Harry Potter actor Gary Oldman has said that he likes to lead a quiet life and that his sister, who is an EastEnders star, attracts more attention.
In an interview with Esquire, the actor, who will soon be seen as George Smiley in a new adaptation of John Le Carré's novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, said that he maintains a discreet attitude on and off set.
He said: "I've never really courted [fame]. I still don't have a publicist. If I'm in a film, you have an obligation to promote it, I'll do as much as I can.
"On set I keep myself to myself; I'd rather the director speak up. I'm not gonna direct a younger actor. I think the power of example works best, actually."
When asked whether he or his soap star sister Maureen, (now known as Laila Morse), who plays Mo Harris in EastEnders, would attract more attention from fans, he said: "I would like Maureen would, it’s weird, it comes in waves.
"Overall I enjoy a certain anonymity. I live a very normal, very ordinary life.”
In Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Oldman will be playing the role of Smiley, first made famous by Alec Guinness and he added: "We’re as different as chalk and cheese, but I’m still playing Smiley, same text, pretty much.
“That was in the back of my head a bit, the ghost of Sir Alec, knowing that you’re not going to completely reinterpret.”
He also described his work style: “I know the scene, I know the lines and I turn up on time.
"I show up having done the work. That’s who I am anyway.”
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, which also stars Colin Firth, John Hurt, Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong and Toby Jones, opens in Irish cinemas on September 16.
