'Roadkill' Preview: Hugh Laurie wants your vote. Will you choose a lying, cheating man as your leader?
In his upcoming political thriller, Hugh Laurie plays a twisted character who is going to lead you to question your own values. Hiding behind a veil of secrets and lies, Laurie stars in the thrilling BBC series 'Roadkill' which is now coming to PBS. A man in the trailer describes Laurie's character on the show, "Just because he's right-wing, doesn't mean he's a criminal," he says.
Or does it?
The British four-part television thriller written and created by David Hare, and directed by Michael Keillor, stars Hugh Laurie as Peter Laurence, "a morally questionable politician with some secrets from his past threatening his ambitions for his future." The "self-made forceful and charismatic politician" soon finds his public and private life upended as his deepest secrets start becoming public knowledge. Is it just by chance or is his life picked apart by his enemies?
In the midst of this chaos, the politician is shamelessly untroubled by guilt or remorse - as expertly walking a high wire between glory and catastrophe. Discussing the show, Laurie had said, “'Roadkill' is a political drama about the price of success in the political realm and what it demands of the people who do it and those around the person who does it. It's pretty unforgiving.” So now, the true question is whether Peter will manage to stand true to his aspirations. With more foes than friends, can Peter Laurence ever out-run his own buried secrets and win the ultimate seat in the British Parliament?
The synopsis for Episode 1 of the miniseries offers a sneak peek into what the show tackles. "Having just seen off a libel case, UK government minister Peter Laurence faces a pair of family scandals. Could the embarrassment derail his political career?"
So Laurie plays a character with high political aspirations - one who is not going to let the smallest of hurdles derail him from his dream. And if there is anyone who can play the twisted role best, it is Laurie.
You might know the actor from his award-winning role as the curmudgeonly Dr. Gregory House on 'House', and for his role as American politician Tom James in 'Veep'. He's also appeared in popular movies such as 'Stuart Little', 'Sense and Sensibility', and series such as 'The Night Manager'. The actor won multiple Golden Globe Awards for his performances in 'The Night Manager' and 'House', as well as a handful of other awards for his role as Dr. Gregory House, including a TCA Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards, People's Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards and more.
Laurie's character on 'Roadkill' is a new feat for the actor. Is Peter Laurence someone the public can put their trust in? Or is he a cheating, conniving politician sans conscience?
'Roadkill' airs on Masterpiece on PBS on November 1, 2020, at 9/8c.