Interview with Louis Hunter (Paris)
Interview with Louis Hunter, who plays Paris in Troy: Fall Of A City.
Published: 14 February 2018
Troy is a classic that has it all, and it's a cornerstone of western literature for a reason: these things hold up
What does this series do that might set it apart from previous adaptations of these stories?
I think if you’re going to tell an epic story you can fall into the trap of only showcasing the size of it all. We do show that, but the emphasis is on the characters and the more intimate side of these people's emotions and psychology - whether it's the Greeks and the tension waiting for their opportunity to pounce, or if it's up in the Palace of Troy, waiting for the royals to be able to eat, to be able to feel safe once again, to be able to look after their people.
Every character has their own motives, every character has a fully fleshed out world going on inside their heads. We’re able to do it justice and tell it fully over the course of eight episodes, which you just can’t do with a two-hour movie, for example. Here we can give each key character their due, and I think that is the benefit of telling this story in this medium.
How would you describe Troy: Fall Of A City to someone not familiar with the story?
It's an epic story, distilled into something that is modern and relevant, with so many universal themes to appeal to everyone, whether that is falling in love, whether it's family, whether it's having or losing power, whether it's war, revenge. It’s a classic that has it all, and it's a cornerstone of western literature for a reason: these things hold up.
Tell us about Paris.
His existence at the beginning of the show is very basic - it's about the fundamentals of survival, it's about food, shelter, water. It's as basic as it gets, but then he discovers something extraordinary about himself and suddenly his life becomes a whole lot more complex. Quickly he must become more aware of his new responsibilities, and the major way in which actions can affect the rest of the world.
I think he always felt as if there is greater purpose waiting for him, but he’s not sure what it is, so when it is suddenly thrust upon him it takes time to adjust to that. Like anyone who has a lot of power put upon their shoulders or is suddenly put in the spotlight, really. Perhaps more so than any character in this story, we see Paris go on an almighty journey across these eight episodes.
What is it that Paris sees in Helen?
I think he sees a lot of himself in her. At the beginning of the series he’s suddenly in this new world, and even though he becomes fond of his new family over time and becomes part of them in a real way, at the beginning he doesn’t really understand them. They are aliens to him. Everything about them is foreign to him and he doesn't feel like he belongs.
But at the same time there is no escaping it: it is his fate, he has to be a part of this family and he can’t just run away from his new-found life and fame. However, he thinks that there is a possibility he can save Helen from hers. Maybe he can’t break out of his own jail, but he could break her out of her jail. And of course on a more primary level he is incredibly attracted to her and wants to be with her in his new life.
As well as the emotional journey Paris goes on, it’s an incredibly physical role. What new skills did you pick up?
Well I’d never been out on a horse before I got to South Africa to film this, scout's honour! But I think we can surprise ourselves with how fast we can learn something when we do it every day, consistently for many hours a time. I think I had a bad experience with a horse when I was five or six years old that made it a little troublesome to get me on a horse for a few years after that, but they’ve always been beautiful animals to me so I was looking forward to getting on and learning how to do that for this series.
And in terms of sword fighting - that was new to me too. I did some dance when I was younger, and I think there are aspects to sword fighting which is like learning to dance. It’s almost like a dance with an unwilling dance partner. The sword fights we learned are so elegant and intricate, there’s almost a beauty to them. Being taught how to do it all safely by the stunt team was so inspiring - they're one of the best stunt teams you could work with. They did Mad Max: Fury Road, which in my opinion is one of the best action films in the decade, so we were in good hands with them. I enjoyed every second of it - the sword fighting, the archery, the horse riding, all of it. I loved it.
The Greeks
The Trojan Royal Family
Priam, King of Troy - played by David Threlfall
Priam has ruled Troy since he was a young man. He is married to Hecuba and father of Hector, Cassandra, Alexander, Deiphobus and Troilus. His father nearly ruined the city but Priam saved it from destruction and Troy now flourishes. Together, Priam and Hecuba have made it a powerful and wealthy city port.
Hecuba, Queen of Troy - played by Frances O’Connor
Hecuba is Priam's wife, mother to his children and rules Troy with him. Although she is not originally from Troy she has lived in the city for 30 years and is held in high regard by the Trojans.
Hector - played by Tom Weston-Jones
Hector is Priam’s eldest son and heir. He leads the Trojan army and is a celebrated warrior, brave and honourable. He is happily married to the Cilician princess Andromache.
Andromache - played by Chloe Pirrie
Andromache is from nearby Cilicia, an ally of Troy, and is married to Hector. Their marriage was arranged, but is a union of love. She desires children but conception has proved hard.
Paris (Alexander) - played by Louis Hunter
Alexander, also known as Paris, is the second son of Priam and Hecuba. He spent his youth as a herdsman in the mountains unaware of his true background. His meeting with the gods changes everything.
Cassandra - played by Aimee Ffion Edwards
Cassandra is Priam and Hecuba’s daughter. At Alexander’s birth she had visions of disaster and continues to have premonitions. She has been looked after ever since, and is considered mentally unstable.
Aeneas - played by Alfred Enoch
Aeneas is Hector and Alexander’s cousin, who comes from the Trojan ally region of Dardania. He is upright, young but fearless. He has a father back at home but has lost his wife to sickness.
The Greeks
Helen, Queen of Sparta - played by Bella Dayne
Helen was born in Sparta and has lived there all her life. She is married to Menelaus, whose brother Agamemnon won her hand in competition, but it is a loveless match. She has a daughter, Hermione, but their relationship is strained. As the story begins, her unhappiness is beginning to become undeniable.
Menelaus, King of Sparta - played by Jonas Armstrong
Menelaus was born in Mycenae, which he considers the true cradle of civilization. He has ruled in Sparta for many years but it has yet to become his home. He does love Helen but his love is possessive and controlling. He admires his daughter Hermione greatly.
Agamemnon, King of Mycenae - played by Johnny Harris
King Agamemnon is Menelaus brother and the most powerful ruler of the Greek city-states. He holds huge influence in the region and is aware of Troy s burgeoning power across the ocean. He is married to Clytemnestra and father of Iphigenia, Electra and Orestes.
Odysseus, King of Ithaca - played by Joseph Mawle
Odysseus is renowned for his strategic intelligence, wisdom and cunning. He loves his home and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. He is a true islander, somewhat solitary, ruthless when needs must, but with a deep love of home and family. Odysseus is called upon to help the Greeks return Helen to Sparta.
Xanthius - played by David Avery
Xanthius is a servant of Odysseus and travels with him to Troy. A loner who prefers dogs to men, Xanthius is used by Odysseus to infiltrate the city. Quiet, invisible and deeply intelligent, Xanthius is Odysseus secret weapon.
Achilles, King of the Myrmidons - played by David Gyasi
Achilles is the most feared of all the Greek warriors travelling to Troy. He is by myth half human, half-god, created by the union of Peleus and Thetis, a sea-nymph. He is a great warrior, almost unbeatable, but his sense of honour tips into pride and stubbornness. His friend and lover is Patroclus, another great Myrmidon warrior. They are inseparable.
Picture: Menelaus (Jonas Armstrong), Achilles (David Gyasi), Agamemnon (Johnny Harris), Odysseus (Joseph Mawle)
The Gods
Zeus, King of the Gods - played by Hakeem Kae-Kazim
Zeus is the God of storms, tumult and justice, who holds ultimate power over both gods and mortals. He chooses not to take sides in the Trojan War, despite all attempts to engage his loyalty. He insists that even the Gods cannot change Fate, which will decide the outcome of the war. Zeus is married to Hera and father of many gods including Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and Hermes.
Hera, Queen of the Gods - played by Inge Beckmann
Hera, is the goddess of marriage and wife of Zeus, but they have a turbulent relationship. She is furious at Paris for not choosing her in the judgment of the goddesses and fiercely loyal to the Greeks.
Athena - played by Shamilla Miller
Athena is goddess of wisdom and war. She sides with the Greeks, angry at her rejection by Paris. In particular, she favours Odysseus and Diomedes.
Aphrodite - played by Lex King
Aphrodite is the goddess of love. She is loyal to Paris, who chooses her as the finest of the three goddesses, so she supports the Trojans in the war.
Artemis - played by Thando Hopa
Artemis is the goddess of hunting and wildlife. She supports the Trojans in the war. Agamemnon offends her and she demands a terrible price from him.
Apollo - played by German de la Melena
Apollo is the god of prophecy, plague and healing. When Apollo’s priest asks for help on behalf of his daughter Chryseis, he is quick to answer. He favours the Trojans in the war.
Hermes - played by Frances Chouler
Hermes is the messenger of the gods and is present at the judgement of the goddesses, explaining to Paris the task the gods have set him.
