Richmond, VA – As the winter chill sets in, there’s a buzz of activity in a movie-set trailer, where Jason Isaacs is transforming. He’s not just any actor on any set; he’s stepping into the shoes of Cary Grant, one of Hollywood’s timeless icons, in ITV’s new four-part bio-drama, “Archie.” But this isn’t your typical Hollywood story. It’s a deep dive into the life of a man who built himself from the ground up, from a poor working-class family in Bristol to a cinema legend.
Wrapped in layers to fend off the freezing rain, Isaacs shares his experience of becoming Cary Grant, starting with the daily ritual of getting spray-painted to mimic Grant’s deep tan. It’s a part of an extensive makeover that includes prosthetics and contact lenses. “When the makeup comes off,” Isaacs says, “there’s almost nothing that’s me.”
This transformation mirrors the life of Archibald Leach, the boy from Bristol who reinvented himself as Cary Grant, Hollywood’s suave superstar. Writer and executive producer Jeff Pope brings us a story that’s as strange as it is true, delving into Grant’s complex personal history.
Grant’s life was marked by tragedy and hardship. He grew up believing his mother was dead, only to discover 25 years later that she was alive, confined in a psychiatric hospital. This is just one of the many twists in a life that seemed scripted for the silver screen. “His whole life was a civil war,” Pope reflects, revealing the internal battle Grant faced between his public persona and his private self.
The series also explores Grant’s later life, including his marriage to actor Dyan Cannon, played by Laura Aikman, and the birth of his only child. Aikman, too, underwent her transformation, channeling Cannon’s spirit and famous big hair.
But “Archie” isn’t just about the glitz and glamour. It’s a story of redemption and transformation. For Grant, fatherhood was a turning point. Despite the struggles and failed marriages, becoming a father improved him as a human being. It’s a facet of Grant’s life that is often overshadowed by his on-screen persona.
Pope and Isaacs don’t just bring us a tale of a star; they present a man who fought a lifelong battle against his demons, who loved and lost, who craved acceptance and struggled with his identity. “Archie” is a reminder that behind every legend, there’s a human story waiting to be told.
As Isaacs prepares to step back into Grant’s bronzed skin, we are reminded of the masks we all wear. “Archie” is set to peel back these layers, revealing the true story of a man who was as complex and captivating off-screen as he was on it.
“Archie” premieres on ITV and ITVX on 23 November, inviting us to look beyond Cary Grant’s cinematic charm and delve into the life of the man who was Archibald Leach.