Starring in many of the nation’s favourites (Misfits and Silent Witness) and a handful of colourful art house films, actor Ed Hogg is armed with rugged good looks, wit, and bucket loads of talent. Switch on to this.
Hailing from Sheffield, Ed likes to embrace his inner quirks and enjoys playing enigmatic characters who live life on the fringes. Photographed by i-D contributor Nik Hartley, Ed is best known for his roles in thriller White Lightnin’ and Roland Emmerich’s Anonymous. His road to success hasn’t always been smooth though; while playing the role of Woyzeck at The Gate Theatre in London on his way up, Ed subsided his £70 p/w salary by working in a call centre. But talent shines, and before long, Ed was stealing shows in performances at The Globe Theatre and winning lead roles on the big screen. Now living in the South London suburbs, i-D online chatted work, play and musical pursuits with the steely eyed star who used to crack eggs on his head.
What was it like growing up in Sheffield? Growing up in Sheffield was great. I was actually born and lived in Foncaster until I was six but we moved back just after I had started school. Until recently, going to Sheffield was always “going home” but now that place is London. Woolwich to be more precise, another fabulous place to live.
Wikipedia said you were in a post-punk band called Porno King. How did you decide on the name?! And what was the best gig you played? I’m not quite sure how we decided on the name. I do remember that some very dodgy names were suggested before we settled on Porno King. The White Raven was probably my favourite. It sounded like we were starting a pub. We played so many gigs around the Sheffield area between 1995-97, but my favourite was our first. The Leadmill on a Monday night, we supported a band called Freakspurt. I wore my brother’s shirt and cracked two raw eggs into my hair. I was 16 and using egg as product was about as punk as I got.
What music did you grow up with? Growing up I was heavily influenced by my older brother who listened to a lot of early indie bands. I found Oasis through him and bands like Pulp and Supergrass. My favourite band was These Animal Men.
What’s been your favourite acting role so far? My favourite acting role was Woyzeck. It was a production put on at The Gate Theatre in West London. I earnt £70.00 a week and was subsidising my income by working in a call centre. But that production changed my professional life. I got a year’s work off the back of it, working at both the National Theatre and The Globe. Woyzeck is the story of a man who is on the lowest rung of the ladder, who is finally pushed to breaking when the one love he holds dear is taken away from him. It’s heartbreaking.
What kind of characters are you drawn to playing? I’m drawn to playing people on the fringes. The ones that don’t quite fit in. Failing that, parts that pay well.
What’s the most awkward or weird scene you’ve ever had to play? All sex scenes are strange. I remember doing one and the director was sat next to the bed saying “Talk dirty Ed, say something sexy” while the other actor writhed on top of me. It felt pretty weird. But acting is a weird job.
What are your thoughts on the F*ck yeah Edward Hogg blog? Errr, F*ck Yeah!
You played Robert Cecil in Anonymous, if you could play any other historial character who would it be? I’d like to play David against Goliath. That would be an amazing film.
Who’s your dream character? My dream role I guess is Woyzeck. He’s an ordinary guy just like any of us, who finally says no to all the injustice and unfairness in his world and stands up. He does it in an extreme way but it’s what we should all be doing given the world we live in at the moment.
Which actors do you most admire? My favourite actor is James Cagney. Angels with Dirty Faces is my favourite of his films. “What do yer hear, what do yer say Joe?”.
What are you up to this weekend? This weekend I’m going to see a friend in a play at the Donmar. Then watching Bruce Springsteen in Hyde Park. What are you up to?
What music are you listening to at the moment? My taste in music is bad at the moment. I mostly listen to music when I’m running and I like upbeat pop. Cheesy and cheerful. But I still love Elvis. And Tom Petty.
Are you in love? I’m always in love. I fall in love at least 12 times a day. The tube is a nightmare for it.
fuckyeahedwardhogg.tumblr.com
Introduction: Rebecca Arts
Photography: Nik Hartley
Styling: Hugo Lavin
Hair and Makeup: Kota Suizu @Balcony Jump using Bumble and Bumble.
Styling Assistance: John Alexander Skelton
Look 1: Ed wears Blazer The Kooples. Shirt Margaret Howell. Trousers John-Gabriel Harrison. Vest Quicksilver. Braces Vintage. Boots A.P.C. Watch Swatch. Look 2: Coat Matthew Miller. Shirt Adidas SLVR. Watch Swatch. Belt Prada Vintage.
