Timothée Chalamet reveals Cotswolds dream and deep acting commitments

Timothée Chalamet joined Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show this morning where he shared his growing affection for Britain and gave insights into his intense preparation for roles.

Reflecting on previous time spent filming in the UK, Chalamet spoke warmly about shooting in Bath, London and the countryside. He admitted developing a particular fascination with the Cotswolds, which he described as a source of comfort when relaxing at home.

He told host Scott that driving through the British countryside left a lasting impression, praising the fresh air and idyllic scenery. He also revealed that he regularly falls asleep watching house tours and walking videos filmed around the Cotswolds.

Joking about the idea of relocating, Chalamet said he would love to live there, painting an affectionate picture of rainy walks in boots, cosy towns and the appeal of a traditional Sunday roast, while delighting in place names such as Chipping Norton.

The conversation then turned to his commitment to roles, with Mills asking about the lengths Chalamet goes to when learning new skills for a film, including the extended preparation for his role in Marty Supreme.

Chalamet explained that the project first came together in 2018 and that during the COVID period he cleared his New York apartment to make space for a full table tennis set-up, using the time to train intensively while also learning guitar.

He said the prolonged production schedules on major films such as Wonka and Dune allowed him the freedom to practise extensively, adding that there are “worse things in life than learning the guitar and learning how to play table tennis for a living”.

When asked about method acting, Chalamet distanced himself from the label, describing his approach instead as “method energy”, explaining that while he does not stay in character, he tries to avoid anything that might pull him out of the mindset required for a role.

Discussing the emotional impact of his work, he suggested that characters often stay with him beyond filming, saying that roles tend to meet him at moments in life where the experience feels mutually beneficial and something he can genuinely learn from.

Music also featured prominently in the interview, with Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World played and discussed as a defining influence on Marty Supreme, which Chalamet described as capturing the spirit and themes of the film.

He shared that director Josh Safdie considers the track one of the greatest songs ever written, and that its lyrics and meaning reflect the film’s exploration of ambition, individualism and the American dream.

The moment took an emotional turn when Curt Smith from Tears for Fears sent a surprise message praising the film and Chalamet’s performance, referencing the use of the band’s music and thanking the production for its attention to detail.

Clearly moved, Chalamet responded by thanking Smith for the message and calling him a “tremendous artist”, before also taking a moment to praise co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, describing her as an incredible actress whose talent spans decades.

You can listen to the full interview here: The Scott Mills Breakfast Show – Timothée Chalamet is popping in! – BBC Sounds.