Clive Owen “wasn’t looking at all” to do television when he was approached to be in The Knick.
The British actor is best known for his film work, having starred in movies including King Arthur, Closer and Children of Men. But last year he agreed to play Dr. John Thackery in the Cinemax series helmed by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh.
“I wasn’t looking at all to do television,” he confessed to The Hollywood Reporter. “Steven called after he’d read one Knick script and said, "I think I want to turn it into a ten-hour TV show. Let me know what you think." Fifty minutes later, there was no way I would not be doing it. I didn’t have fears about doing The Knick [because] I had Steven Soderbergh.”
Steven has had a lucrative film career with the likes of Erin Brockovich, Traffic and Ocean’s Eleven. His eye for a fantastic script helped Clive take on a role that has challenged him, as well as giving him a Golden Globe nomination last year.
“Every now and again you come across a piece of material that awakens again why you do what you do. It galvanised me,” the 50-year-old continued. “I did a lot of TV when I was young, and the thing that I was always fearful about in doing TV is the amount of exposure; as an actor you show all your wares and people get very used to what you can do. There’s something about film — you can hold your cards a bit closer.”
Clive has been acting for more than 25 years, having started out on British TV. Despite his success, he is still humbled by the opportunities he has received and having never had to consider doing another profession.
“Acting is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. When I was very young, people said, ‘You need a backup career,’” he said. “I’ve come across many actors like me who didn’t have a backup. That drive and will made it work. There weren’t other options. So I can’t think of what I’d do.”
