‘He’s a walking, talking Wikipedia’: How Tom Hiddleston helped Richard E Grant play Loki
A few days after delighting fans with behind-the-scenes pictures of his costume for Loki, Richard E Grant is sitting in front of me on a video call to tell me all about his cameo role – although this time there are sadly no green tights or “baggy, yellow Y-fronts”, as he puts it, in sight.
But first, it’s the day after the Euro 2020 final when we speak, and there’s only one thing anyone is talking about. “Heartbreaking,” says the actor, of England losing to Italy on penalties.
Grant, a West Ham fan, reflects on the cruel nature of spot kicks deciding the outcome. He thinks there must be a better way. “I would rather they played three more hours than resort to penalties,” he says. “What do you feel?”
Grant plays Classic Loki in Marvel’s Loki series, starring Tom Hiddleston. Pic: Marvel Studios/Disney+
Unfailingly friendly and polite, Richard E Grant likes to ask his own questions back. Whether it’s football, favourite Marvel characters (Spider-Man) or the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (not impressed), the answer is usually followed by a variation of: “And what about you?”
We’re here to talk about Loki, the six-part TV series spin-off featuring the mercurial God of Mischief Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, with the character stepping out of his brother Thor’s shadow following the events of Avengers: Endgame.
Grant’s character is an older variant of Hiddleston’s Loki. Pic: Marvel Studios/ Disney+
Grant’s debut as Classic Loki, an older Loki variant, came in the penultimate episode of the series, which aired earlier in July. With so many Marvel films and spin-offs, did the British actor have to do much homework before signing up?
“Well, the advantage is that Tom Hiddleston is literally a walking, talking Wikipedia, Loki-centric guru, fundi, whatever you call it, of all things Loki and Norse legends,” says Grant. “So when in doubt, if there was anything that I was curious about or didn’t know about, you just ask Tom and he could explain everything with enormous eloquence and passion and detail.
“And even though he’s played this role for over a decade, his commitment to it is absolutely off the chart. I’ve never, never come across anything like it. There’s certainly nothing exhausted about him or thinking, ‘oh I’m going to phone this in, I’m doing Loki again’. He is as enthusiastic and passionate about doing it as he was the first time he ever played the part.”
Grant says because of his “long face and V-shaped hairline” similar to Loki’s, he and Hiddleston had joked about him playing his father in the past.
“Not that you see it once I’m in the helmet and the headgear,” he says of his hair. “But every time I’d seen Tom socially down the last decade, we’d joked about playing father and son in something. So the fact that I ended up being an old, classic version of Loki to his Loki seemed serendipitous at some level. I was glad that’s how it worked out.”
One thing he was disappointed with was Classic Loki’s lack of muscles; Grant had been hoping to be transformed into a hulking superhero. “I was absolutely gutted that I didn’t have all the muscles that the [comic book artist] Jack Kirby drawings of Classi Loki had, and I absolutely assumed that… I would have a full Marvel muscle suit to step into, having been born without any.
The series follows Loki after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Pic: Marvel Studios/Disney+
“And the costume designer and the director, Kate Herron, said, no, no, no, you’re just going to be as you are. And I said, but look, how can I possibly fight when I’m like an old string bean? And they said, no, no, don’t worry about that. So I had to in my head say, well, old, withered Loki is going to be trying to fight off all forces of evil. But I would love to have had the muscles.”
In June, the series made headlines when it was revealed that Loki is bisexual and gender-fluid, something of a first for Marvel. “From the moment I joined @LokiOfficial it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual,” director Kate Herron tweeted at the time. “It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now Canon in #mcu #Loki.”
Grant says it was an important step. “I think that because there are so many Loki variants and at this particular moment in the zeitgeist of where we’re living, people feeling disenfranchised or marginalised being included and seen and acknowledged is something that is so… profoundly in all humans that I’ve ever come across, that Loki being gender-fluid, it fits the moment in which we’re living, if that makes sense.
“I think that anything that promotes tolerance, inclusivity, is something that is hugely worth championing and celebrating.”
The actor says he was struck by Loki not just being God of Mischief, but of outcasts, too. “I think that that keyed me into the loneliness of somebody that’s… as much as you’d like to think you could live forever and the fantasy that we would live eternally, the reality is that you would be very lonely, and the need for human connection is so strong in us that that’s… [Loki] longs to see a family member and as a result is caught by the TVA (Time Variance Authority), in the story, so I completely identify with that.”
Grant was nominated for an Oscar in 2019, for his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Grant’s appearance in the Marvel series comes off the back of something of a late blooming for his acting career, with a role in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker in 2019 and his first Oscar nomination coming earlier that year, for his supporting role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? alongside Melissa McCarthy, after more than 30 years in showbiz. (None of this topped meeting his hero Barbra Streisand, though). Later this year, the 64-year-old will be seen playing drag queen Loco Chanelle in the film version of the award-winning musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
Grant, whose character in Can You Ever Forgive Me? was also gay, is aware of the current debate about whether straight actors should play gay roles, and says it is an issue he has discussed. “I’d just come off an award season for… God, what’s it called, the film with Melissa McCarthy that I did, called…” Just that film he was Oscar nominated for. “Can You Forgive Me? Yeah. In which there had been this ongoing conversation at that point two years ago about whether heterosexual actors could play… whether you were denying gay actors the opportunity to do that.
“So it was a thing that I brought up with [Everybody’s Talking About Jamie director] Jonathan Butterell time and again, and he said, I have chosen you, as a gay director and co-writer of the story, to play this part and you have to trust me that all of us are behind you doing this. So I thought, well, if they if they’re determined to do that, I’m not going to miss this opportunity to do it. And it was a very, very challenging and entertaining thing to do and I had an amazing team of people that helped me do all of it.”
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Grant goes on to compare his Loco Chanelle costume with his Classic Loki ensemble. “What nobody tells you is that when you are in full drag, you can’t go to the loo at all for about 12 hours, so you drink a tiny amount through a straw. Whereas on Loki at least those sort of baggy, yellow Y fronts could be removed fairly fast, with a couple of snaps underneath.”
And if Grant were able to take on the powers of God of Mischief in real life, what would he get up to?
“I think the first thing I would have done is, as we are an island, and when COVID was announced in March last year, I think that I would have closed the airports and the ports – just for starters – like Australia and Japan and Taiwan and all the other islands, New Zealand,” he says. “I think that would have been my first thing.”
It’s fair to say he’s not a fan of the way the pandemic has been handled then? “I think that’s very fair to say. What do you think?” I think closing the borders and trying to handle the pandemic better sounds like a very sensible use of his powers, but not very mischievous.
“Yes,” Grant replies. “But if I had to say who the mischief was going to be landed upon, I would be in political deep water instantaneously!”
Loki is out now on Disney+
Entertainment
Nestle memo reveals BBC knew about ‘unacceptable’ behaviour from Gregg Wallace on factory show last year
The BBC was alerted to Gregg Wallace’s “unacceptable” behaviour while filming Inside The Factory more than a year and a half ago, Sky News can confirm.
A memo to staff at the Nestle factory in York shows concerns were raised with both the broadcaster and production company Voltage TV after Wallace’s final visit in February 2023.
The memo, which was shared on the company intranet, says the “experience of some of the team taking part in the filming had not been a pleasant one” and had “compromised” Nestle’s values.
An accompanying letter from Nestle’s head of media relations to the factory manager states: “We have written to the production company… and spoken to the BBC to bring our unacceptable experience to their attention in the hope that it is not repeated in other workplaces around the UK.”
While the letter does not name Wallace directly, it is understood to be in reference to him.
Wallace, who is best known for being a MasterChef presenter, is facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour from more than a dozen people across a range of shows over a 17-year period.
His lawyers have said it’s “entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.
Wallace quit as co-presenter of Inside the Factory in March 2023, saying he intended to focus on other TV commitments, and his young son, who is autistic.
At the time, there were reports the 60-year-old former greengrocer had offended some staff at the York factory with inappropriate comments.
The company’s memo reiterates a “zero-tolerance approach towards any allegation of discrimination, harassment or bullying of any kind in the workplace, whether this be by an employee, contractor, or visitor”.
Wallace presents MasterChef alongside John Torode (left). Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
It was the programme’s fifth visit to a Nestle site and its third to York, but the memo says “we will not be working with Inside the Factory again in the future” as the show “did not meet our high standards of respect”.
“We will not tolerate any kind of racism, misogyny, homophobia, bullying, exclusion or harassment and we have strict policies in place to deal swiftly and decisively with this kind of behaviour,” the memo adds.
Sky News has contacted representatives for Wallace, and the BBC and Voltage TV for comment.
Earlier on Tuesday, the BBC confirmed it was pulling three repeat episodes of Inside The Factory from the Christmas schedule.
It told Sky News it would not be removing them from iPlayer “at this stage”.
Two celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials have also been removed from the schedule.
Wallace has temporarily stepped down from the cooking show while the complaints are externally reviewed by a law firm.
Groping allegation
More allegations against the presenter surfaced on Tuesday – with two women claiming Wallace had inappropriately touched them.
One told the BBC he “groped” her bottom, while another alleged he laughed after touching her bottom “with his waist and penis” when brushing past her.
A third claimed Wallace’s penis was partially exposed in his dressing room in what she felt was a “power play”.
The Guardian also reported a complaint that he once asked a sign language interpreter to translate “big boobs” and “sexy bum” in front of the audience at the BBC Good Food Show.
Sky News has also asked the BBC and Wallace’s representatives for comment on these claims.
An increasing number of people have accused the presenter of inappropriate sexual comments in recent days, including a former contestant who told Sky News one remark left her crying in the toilets.
Jackie Kearney said she had been “troubled” by Wallace’s “household favourite status” as she felt he was “a bit of a sleaze behind closed doors”.
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‘If it’s just banter then why am I crying in the toilet?’
Another former contestant told Sky News the claims are just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to MasterChef.
He claimed to have witnessed a “toxic environment” on set and the problem was “larger” than just the presenter.
On Sunday, Wallace responded with a social media video dismissing his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age”.
The remark prompted a huge backlash, with even Downing Street commenting.
He apologised in another clip on Monday, saying he “wasn’t in a good head space” when he posted the previous video.
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Wallace sorry for ‘middle-class women’ comments
Read more:
What are the allegations – and what has Wallace said?
‘Middle-aged women’: An epic failure in crisis management
What have the BBC and producers said?
Banijay UK has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation.
A spokesperson said the company takes complaints “incredibly seriously” but will not comment on individual allegations while the external investigation is ongoing.
“It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors,” the Banijay spokesperson said.
“These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously.”
In response to reports multiple complaints had been raised with the BBC, a source for the corporation said it would not comment on individuals or any internal HR processes, but that it would be “wrong to report the BBC has done nothing if or when matters have been raised with us – not least because it is already being widely reported there were interventions in both 2017 and 2018 where action was taken”.
Last week, a BBC spokesperson said any issues raised are taken seriously and there are “robust processes in place” to deal with them.
“We are always clear that any behaviour which falls below the standards expected by the BBC will not be tolerated,” they said.
Ghetts, Jorja Smith and Central Cee are among the artists leading the nominations for this year’s MOBO Awards.
They all have three nods, alongside Sampha, Bashy, Cleo Sol and Odeal, while Brit record-breaker Raye is up for two awards and Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj and Tyla are among the stars in the running for best international act.
As previously announced, the 2025 ceremony will take place in Newcastle in February. The MOBOs, which have been running since 1996, celebrate black music and culture, from established names to up-and-coming talent.
Raye (right) on stage with her grandmother at the Brit Awards earlier this year – where she won a record six gongs. Pic: PA
For Bashy, who is also a successful actor – known for his role as Jermaine Newton in Top Boy – the nominations come following his return to music with his first album in 15 years.
The record, Being Poor Is Expensive, looks back at his childhood and has earned him a place in the shortlists for best male act, best hip-hop act, and album of the year.
He has competition from Cleo Sol’s Gold, Ghetts’s On Purpose, With Purpose, Jorja Smith’s Falling Or Flying, Sampha’s Lahai and Skrapz’s Reflection in the album category.
Little Simz was named best hip-hop act at the 2024 ceremony. Pic: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for MOBO
Both Smith and Sol are up for best female, alongside Darkoo, Little Simz, Nia Archives and Raye, while Central Cee, D-Block Europe, Ghetts, Nemzz and Sampha are in the running against Bashy for best male.
Central Cee will be hoping to take the best male gong for the third year in a row – and is also shortlisted for best drill act and song of the year, for Band4Band, featuring Lil Baby.
Other tracks in the running for song of the year are Backbone, by Chase & Status and Stormzy; Favourite Girl, by Darkoo featuring Dess Dior; Kehlani, by Jordan Adetunji; Pink Lemonade, by LeoStayTrill; and Soh-Soh, by Odeal.
Stars including Headie One, Nines, PinkPantheress, Bob Vylan and Shygirl are also in the mix, nominated in genre categories including best hip-hop, best electronic and dance, and best alternative act.
Read more:
Ghetts interview: ‘Peace is not too much to ask for’
Raye on the fight for her debut album: ‘It’s been a wild journey’
Film and TV contributions are also recognised – with Netflix series Supacell garnering nods for Ghetts for his role as Krazy, as well as for Josh Tedeku, who plays Tazer, and Tosin Cole as Michael.
EastEnders also picks up nominations in the same category for Angela Wynter as Yolande Trueman and Diane Parish as Denise Fox, while Jasmine Jobson is shortlisted for her performance in Top Boy.
The MOBO Awards take place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on 18 February.
Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, has died at the age of 69.
Her death was confirmed by Eminem’s representative Dennis Dennehy on Tuesday.
The cause of death is yet to be confirmed, although Ms Nelson had battled lung cancer.
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, often highlighted the strained relationship he had with his mother in his music.
In two of his most popular songs, My Name Is and Cleanin’ Out My Closet, he accuses Ms Nelson of drug abuse and neglect.
Eminem mentioned his mother in various songs early in his career. Pic: AP
In the 2002 hit Cleanin’ Out My Closet he says: “Witnessin’ your mama poppin’ prescription pills in the kitchen”. He later claims she was “trying to take what you didn’t help me get”.
Later the same year, a fictionalised version of his mother who is an alcoholic, was played by Kim Basinger in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile which the rapper also stars in.
Ms Nelson brought and settled a pair of defamation lawsuits over Eminem’s statements about her in magazines and on radio talk shows.
But in her 2008 book My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, she attempted to set the record straight.
The book’s blurb claims that she was a “single mother who wanted the world for her son, only to see herself defamed and shut out when he got it”, Sky News’ US partner network NBC said.
She also shared details about the rapper’s early life, writing that Eminem had forgotten the good times they had.
Read more from Sky News:
Gregg Wallace faces new claims of ‘groping’
British band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint
Over the years, the tensions between the two seemed to simmer, with the rapper apologising to Ms Nelson in his 2013 song Headlights.
“Cause to this day we remain estranged, and I hate it though,” he raps, adding: “Cause you ain’t even get to witness your grandbabies grow. But I’m sorry, momma, for Cleanin’ Out My Closet. At the time I was angry, rightfully? Maybe so. Never meant that far to take it, though.”
Ms Nelson also publicly congratulated her son in 2022 after he was indicted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Billboard reported, saying in a video shared at the time: “I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”
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