Against all odds! ‘Shardlake’ star Arthur Hughes is the role model we need right now
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Arthur Hughes is giving us some major life goals and we can't help but admire him!
Starring as the lead in Hulu's ‘Shardlake’, Hughes portrays a charming lawyer, Matthew Shardlake, tasked by Sean Bean (Thomas Cromwell) to solve a grisly murder mystery in a secluded monastery.
But what makes Hughes the role model we need? Well, let's start with his breakout role in the 2018 Netflix series ‘The Innocents’, where he first captured our attention. Born with radial dysplasia, a rare condition affecting his right arm, Hughes has shattered barriers and made history. In 2022, he became the first disabled actor to portray Richard III for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Matthew Shardlake's character adapted from CJ Sansom's beloved historical mystery novels, emerges as a symbol of disability representation. Shardlake, a brilliant lawyer navigating the treacherous waters of King Henry VIII's reign, also grapples with disability. In the books, he's cruelly labeled a "hunchback" by a callous adversary, reflecting the harsh realities of Tudor-era prejudice.
It's clear that Hughes' portrayal of Shardlake is more than just a role; it's a powerful statement about acceptance and inclusion. Through his performance, Hughes shines a light on the importance of representation in media and inspires us all to embrace our differences.
Arthur Hughes reveals how he ensured Shardlake’s disability was portrayed well
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Hughes sheds light on his ‘Shardlake’ titular role saying, “We don’t see a lot of leading disabled characters. Well, we might, but they might not be played by disabled actors,” in an exclusive interview with ABC News.
Hughes further added, “I really hope the disabled audience can see that and see maybe some of the parallels with the world we live in today. And also just to show that that a disabled actor can play a leading part.”
In another interview with Ryan Tubridy on his mid-morning show on Virgin Radio UK, Hughes opened up about what he did to ensure Shardlake’s disability was portrayed properly. He said, “I think it was really important for a disabled actor to play Shardlake, a disabled man.”
He further said, “For me, I don't have scoliosis. It’s not the way my body works, but I wanted to find some truth in how I look, how I move and how Shardlake moves. I wanted that to be something with him. I didn't want to affect something completely, I wanted it to be kind of based in truth with me.”
Hughes said, “I worked with a movement director, and did research into how people would fix that condition in the day so we came up with the way, because, I think often, these portrayals of people with hunchbacks, to use that archaic term. It's often too much. I want something to be real, something that we kind of see day-to-day and I do think we've got that.”
Hughes added, “It's the least interesting thing about Shardlake, and like most disabled people, it's the least interesting thing about them. This isn't a show about disability, but the lead character is a disabled man and it's about how good a detective he is.”
‘Shardlake’ star Arthur Hughes once opened up about the barriers he faces living with a rare condition
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In an interview with Disability Horizons, Hughes revealed the struggles he faces living with an upper-limb difference as he said, “The barriers I face aren’t always very visible ones and not usually to do with access as such. In the profession I’m in, you can be judged very quickly at first glance, which may rule you out for certain jobs and castings because you have one arm a different size and shape from the other.”
He added, “Not often but sometimes I’ll have people stare or comment in public, which isn’t pleasant but thankfully quite rare. Another issue is often being underestimated in what my limitations are based on how I look.”
When and where to stream ‘Shardlake’?
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‘Shardlake’ dropped on Wednesday, May 1, and can be exclusively watched on Hulu and Disney+. Don't have access to Hulu? Worry not, Hulu offers a variety of subscription options to fit different budgets and entertainment needs with no hidden costs, long-term commitments, or cancellation fees.
Plans include Hulu (With Ads) for $7.99/month, Hulu (No Ads) for $17.99/month, and Hulu + Live TV plans starting at $75.99/month. Partner Add-ons, Premium Add-ons, and Live TV Add-ons are available, starting at $2.00/month.
‘Shardlake’ trailer