Tom Pelphrey has long been recognized for his soulful portrayals of supporting roles, but his breakthrough as Ben Davis in Netflix’s Ozark propelled him into wider acclaim for commanding every scene he’s in. In HBO’s new thriller Task, created by Mare of Easttown’s Brad Ingelsby, Pelphrey embodies Robbie Prendergrast, a sanitation worker who leads a double life as an armed robber and becomes entangled with an FBI agent played by Mark Ruffalo. This rare, complex role revitalized Pelphrey’s career and prompted him to seek guidance from his Mank co-star and longtime idol, Gary Oldman, about navigating the precarious nature of their profession and making the most of fleeting opportunities.
Conversations Beyond the Set: Earthquakes and Life in California
In a casual yet profound discussion, Pelphrey and Oldman connected over everyday experiences and challenges, including living through California’s frequent earthquakes. Oldman recounted filming Murder in the First during a major quake that brought down a freeway and sent aftershocks rippling through the area, while Pelphrey shared how unsettling it was to adapt to such tremors after moving west. This exchange between two actors took place with warmth, building into reflections on their careers and personal journeys.
Collaborative Energy and the Importance of Positive Set Environments
Pelphrey described his time on Task as exceptionally rewarding, emphasizing the unique collaborative spirit among the cast and crew that elevated the project beyond the sum of its many parts. Oldman, with decades more experience, contrasted his earlier anxieties about final outcomes with his matured perspective that the process and people involved are what truly enrich the work. He noted,
“No one goes into a project to have it fail. It just sometimes does,”
revealing the unpredictable chemistry behind successful filmmaking.
Recognizing Exceptional Writing and the Risk of Missing the Mark
Reflecting on scripts that left a strong impression, Pelphrey praised Task’s writing as extraordinary and feared only failure could diminish it. He asked Oldman if he’d ever felt similarly, to which Oldman admitted it happens, illustrating the elusive alchemy between script, performance, and final product. Oldman shared an anecdote about Jonathan Pryce’s stint as King Lear, noting Pryce’s unexpected enjoyment and the rare breaks actors get even in intense roles. This highlighted the complexity and variability of acting experiences regardless of the material’s quality.
Pelphrey’s Preparation for Ozark’s Defining Scene
Oldman praised Pelphrey’s unforgettable and mesmerizing taxi scene from Ozark, calling it “a beautiful piece of acting.” Pelphrey credited early access to the script’s six-week lead time, which allowed him to immerse deeply in the text. He explained how repeated takes only enhanced the joy of performing, affirming that familiarity over time with material can be as important as raw knowledge. Oldman related this to his own stage work in Krapp’s Last Tape, where extended preparation met the energy of a live audience each night for a unique creative experience.
Meeting a Hero and On-Set Chemistry with Gary Oldman
Pelphrey recalled working with Oldman on Mank as both inspiring and intimidating—the latter due to his reverence for Oldman, whose performances Pelphrey admired since college. He reflected on the crackling energy Oldman brings to the camera, describing moments when he had to remind himself to stay fully engaged in their scenes rather than watch Oldman act. Oldman responded with humility and warmth, acknowledging the collaborative environment and their shared enjoyment despite some tough days on set.
The Crucial Moment in Casting and Office Encounters
Pelphrey recounted his audition process for Mank with director David Fincher, expressing the frustration of initially performing over Zoom and the pivotal decision to fly out and meet Fincher and Oldman in person. This bold move proved decisive, as Oldman observed,
“He cast you the moment you walked out the door.”
Pelphrey described how the fine line between success and failure in acting can be razor-thin, comparing it to “fucking dental floss,” underscoring the unpredictable element of luck mixed with talent and persistence.
The Unpredictable Nature of Acting Careers and Industry Luck
Oldman reflected on how luck has played a significant role in his career and expressed empathy for talented actors who never find their break. He reminisced about a time when directors actively traveled to meet actors in New York for casting decisions, highlighting how industry practices have shifted. Pelphrey emphasized his gratitude for the struggles early in his career, crediting perseverance during periods of failure as essential to his growth and current position.
Navigating Publicity, Vulnerability, and Self-Consciousness
Oldman shared early experiences with press junkets for Sid and Nancy, initially unaware that such media appearances were routine, and admitted to sometimes over-sharing in interviews. Pelphrey asked if that vulnerability ever backfired, with Oldman candidly noting moments when interviews made him regret his openness. This shared sentiment about managing public exposure connected to their mutual understanding of how publicity is a necessary but delicate part of an actor’s life.
Championing the Collective Effort Behind Success
Discussing Pelphrey’s current projects, Oldman highlighted the importance of remembering that the work transcends any one individual. Pelphrey echoed this, saying,
“Oh, but it’s not about me. I just get to be a representative of those 200 people that I spent six months with and it’s about them.”
Tom acknowledged the scale and scope of such collaborations, crediting everyone involved for bringing the final work to life on screen.
Balancing Career, Family, and Artistic Integrity
Pelphrey mentioned that he is not rushing into new roles, prioritizing family time with his fiancée Kaley Cuoco and daughter Matilda, and only pursuing work that feels meaningful rather than accepting projects simply to stay busy. Oldman supported this approach, recognizing the need to maintain dignity and choose roles wisely, drawing on his own periods of inactivity and deciding to pass on less compelling scripts when possible. The conversation touched on the financial realities actors face alongside desires for artistic fulfillment.
Admiration and Anecdotes from a Storied Career
Pelphrey reflected on Oldman’s influence as “every actor’s favorite actor,” recalling watching Hannibal in college and not spotting Oldman’s role in the credits. Oldman shared the story behind his casting as Mason Verger, involving a direct call to Ridley Scott and an unusual strategy to portray the character as a puppet due to his disfigurement, eventually securing the role despite minimal pay. The effortless and captivating storytelling from Oldman captivated Pelphrey, who called the conversation “a wild beyond my imagination” experience.
The Enduring Impact of Gary Oldman’s Guidance
Throughout their conversation, it became clear how Gary Oldman’s insights and philosophy deeply affected Tom Pelphrey’s understanding and approach to acting. From emphasizing the importance of preparation and collaboration to recognizing the unpredictable balance of talent, luck, and timing, Oldman’s advice resonated as invaluable for navigating a challenging and often unstable profession. Their candid exchange illustrated the realities actors face behind the scenes, underscoring how mentorship and personal connections can shape careers profoundly.
