Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Brendan Coyle
"Downton Abbey" fans immediately recognize Brendan Coyle as John Bates, the valet and former British Army batman to the Earl of Grantham in Julian Fellowes' period drama series. Coyle, 52, now stars in the Esquire Network's series, "Spotless," where he portrays an East London mob boss named Nelson Clay. Currently splitting his time between the United Kingdom and the United States, the British-born actor explained that he's so used to traveling for work that he thrives on his nomadic lifestyle. Fans may follow the actor on Twitter at https://twitter.com/brendancoyle99.
Q. When did you move away from England?
A. I was 17. I had just seen a production of "Richard III" and "Saturday Night Fever." The combination of those two made me think I could do this for a living. (Laughs) My dad was a butcher and my first job was in meatpacking and I was training to be a butcher. But I had this growing idea that I wanted to be an actor. My mother said, "Well, you know, you have this aunt in Dublin who's an actress and director and she has an actor's studio..." My aunt had an Irish-American business partner and I went and trained there. I toured Ireland as a stage manager and then won a scholarship to study at a drama school in London. I would fly back and forth between Dublin and London and I quite enjoyed it.
Q. Did you experience a culture shock on your first trip to the United States?
A. It wasn't a culture shock, no. I came to Philadelphia to do a Sean O'Casey play. It was so familiar, because we grew up watching American movies. I remember looking out for yellow cabs. (Laughs) It just seemed really familiar. The food was great and Americans had a positive energy about them. I loved all the skyscrapers. It was everything I expected and more. Every time I've been to New York, it has been a joyous experience.
Q. Could you live in America permanently?
A. Yes. Actually, my plan is to move to Los Angeles (this winter) for part of the year and still keep my house back home. Before my TV career took off, I was always touring and filming in foreign places. It's a very harried, but wonderful, life. It's kind of the life I've always led. It's very nomadic. I do thrive on it and all the traveling.
Q. When you travel, how adventurous are you with your meals?
A. Very adventurous! I won't be going to Hong Kong to have the British breakfasts! I eat off street carts and really enjoy food. When my father took us to Chinese restaurants, he would order shark fin soup for us. I have a great love of food.
Q. As a trained butcher, are you picky about the meat you eat at restaurants?
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