Bill Nighy has spoken about how he "instinctively" looks out for others on set due to his long and esteemed career in the film and television industry during a press event for his upcoming BBC One drama Ordeal by Innocence.
The actor leads an impressive ensemble cast as the head patriarch in Sarah Phelps' gritty adaptation of the famous Agatha Christie murder mystery.
And much like his authoritative and commanding character Leo Argyll, Nighy said he is always willing to speak up on the behalf of younger co-stars if they face challenges on set.
"If you are the leading player and you have therefore a fingernail of clout, you would [speak up for] a group of actors quite naturally, because you might have direct access to the producers," the Love Actually star explained.
"You would be expected to take a certain amount of responsibility over the others. So if there were any problems, or less-than-satisfactory systems in place, you would be expected to speak up for that person on their behalf."
Nighy concluded: "You instinctively look out to see if everyone is okay because you're in a position if they weren't than you might be able to do something about it.
"And certain people do it. It's admirable, I find it very moving."
He then went on to recount how his former Love Actually co-star, the late Alan Rickman, was a "great example" of this.
"He [Rickman] would look out for everybody," Nighy recalled fondly. "If you thought the extras weren't being fed properly, or looked after properly or less-than-attractively used then he'd sort it out and he'd say, 'you sort that out and then I'll go back to work'."
He also went on to commend Tom Cruise's professionalism and unwavering consideration for the cast and crew on set.
"Tom Cruise – everyone will tell you, if you're on a set with Tom Cruise, he will take care of you and of everyone," Nighy said.
"He will make sure that everyone is being treated in a reasonable manner because he's that sort of guy.
"And everyone will have personal contact with him – all the extras, everyone because he's that sort of that guy, he's a democrat.
"He's really cool."
Although this interview was conducted before the MeToo movement took prevalence again, and the Time's Up initiative was founded, it's now a welcome change to hear positive comments about influential and powerful men working in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, Nighy's Ordeal by Innocence is set in 1954, and follows the murder of wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll at her family estate Sunny Point, and the suspicion it arouses among her family.
Her adopted son Jack Argyll is arrested for her murder, but vehemently protests his innocence.
"Leo could look shady… but he behaves impeccably," Nighy said of his character. "The only thing about him is I don't think he's got any money of his own.
"His money is his wife's. That might make hims suspicious."
Speaking of his fictional family – Anthony Boyle plays Jack, Crystal Clarke as Tina, Christian Cooke as Mickey, and Ella Purnell as Hester – he explained: "Leo is the head of a very unusual family comprised of five adopted children.
"They run a kind of refuge for damaged or rescued children. Which is handy for looking very guilty.
"It's rich pickings for your suspicion."
Ordeal by Innocence starts on Easter Sunday, April 1 on BBC One.
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Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
