When I decided to write a blog, I made a conscious decision not to blog about Richard Armitage. It’s no secret that I’m a great admirer of his, some might go so far as to say I’m a wee bit obsessed; however, in the ever-expanding Armitage blogosphere I decided that I had nothing meaningful to add. Selfishly I wanted to write about myself and the things that are important to me. I may have mentioned him once or twice along the way but essentially my blog is “Something about Kathryn”.
So … I’m not about to turn this into an Armitage blog but if I’m going to write about what’s important to me then he does have to be up there. He’s not on the same level as my family history, but, given a recent interest I’ve developed in another fine British actor, I find myself questioning why I’m so fascinated with Armitage and some others. Ultimately I’m questioning why they’re so important to me.
So who are these men? Yes, unsurprisingly they’re all men … and actors too. If you follow me on Twitter or Tumblr there will probably be no surprises here – well maybe one:
Richard Armitage – no surprises. Known for The Hobbit, Spooks, Robin Hood, North & South.
David Tennant – an old favourite. Known for Doctor Who, Hamlet, Broadchurch, Casanova.
Benedict Cumberbatch – a growing attraction. Known for Star Trek Into Darkness, Sherlock, The Hobbit, Parade’s End, War Horse.
Tom Hiddleston – a new fascination. Known for Thor, The Avengers, The Hollow Crown, Midnight in Paris, War Horse, Return to Cranford.
I was first drawn to Richard Armitage whilst watching Spooks. An avid Spooks fan from the very beginning it was only at the end of series 9 that I realised quite how involved I’d become in the story of Lucas North / John Bateman. To cut a long story short, I think it’s fair to say that it was the Spooks fandom that drew me in but ultimately the Richard Armitage fandom that claimed me. I found myself hopelessly drawn to his other work, but it wasn’t just the characters that I was interested in. I found, as have so many others, that his charm, compassion, humour, talent, and unbridled enthusiasm for his work had me hooked. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that his good looks helped but, if I’m honest, he only became so attractive to me when I knew more about him as a person, or at least what he wants us to know. His use of language in interviews was probably my undoing – I’m such a sucker for a man who uses words and phrases that are missing from my own vocabulary – and he’s a self-confessed geek which is always a winner for me.
Now, I’d been interested in David Tennant’s work since I first saw him in Doctor Who. Geek personified! Looks wise, he’s not the type of man I would normally find attractive, but there’s something about a man with a sonic-screwdriver I find hard to resist (Matt Smith is not on my list but he’s a definite contender). Looking at the man behind the Doctor I found that his attractiveness, for me, lay in his wit, charm, talent, eloquence and compassion. I saw him on stage in Much Ado About Nothing and if I wasn’t bowled over before, I definitely was afterwards. Goodness only knows what will happen after I see him in Richard II. Finally, he inspired me to make a promise.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a strange one for me. For a long time, I kept seeing his face on Tumblr and was completely unable to understand the attraction that others felt for him. Then Sherlock happened. Geek personified – again – and a huge intellect too which I can’t resist. But then I realised that the man behind the detective had a great intellect too, was naturally witty, charming and wonderfully talented. Because of him, I intend to go and see Star Trek (something I never thought I’d do), and have found that his unusual looks are becoming more attractive to me every day. Then I read things like this and fall a little bit further under his spell.
If any of these are going to surprise you then I guess it would be Tom Hiddleston. He’s not someone I’ve ever really mentioned on Twitter and, until a few days ago, I’d never posted any pictures of him on Tumblr either. For some time I was uncomfortable with the crush I was quickly developing because apart from Return to Cranford I hadn’t seen any of his work. For the first time, it was the man not the characters that first drew me in. It was his Unicef blogs from Guinea that got me: long words, beautiful phrasing, wonderful compassion. And I found that was just the tip of the iceberg. He has all those things I’ve admired in others and he has them in spades. I discovered that he doesn’t actually look like Loki in real life, a look that does nothing for me at all, and has an infectious joy that creeps out of the screen and into your heart without you even noticing. I’ve decided to be honest about this new fascination because I think I now understand it better.
All these men show qualities that I hugely admire and find endlessly attractive. Yes they’re good-looking, but they’re all men whose looks did absolutely nothing for me when I first saw them, even Richard Armitage.
My first Armitage experience was actually Robin Hood. I watched all three series when it was first on the television and never once noticed Guy of Gisborne except as a character to be disliked. With both television and films I’m a very shallow viewer and will often miss the nuances of character that others thrive on. I didn’t like the character, and his long hair (each to their own but that wasn’t for me) meant I didn’t notice if he was good-looking.
So why are these men so important to me? I can confidently say these are not simply lustful obsessions. I’m drawn to certain characteristics especially intellect when matched with fun, kindness and decency. I seem to be attracted to men who I see as being intellectually superior to me. I look for the things that were missing in the past when my own intellect was a source of humour and derision. It’s only now that I realise that the behaviour of certain people in my past says more about their own insecurities than it does about mine.
If anyone was to ask me what I look for in a man, I could do a lot worse than point out the characteristics of these men who I so admire. I’m not looking for a man exactly like any of them, they just happen to epitomise the things I find most attractive. They’re important to me because they have qualities to admire, are inspiring in ways I cannot fully fathom, and because they bring me great joy.
I realize it’s not a RichardArmitage blog but you definitely have something to say about him and I hope you continue to share it from time to time And I love my new Siri function but I haven’t figured out how to include punctuation.
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Thanks Frenz. I’m sure he’ll continue to pop up from time to time 🙂
I have Siri but have never used it other than to attempt to get comedic replies, but as he kept telling me he’s not capable of love, I gave up 😉
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What a nice surprise, Tom included in your list 🙂 then again the reasons aren’t surprising. His looks were going against my usual taste, although I don’t really have a type, it’s usually dark haired men I’m drawn to. But like you it’s usually the mind & spirit, particularly his inspiring enthusiasm (I like to nickname him my happy pill 🙂 that drew me in. Ben drew me in since his performance in Amazing Grace, I still can’t really drool over him though. My kids are more Sherlocked than I 🙂 David is my latest audio fascination, he’s got a nice stack of radio drama I’ve gotta catch up with. And no, I’m not a Dr. Who fan (I just can’t get into that universe 🙂 it was Viva Blackpool when I noticed him. It’s been a joy to see his productions this past year!
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Thanks for commenting. With the exception of perhaps RA I have so much catching up to do with all these guys’ extensive careers. You’ve reminded me that I want to indulge in some DT audio work 🙂
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You know already how I feel about this, so I’ll just smile. 🙂
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I do … so I shall smile back 🙂
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[…] KathrynD comes out joins the dark side [cough] confesses. […]
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My blog wasn’t meant to be a Richard Armitage blog either. Er… FAIL!
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Haha! I suspect you’re not alone in that 🙂
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Welcome to the world of Hiddles love! He’s physically not the sort I normally go for either, but he grows on you and suddenly one day, BAM! He is someone I really try to emulate when it comes to kindness and concern for others, it really seems to come from deep within him and I would love to be like that.Plus his smile lights up my life.
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His kindness and compassion do seem deep set … and that definitely is a kilowatt smile! 😀
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“…and because they bring me great joy”
What more can you ask for? 😉
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🙂
It was only when I came to write this that that suddenly became clear to me!
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I join you in admiring these particular men. They are all brilliant, dedicated actors and seem to be decent, caring, funny people, plus they all have gorgeous speaking voices, interesting things to say and well, they are very lovely in every way. 🙂
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I couldn’t agree more Boffleb! 🙂
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Kathryn – are you my twin??? In a lot of ways I am exactly on the same page as you – the initial unwillingness to write about RA, being attracted by more than just looks, the fascination with words and articulate-ness etc. And then Cumberbatch and Hiddleston – both unfortunately a couple of semesters too young for me, but I have developed a healthy respect for both of them, but especially for Hiddleston. I initially only knew him from all the reblogging on tumblr but he really got my attention with his Unicef engagement. That’s when I subscribed to his FB/Twitter. Just like you I felt impressed by the intelligence and compassion he showed in his Unicef blog. I have to say that I am much impressed with this new young lot of Brit actors.
Thanks for your post – it is always lovely to know that others feel the same. It validates the own opinion. Oh – and now that you are at it – DO continue writing about them 🙂 I’ll always listen!
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Twin? Not as far as I know! Lol!
I do seem to have picked four very popular guys and it’s heartening to know that I’m not the only one who appreciates more than just their looks.
I’m sure I’ll mention them in my blog again but they’re not necessarily what I want to write about most of the time. I never say never though 🙂
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Hehe, I know – I was really just very selfishly trying to get more drool material being produced.
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Nothing wrong with that…it may be selfish but it is a very worthy pastime 😉
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Kathryn,
I attended an event in London with Ian McKellen in Sept 2012 – in support of a comedy spoof show where he portrays his “brother” Murray (obviously, Mr. McKellen has no such brother and his name is in fact, Ian ‘Murray’ McKellen).
The show is about a failed ‘Acting School’ (Clapham Academy of Creative Art – C.A.C.A.) run by Murray McKellen, along with a few other embittered acting teachers (including Sylvestor McCoy, as ‘movement coach’ Felix). At the end of the evening, there was a Q&A session where the ‘instructors’ took questions from the audience (these were staged and meant primarily to further ‘humiliate’ the instructors). 😉
But the best answer of the evening (likely scripted), came when the interviewer asked of the instructors, “What is the POINT of acting??” And Jonathan Hyde as acting coach ‘Jerry’ says, “Actors are technicians of the human spirit. They’re there to hold a mirror up to nature”. I really loved this answer.
So perhaps that’s why these actors move you so – in their excellent mastery of their craft, they have thrown up a mirror to help you recognize something fundamental and wonderful about yourself – that perhaps you would not have seen without the assistance of their performance??
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Thanks so much for this comment. I love that answer too. I think you might have a point about them helping me to recognise something about myself. Not entirely sure what though 😉
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Can I suggest this as topic for a future post (after all, it seems to be in line with your blog title)?? 😀
You can call it “Something Wonderful about Kathryn” and write a post for each actor!!!
Personally, I’d like to put a vote in for the wonderful Fan-Fiction you write!! 😉
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I love the “something wonderful about Kathryn” post idea 🙂 If you won’t write it, I will. 🙂
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Lol! I’m tempted to say go for it! Not sure I could bring myself to do it…
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I know two wonderful things about you. I don’t necessarily think they’ll get any of these men to marry you, but you never know 🙂
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You do? *wide eyes*
As for marriage….you know that gif that’s been going around of Kermit??
🙂
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I think if you dance around the altar like that at your wedding to Tom Hiddleston, the pastor may refuse to marry you 🙂
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Lol!!!
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Thanks! Am blushing a little bit here! I like the premise but not sure if that’s something I could write…I tend to be a bit too self-deprecating! Although without RA the fan-fiction would never have happened. I’ve never been remotely inclined to write about any other character.
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Hi Kathrynruth!
Excellent actors and attractive guys but not in an obvious way ,IMO
I think ,I prefer Armitage because he is more enigmatic(for me anyway) 😉
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Thanks for commenting! RA will always hold an extra special place in my heart but there is so much to admire in all of them and of course they all offer something slightly different 🙂
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[…] even unconsciously beyond the emotions it provokes. Understanding that thing that makes Armitage, reapplying the words of Jonathan Hyde, such a masterful technician of the, and especially my, human condition. Plumbing the reasons why, […]
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Just found you here and I’ve gotta say…hubs took me to see Star Trek last weekend! I loved it. Being a boomer who NEVER missed Trek on Thursday nights way-back-when, I was a little reluctant to go to the previous movies. But this one…WOW!! Hubs is NOT a fantasy/sci-fi geek but he loved it. That’s a goo sign!!! And the best part was Mr. C…I really was not impressed with him until now. A darn good actor! I’m sure you already knew that tho. 🙂 Nice post!!!
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Welcome! I also saw the new Star Trek movie not long after posting this and thought it was fantastic. I thought BC was outstanding 🙂 I was never into Star Trek “way-back-when” and have never been a sci-fi or fantasy geek…I think I just love a really good film that fires my imagination enough for me to lose myself in it…and that definitely delivered! BC helped of course 😉
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[…] « This is not a Richard Armitage blog… […]
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