British Actors You Should Know: Rufus Sewell

If you watched Victoria on Masterpiece this past Sunday, you will have surely noticed "Lord M" played by seasoned film and TV actor (and the subject of this installment of British Actors You Should Know) Rufus Sewell. In this historical series we witness Lord Melbourne as a worldly, funny, elegant aristocrat who quickly becomes all things to the teenage monarch, played by Jenna Coleman, during her first years in power. While his official titles are those of prime minister and private secretary, Melbourne is thrust into other roles as well; trusted friend, teacher, father figure and the subject of a young woman’s infatuation.

That being said, Mr. Sewell, an Olivier Award winner, has often played eccentric, brash, even menacing characters in the past quarter of a century on stage and screen. Let’s look at a few of the memorable roles that have made him popular with viewers over the years.

Cold Comfort Farm (1995) – Seth Starkadder

In this comedy film set in the early 30’s, newly orphaned Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) decides to leave the familiar surroundings of London society and opts instead for a nice lengthy visit with some rural relatives, the Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm. Young Flora wishes to gain life experience for her future as a writer and plans to solve the problems of her eccentric, often gloomy, family members in the process. One of these relatives is cousin Seth Starkadder, a handsome and libidinous young man who is addicted to the “talkies” and is portrayed by a comically smoldering Sewell.