Northern Ireland

Paisley's later years have 'King Lear quality' - Timothy Spall

Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness in The Journey. Picture by Steffan Hill/Premier/PA
Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness in The Journey. Picture by Steffan Hill/Premier/PA Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness in The Journey. Picture by Steffan Hill/Premier/PA

ACTOR Timothy Spall has spoken about his upcoming portrayal of Ian Paisley, saying that the late DUP leader's circumstances in the build-up to the St Andrew's Agreement have a "King Lear quality".

Spall is to play Paisley in The Journey, alongside Colm Meaney as Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, he said that he remembers thinking as a child that Paisley was "a ranting bigot" but said that "acting is not about portraying someone as others see them."

"Paisley was a complex man, a man of huge principles, whatever you feel about them. A man who believed he was right and was doing the work of the Lord," Spall said. 

"To a certain extent, what was interesting about Paisley, as you see him in this film, is that he is old and wavering and his edifice of sureness is being affected. There is a King Lear quality about it."

Spall has also revealed that he was hesitant to take on the role as an English actor, but accepted the role after being approached by an Irish production team. 

 "We'll see. It was a very all-encompassing experience. You play these icons, you stick your head above the parapet, you say all right, everyone have an opinion and I'm sure I'll get some massive kicks in the arse," he said. 

Written by novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman, the film centres on a fictional journey by one-time sworn enemies Paisley and McGuinness during a pivotal era in the peace process.

McGuinness once faced implacable opposition from the man at times dubbed Dr No and whose best known phrase was "never, never, never".

But Paisley eventually said yes - to sharing power with Sinn Fein in 2007 - and ushered in what some characterised as a groundbreaking moment in Irish history.

The DUP leader became first minister with Mr McGuinness as his deputy.

Their burgeoning friendship was evident at the many public functions which they attended together, leading to them being dubbed the "Chuckle Brothers".

Toby Stephens plays prime minister Tony Blair while Freddie Highmore is cast as Jack, a young government employee tasked with driving Paisley and McGuinness on their journey.

Oscar-nominated John Hurt stars as Harry, an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St Andrews Agreement.