Hunger Games favourite Sam Claflin reveals why he is still happy being the “love interest” in female-led films

There are more than 50 screen versions of The Count of Monte Cristo. Why do people keep returning to this story?

It has many life lessons, number one being that forgiveness is key. Learn to live in love, rather than hate. Edmond is an anti-hero – he’s a bit like Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders – but he used to be a good man, and that makes it more harrowing that he’s been led to these depths. There’s a feeling that if he carries out this vengeance maybe he’ll be fixed. But of course he won’t be.

Would you seek revenge in a situation like his?

Fortunately, I’ve never been through what he’s been through. But you just don’t know. Edmond is grieving for his younger self, and people grieve in different ways. But I’m someone who avoids conflict at all costs. I keep away from people who have wronged me. I don’t keep going back for more.

What was it like working with Jeremy Irons on the show?

I mean, he’s a legend. My introduction to him was as Scar in The Lion King, but I’ve since tuned into his other work. We’d been shooting for four months in the heat when he joined us, and I was exhausted – I was at my wits’ end – but he brought a new energy to it. He was like a fresh burst of light. I was fortunate to work with his son, Max, on The Riot Club [2014], and I’ve just finished a job with his wife, Sinéad Cusack. I’m working my way through the Ironses!

You were very young when you found success in blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Hunger Games. Did that take time to adjust to?

Yeah, I remember my first day in Hawaii, doing the table read for Pirates with Johnny Depp to my left and Penélope Cruz to my right, thinking, “What the hell just happened?” On my first trip to LA, my agent took me to this restaurant and said, “Has your life changed much?” and I was like, “No, no one knows who I am.” Then Penélope and Javier Bardem walk in, going, “Hi Sam.” And my agent was like, “No, your life hasn’t changed – just two Oscar winners saying hello!” But I still have very low expectations of every job I do. I’m probably too humble for my own good sometimes.

You also had children quite young [a son and daughter from his six-year marriage to actress Laura Haddock]. Did that stop you from going off the deep end?

I suppose I matured a lot quicker than some others. There are actors in their 50s who still live like they’re in their 20s. But I was never a big party person. I think that’s partly to do with being working class – I didn’t have the money to flash on expensive VIP tables in nightclubs. My parents had kids very young, and I always just wanted to be a dad when I believed I’d met the right person.

You’ve said you spent your early career “playing second fiddle to strong female leads” like Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart and Emilia Clarke. That’s probably not a bad thing for an actor, is it?

Absolutely not. There was a time when white men were fronting pretty much every film, but my experience from the get-go was working with female writers, directors and producers on films with strong female leads. I was always the romantic love interest. And that’s still continuing. The amount of times I’ve been in a pub and a guy’s gone, “I dunno who you are, but my girlfriend really likes you.” I’m like, “OK… but why are you talking to me in the toilet?”

Is it true you didn’t know much about music when you were cast in Daisy Jones & the Six?

Yeah, the music producer said, “Do you know this song?” and started playing Come Together. I said, “That’s Michael Jackson.” Of course it was the flipping Beatles.

Well, you were only working with Elvis’s granddaughter (Riley Keough), so no pressure…

Exactly. I was so far removed from that world, and she was so deep in it – so deep that she’d sort of removed herself from it. She’d never sung or played an instrument either, so we were navigating that at the same time, which helped us build a chemistry.

But you did know who Elvis was?

Yeah, I’d heard of Elvis. Elvis Costello, right?

The big question: who is Norwich’s most famous son — you or Alan Partridge?

Oh, Alan, every day. I think Delia Smith’s up there too, and Stephen Fry. But no one can compete with Alan Partridge. He’s the King of Norwich.

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The Count of Monte Cristo is on U and U&Drama from Saturday 2 August.

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