To many, he is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Jimmy McNulty on the HBO drama The Wire.
With a blue-collar American accent and a host of off-duty problems – including alcoholism, child support and unpaid alimony – the character’s turbulent life is far removed from that of the man who plays him.
Born into a wealthy family and benefiting from a first-class education at Eton and Dublin’s prestigious Trinity College, Dominic West’s portrayal of McNulty was just another string to his bow.
But the actor, 54, whose screen credits also include a recent portrayal of King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in the Netflix series The Crown, says his aristocratic wife Catherine FitzGerald believes he only excels when playing very away from their own privileged environment.
He told the sunday time: ‘My wife, who is genuinely upper class, always tells me: “You’re much better in the popular areas, you’re not very good at being upper class, you’re not convincing at all.” And I agree with her.’
Dominic West says aristocrat wife Catherine FitzGerald believes he only excels when taking on working class roles
West played troubled detective Jimmy McNulty (pictured) on The Wire for all five seasons of the HBO show.
West has also won praise for his role as ex-convict Jean Valjean in a television adaptation of Les Miserables and for a memorable, chilling performance as serial killer builder Fred West in the hard-hitting drama Appropriate Adult.
‘I’m McNulty and I’m Jean Valjean and I am Iago [a role he played with a thick Yorkshire accent in a Sheffield Crucible production of Othello].
‘I think those are my best roles. Some people look good in stiff collars, but I don’t think I’m one of them. I understand the attitudes and customs of the upper class and I like those characters, but as an outsider.’
West recently admitted that he didn’t get out of bed for two days after reading negative reviews of The Crown.
The sixth and final series, which premiered last year, was branded “deeply in bad taste” and “absolutely deplorable” by critics and royal experts, after Princess Diana’s ghost appeared in scenes.
And the actor, who played the King (then Prince Charles) in the Netflix series, said he is relieved the drama is over and he no longer has to be immersed in the world of the Royal Family.
West was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today program if he was worried about how the royals would respond to the series.
He said: ‘All the reactions worry me. I read all the reviews and spent two days in bed. So yes, I’m a sensitive soul, I worry about what people think.
The actor’s most recent film credits also include a portrayal of King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in the Netflix series The Crown.
“My wife, who is genuinely upper class, always tells me: ‘You’re much better in working class areas, you’re not very good at being upper class, you’re not convincing at all,'” he said.
“I don’t want to make their lives any harder than they already are, so I guess it does concern you.”
Of his experience on the show, Dominic said: ‘I loved being on it. I loved wearing the clothes.
I loved driving the cars and I loved when people waved at me. It is an absolutely wonderful feeling. I miss him.’