in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. He pursued his passion for acting from an early age and he studied at RADA, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, said to be a “world leader in dramatic arts training”.

On graduating he went straight into what he calls an easy role in television, playing a ballroom dancer in a BBC sitcom called Taking the Floor. “Nobody remembers it because it wasn’t very good,” says mild-mannered Matthew.

“I suppose it got my foot in the door and I’ve carried on since then. I’ve been fortunate to make a living in a profession which is uncertain. I’m still enjoying it.”

Roles followed in Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, EastEnders, Spooks and Citizen Khan in which he played mosque manager Dave in 18 episodes.

His film career is equally impressive. He gained plaudits for his portrayal of Stan Laurel in the 1992 film Chaplin which was directed by Richard Attenborough. When he returned to the big screen in 2019 to play Mr Spenlow in The Personal History of David Copperfield, his performance was well received.

Matthew also has extensive experience of theatre and his longevity is down to his versatility.

“I enjoy comedic roles but I also like the challenge of doing the other stuff. I’ve learned it’s harder to make an audience laugh.

“I’ve changed a lot. I’m nearly 60 now so I don’t get cast in the same sort of role as when I was in my twenties.”

Despite that Matthew is still being offered fabulous roles. In May he played Polonius in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet in a National Theatre production which had transferred to Brooklyn.

“I stepped in because the original actor couldn’t do the New York leg. It was really such a fantastic show, one of my most enjoyable jobs. I loved it. And the New York audience loved having the National Theatre doing Shakespeare. That was a big tick. It was good fun.”

The run of By Royal Appointment has a break over Christmas because “I think some people are doing pantomime. I’ve never done panto. I’ve never been asked. What’s all that about?

“But I have done Christmas plays. I played Scrooge in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story (by Mark Gatiss) in London last year and the year before I did the same part at Birmingham Rep. I loved the experience, I really did.”

Matthew has appeared regularly in Nottingham over the years, notably taking the role of Energy Secretary Peter Walker in Beth Steel’s play Wonderland which looks at the legacy of the defeat of the miners during the devastating strike.

“I’ve worked with (Playhouse artistic director) Adam Penford before at the National Theatre. He asked me to do it. In Nottingham we got a standing ovation at every show. I thought it was a brilliant production. I was really proud to have been part of that.”

Matthew has also played the Theatre Royal a few times: “There’s always a really good, appreciative audience. It’s one of those places on a tour where you go ‘oh, good, I’m glad we’re going there’. It’s always well attended and I love it.”

After the tour of By Royal Appointment Matthew has nothing in his diary: “That’s not unusual. But I’ve reached the age now where I do enjoy the gaps. I don’t like going literally from finishing a show on a Saturday and starting a new one on a Monday. I like having a little reset.”

Matthew always wanted to act and has no desire to write or direct: “I just want to keep working. There’s no one part I really want to do. I just want to keep ticking along.”

Some of the audiences who go to see By Royal Appointment will no doubt be attracted by the presence of Jane Asher as the Queen. But they will no doubt also experience an inspiring performance from Matthew Cottle which led one magazine to call him a “respected figure in the entertainment industry” who has succeeded through “talent, hard work and dedication”.

By Royal Appointment will be at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham from Tuesday 6th until Saturday 10th October.