Interview with Alexander Vlahos
Interview with Alexander Vlahos, who plays Philippe in BBC Two drama Versailles.
Published: 10 May 2016
When I first got the part they described him as a 17th Century David Bowie. When I read that I thought, I can do that! I can give that a go!
Tell us about Philippe as a character.
Philippe is the younger brother of Louis XIV, the King of France. He is a 26 year-old effeminate dandy, but he’s also described as a warrior so he has a sort of duality in his personality. Although he’s homosexual, he has a wife, Henriette - the sister to Charles II of England. She’s also the King’s mistress, so they really were one of the first dysfunctional families! It’s very confusing, at least on paper, but an absolute joy to play!
He wears women’s clothes, and he was brought up wearing women’s clothes from the age of three months old so he wouldn’t be a ‘threat’ to Louis and the crown. But in doing so it’s actually made him more powerful, more extraordinary I guess. He’s a gift of a character to play. When I first got the part they described him as a 17th Century David Bowie. When I read that I thought, I can do that! I can give that a go!
That description really sums him up.
Funnily enough, the first director, for in certain scenes, would give me notes along the lines of “do you think you could do this a bit more like Iggy Pop? Do you think you could do it a bit more like The Stooges?” And I think he got exactly how I work as an actor and how my brain works. Rather than a note for delivery of specific lines, he focussed on the general quality of the person I could bring to Philippe. Extraordinary, a little bit ‘out there’, a little bit otherworldly.
How strong is his relationship with his brother?
I think the relationship between Louis and Philippe is the strongest in the show. They have a sort of undying brotherly love between each other, but it’s also contested. They have friction as any brothers do - as any younger brother does. It is the heartbeat of the show, for Versailles, in terms of where they are with each other and how much respect they have for each other. Like many a younger brother, he’s always looking and vying for his big brother’s confirmation, his brother’s attention and his brother’s approval. And when he gets it he plays with that. Their relationship is I think the most important thing in Versailles.
How do the two brothers differ from one another?
Louis is very conscientious, but also very closed. He doesn’t show his emotion because he’s a King and it’s seen as a sign of weakness. With Philippe he doesn’t have that overbearing sense of consequence, so he gets to say what he thinks without any concern. He has no responsibility which is actually a very good thing for a younger brother. In terms of responsibility it’s a little bit like with William and Harry - the younger brother gets to have all the fun! And I have all the fun playing him.
Philippe is over-the-top sometimes but he’s also very passionate, he’s very caring, he says what he thinks and that makes him open for criticism from the French court. He’s a thorn in his brother’s side, but also he is his only brother so he’s everything to him and nothing at the same time. It’s difficult, it’s tricky - it’s a complicated relationship!
What can BBC Two viewers expect from Versailles?
Grandeur, incredible acting, incredible sets, beautiful costumes… I have never been more proud of something I’ve worked on than I am Versailles, and I think it’s going to blow UK viewers’ socks off. It’s rock n’ roll and I’m super happy that it’s on the BBC.
