For many he’s perhaps best known for his role as rough-around-the-edges detective Jimmy McNulty in HBO drama The Wire.
With a blue-collar American accent and a string of off-duty issues – among them alcoholism, child support and unpaid alimony – the character’s turbulent life is far removed from the man who plays him.
Born into wealthy stock and benefitting from a first class education at Eton and Dublin’s prestigious Trinity College, Dominic West’s portrayal of McNulty was just another string to his bow.
But the actor, 54 – whose screen credits also include a recent portrayal of King Charles III, then Prince Of Wales, in Netflix series The Crown – says his aristocrat wife Catherine FitzGerald believes he only excels when taking on characters who are far removed from his own privileged background.
He told the Sunday Times: ‘My wife, who is genuinely upper class, always tells me, “You’re much better in the working-class parts, you’re not very good as upper class, you’re not convincing at all.” And I agree with her.’
Dominic West says aristocrat wife Catherine FitzGerald believes he only excels when taking on working class roles
West portrayed troubled detective Jimmy McNulty (pictured) in The Wire throughout all five seasons of the HBO show
West has also won accolades for his role as former convict Jean Valjean in a TV adaptation of Les Misérables and a memorably chilling portrayal of serial killer builder Fred West in hard-hitting drama Appropriate Adult.
‘I’m McNulty, and I’m Jean Valjean and I’m Iago [a role he played with a thick Yorkshire accent in a Sheffield Crucible production of Othello].
‘I think those are my best roles. Some people look good in stiff collars but I don’t think I’m one of them. I understand upper-class attitudes and ways, and I like those characters, but as an outsider.’
West recently admitted he didn’t get out of bed for two days after reading negative reviews of The Crown.
The sixth and final series, which was released last year, was branded ‘profoundly tasteless’ and ‘absolutely deplorable’ by critics and royal experts, after Princess Diana’s ghost appeared in scenes.
And the actor, who portrayed the King – then Prince Charles – in the Netflix series, said he is relieved the drama has ended and he no longer must be immersed in the Royal Family’s world.
West was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme if he was worried how the royals would respond to the series.
He said: ‘All reactions worry me. I read all the reviews and spent two days in bed. So yes, I’m a sensitive soul, I worry about what people think.
The actor’s more recent screen credits also include a portrayal of King Charles III , then Prince Of Wales, in Netflix series The Crown
‘My wife, who is genuinely upper class, always tells me, “You’re much better in the working-class parts, you’re not very good as upper class, you’re not convincing at all,”‘ he said
‘I don’t want to make their lives any more difficult than they already are, so I suppose it does concern you.’
Of his experience on the show, Dominic said: ‘I loved being on it. I loved wearing the clothes.
I loved driving the cars and I loved having people bow to me. It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling. I miss it.’
