Cate Blanchett and Tom Burke Team Up in New Stage and Film Adaptations

LONDON, England — British actor Tom Burke is making waves with his recent collaborations with Oscar winner Cate Blanchett. Currently, they are performing together in a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play, ‘The Seagull,’ staged at the Barbican. Their collaboration extends to the upcoming espionage thriller ‘Black Bag‘ directed by Steven Soderbergh.

In ‘The Seagull,’ Burke portrays Trigorin, a writer entangled in a complex web of relationships. Blanchett takes on the role of Arkadina, a renowned actress whose overwhelming presence influences both her family dynamics and professional relationships. The drama unfolds at Arkadina’s family estate, where she confronts her son Konstantin, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, who struggles for independence and artistic recognition amid his mother’s shadow. Their love triangle with aspiring actress Nina, portrayed by Emma Corrin, drives the narrative into deeper emotional currents.

The adaptation, helmed by Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier, has embraced the humor inherent in Chekhov’s work. ‘She was really the first to get up, and just in the best possible way, be a little clownish in the rehearsal room,’ Burke noted, crediting Blanchett with creating a playful atmosphere that encouraged the cast to explore the comedic elements of the play.

Burke described the rehearsal process as ‘very holistic,’ indicating that modifications during technical rehearsals often required discussion about the actors’ performances, a departure from the norm. He expressed that the production aims for an approach that is more ‘true’ than ‘naturalistic,’ likening it to the work of playwright Harold Pinter. ‘If you play the reality of each moment, Pinter is incredibly menacing. If you try and be menacing in Pinter, it’s incredibly dull,’ he explained.

Addressing the complexity of his character, Burke stated, ‘They’re all both. That’s the genius of Chekhov. They’re all tragic. They’re all comic, they’re all selfish.’ This duality crafts a rich tapestry of characters willing to risk everything for love yet grappling with self-preservation.

In ‘Black Bag,’ set for release on March 14, Burke portrays Freddie Smalls, a suspect entangled in the life of George Woodhouse, played by Michael Fassbender. Woodhouse serves as an elite operative at Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre, tasked with uncovering a mole while balancing personal loyalties—one of which is to his wife, Kathryn St. Jean (Blanchett). Burke described how the dynamic between his character and Blanchett’s differs fundamentally on stage and screen, stating, ‘It was largely to do with the character and the circumstances we were playing.’

Burke elaborated on the film’s premise: intelligence operatives are often encouraged to keep personal matters within their department, leading to a web of secrecy that complicates relationships. ‘If they say the words ”black bag,” that’s the end of the conversation,’ he remarked, highlighting the tensions and implications of personal relationships in high-pressure environments.

Praising Soderbergh’s directing style, Burke acknowledged, ‘I think he’s very good at optimizing what actors bring to it,’ emphasizing how Soderbergh’s streamlined shooting methods enhance performances.

Additionally, Burke stars in the forthcoming series ‘Blade Runner 2099′ on Prime Video, which continues the narrative of the acclaimed original and its sequel. Although details remain under wraps, Burke hinted at the series exploring what it means to be human, echoing themes from the franchise’s history. ‘Can we really have a full sense of humanity without being very aware of our own dual sides?’ he pondered.

Burke’s portrayal of multifaceted characters resonates through his various projects. In discussing his role as detective Cormoran Strike in the BBC series ‘Strike,’ adapted from J.K. Rowling‘s novels, he identified the commonality in his characters: ‘I’ve always found myself playing people who are very defined by their relationships.’

‘The Seagull’ is currently showing at the Barbican, while ‘Black Bag’ will premiere in theaters on March 14.