What do you as an actor look for in a role?
I look for a curious and drivable character in a good story, which sounds rather simple but it is the essence. And you have to train yourself to be able to know or sense from reading, what is a good story and what makes a good character.
What was it about the character of Anthony that attracted you to the part?
I realised that as Anthony had no memory he also had no fear – which made him very ethereal to inhabit. I also decided that he had all the knowledge in the universe at his disposal, but he didn't quite know how to control it or when that information would appear in his brain. This combination made him quite a joy to play.
Explain how you became Anthony, what's your process? How do you get into his mindset?
For me to become a character, I have to bolt on the intrinsic parts of a new character on to the chassis of my own character. With Anthony I left my internal engine running on him but left him open – so he had a wistfulness but also a drive. He would just keep on going, affecting all the other characters in the film, until he felt he had finished his work.
Do you have a dream part that you have yet to play?
I don't have dream parts because I don't want to be disappointed if I don't ever get to play them. But I like playing physical roles with characters who have depths that you can explore. Having just played Long John Silver in Treasure Island and Anthony in Lost Christmas, I feel I am now being offered the roles I wanted to play when I started wanting to act – which was when I was seven.
Who inspired you when you were young?
Steve McQueen and Monty Python.
Which person, living or dead, do you most admire and why?
Nelson Mandela - he had showed what a great politician can do.
What is your Mutt? In other words, is there anything that you couldn't bear to lose and would do everything in your power to get back?
I already lost my mother, so nothing really compares.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Trading Places, It's a Wonderful Life and Lost Christmas
Do you have any Izzard-family Christmas traditions?
We used to write a list of what things we would like for Christmas and then the list would go into the living room fire and burn up and magically go off to Father Christmas.
What would you have for Christmas dinner? Are you a traditional turkey man or do you go out of your way to avoid it?
Always turkey and all the extras
If there was a little Christmas magic in the world, what would your Christmas wish be?
The sudden gift of common sense, suddenly given to all the world.
