Peter Capaldi on London Noir, Punk Revival, and Masculinity at 70
Peter Capaldi, the acclaimed actor known for roles from Malcolm Tucker to Doctor Who, is embracing a creative renaissance as he approaches his 70th birthday. In an exclusive interview, he opens up about his recent punk rock tour, the gritty London setting of Apple TV+'s Criminal Record, and his concerns about modern masculinity.
The Punk Rock Comeback
Capaldi recently completed a two-week musical tour, his first since fronting Glasgow punk band The Dreamboys nearly five decades ago. The tour spanned Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, and Edinburgh, culminating at London's legendary 100 Club. "I'm knackered," admits the 67-year-old, whose most rock 'n' roll moment was simply "staying up after midnight—I'm usually in bed by 10 o'clock!"
Influenced by David Byrne, David Bowie, and The Sex Pistols, Capaldi emphasizes that the band isn't a new career but a joyful return to his roots. He fondly recalls driving through the night on the tour bus, exchanging "war stories" with fellow musicians.
Criminal Record: London Noir Revived
Capaldi stars in the second season of Apple TV+'s British crime drama Criminal Record, which premieres later this month. He plays a Metropolitan Police detective whose shady past resurfaces, opposite Cush Jumbo's young officer. The series, written by Paul Rutman and produced by Capaldi's wife Elaine Collins, captures London's raw essence—from Hackney housing estates to grim police stations.
"Bringing London to life was key," Capaldi explains. He cites classics like The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa as inspirations, lamenting how Soho's once-seedy corners have vanished. "We couldn't even find a seedy doorway!" he laughs, noting the show's authentic location shoots often led to brushes with impatient locals, which he sees as keeping the production grounded.
Confronting Toxic Masculinity
The new season delves deeper into the toxic online "manosphere" and its real-world impacts. "The world is so worrying at the moment," Capaldi says seriously. "I'm particularly fretful about violence against women. I don't understand how men can pursue an idea of masculinity where they use strength to hurt women. These ideas are adolescent—real strength is about care, compassion, and choosing difficult routes."
Despite playing aggressive characters like Malcolm Tucker and DCI Hegarty, Capaldi insists he doesn't carry the emotional toll home. "It's a great privilege to play troubled people," he says with a smile.
From Geeky Roles to Iconic Characters
Capaldi reflects on his evolution from playing "geeky, clownish" roles to embodying smart, angry men. "The young me would be surprised to hear I play intelligent people," he admits. "I thought Shakespeare and Chekhov were for 'proper actors.' But life beat me up a bit, and that changed me—it gave me new layers to play."
His breakthrough came with Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It, followed by his tenure as the 12th Doctor Who. "It changed people's perception of me and my own concept of capabilities," he notes.
Oscars, Art, and Keeping the Flame Alive
Capaldi, who won an Oscar in 1993 for his short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life, remains an active Academy voter. He recently supported Train Dreams over Paul Thomas Anderson's winner, citing his art student background: "You get a free pass to be arty."
He dismisses Timothee Chalamet's criticism of opera and ballet as "silly and boring," advocating for artistic encouragement. "There aren't enough working-class kids acting today," he observes. "I tell young actors to keep the flame alive—the belief that you can do this."
With Criminal Record poised for future seasons and his creative fire burning bright, Capaldi continues to captivate audiences. While he rules out a Malcolm Tucker comeback ("It's a young man's game"), his legacy endures through powerful performances and punk rock revival.
Criminal Record Season 2 streams on Apple TV+ from April 22.
