Sir Gary Oldman has been knighted for his services to drama, receiving the honour from Prince William at Windsor Castle on Tuesday (local time).
The London-born actor, 67, described the moment as “very emotional.”
He revealed that the Prince of Wales also expressed his admiration for Oldman’s television work, telling him about his role as veteran MI5 agent Jackson Lamb in Apple TV’s Slow Horses, “I just want to give you a good wash.”
“Well, I think I’ve scrubbed up OK today,” Oldman replied.
“It was emotional. Very emotional. We spoke [for] a minute, but I almost couldn’t find my voice,” he said following the knighthood ceremony.
Reflecting on the conversation, Oldman added, “He mentioned The Fifth Element and Churchill of Darkest Hour.”
Oldman, known for his versatility on screen, said of playing Jackson Lamb, “It’s a lot of fun. He’s got sort of an acid wit, sarcastic, he drinks too much, smokes too much, eats all the wrong things. Who wouldn’t want to play that?”
Slow Horses, based on the Slough House book series by British author Mick Herron, has just released its fifth series.
Oldman’s career spans acclaimed roles from former British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill to Sex Pistols member Sid Vicious.
His directorial debut, the semi-autobiographical Nil By Mouth (1997), earned BAFTAs for Outstanding British Film and Best Original Screenplay.
He was also praised for his portrayal of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and won an Academy Award and BAFTA for his performance in The Darkest Hour (2018).
Images: Instagram
