Life

Kevin McNally discusses wellbeing, acting advice and pirating

Pirates Of The Caribbean actor Kevin McNally, whose long list of big and small screen credits includes co-writing nine episodes of Minder in the 1980s
Pirates Of The Caribbean actor Kevin McNally, whose long list of big and small screen credits includes co-writing nine episodes of Minder in the 1980s Pirates Of The Caribbean actor Kevin McNally, whose long list of big and small screen credits includes co-writing nine episodes of Minder in the 1980s

KEVIN McNally has had a 40-year acting career and is best known for playing pirate Joshamee Gibbs in Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean films, and most recently for appearing in US-set political drama series Designated Survivor, which also stars Kieffer Sutherland and Natascha McElhone. The 61-year-old Englishman is married to Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan (Mrs Hughes). He talks about love, pirating and the lessons he's learnt...

What have you learnt over the years?

"Not making the same mistakes twice is a good thing to learn, and not having any regrets. If something goes awry, you just have to move on and try to do better the next time. It's very easy to get stuck in life – as you get older especially – but I hope having lots of interests – politics, science, astronomy and travelling – will help me stay fresher and younger in both mind and body. I feel around 40, although occasionally seeing my reflection in a shop window reminds me I'm not."

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

"Love unconditionally. Also, John Hurt gave me a wonderful piece of advice about acting. We were having a drink very late one night and I said I ought to go to bed because we were filming early the next day. John said: 'No darling, just say the lines out loud once into a mirror before you get to bed so you don't scare yourself in the morning!' I've always adhered to that instruction."

What's the toughest time you've had?

"When my mother was suffering from Alzheimer's – she was diagnosed in her early 60s – it was very tough seeing that deterioration and long decline. It's a very cruel disease and you just hope sufferers don't linger too long. I like to talk to other people who are going through it because you're sharing the experience, which can bring comfort."

How do you look after your health and wellbeing?

"Luckily I'm a very positive person by nature, so my wellbeing's fine. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes four years ago, which was a shock, but a wake-up call and I saw it as an opportunity to improve my health. I lost a lot of weight, have improved my diet, and walk and swim. It's well under control. I also stopped smoking six years ago which has stopped me getting endless colds."

Who is the love of your life?

"My wife, Phyllis Logan. We fell in love when we both worked on the 1993 mini-series Love And Reason. Absences are part of the job, but the bonus is that, through work, we've spent time in beautiful places together – she's joined me on location for the Pirate films in the Caribbean, and recently I went to Sri Lanka while she worked on [ITV drama] The Good Karma Hospital.

"Working together on Downton when I played Horace Bryant, the stern father of an army major who got a housemaid pregnant, was weird but fun. Phyllis joked it was like take your husband to work day."

What's it like playing a pirate on Pirates Of The Caribbean?

"A bit like playing a pirate as kid, but much more fun and much, much better toys. Seriously, playing Gibbs in all five of the Pirates films is an experience I wouldn't swap for the world. Johnny [Depp] is wonderful to work with and the cast bonded more than in most films as we were together at sea for long periods - seasickness pills were essential."

:: Designated Survivor The Complete First Season DVD is available from eOne