Greenisland actor Stephen Hagan will take on the role of artist Leonardo Da Vinci in series three of Netflix’s high-profile drama series Medici.
Series 2 of Medici – called Medici: The Magnificent – has already begun on Netflix.
Medici is an Italian-British television drama series about the Medici dynasty set in 15th-century Florence.
The cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Richard Madden, Sean Bean, Sarah Parish and Daniel Sharman.
Stephen says it was a real honour to get the part.
“As big as we know Leonardo is throughout the art world, he has a special place in Italy’s heart. The fact that the series is also going to be shown in Italy created an added pressure. People were very wary of some Irish fella turning up and playing one of the most famous Italians ever! He’s so famous over there that they just refer to him as Leonardo-like Elvis!” he says.
Stephen adds: “Another aspect that I found challenging was the fact that Leonardo had educated himself extremely well in all subjects of the word. Mostly art, mechanics and anatomy. To talk as quickly and in as much detail as my character was a challenge. He’s a lot more knowledgeable about things than I am, which isn’t hard!” he added.
Stephen says the filming locations were amazing.
“We started filming in September last year in Rome and then in Tuscany. I visited Florence and Da Vinci, a village outside of Florence where Leonardo was born and where he gets his name, to get some insight into environmental influences that may have been at play in his psyche. I aspire to one day be known as simply Stephen Of Greenisland!” he laughs.
Stephen says his filming finished in December and it is likely to be the beginning of 2020 before series three is ready for broadcast.
“Although we shoot in many stunning locations, they have to fill in the backgrounds with CGI when we are outdoors, which can take a while. But it makes for a mesmerising show at the end,” he adds.
Stephen recently appeared in the third series of Sky 1’s blockbuster drama, Stan Lee’s Lucky Man – Sky1’s highest rated original drama series.
Stephen has also been on local cinema screens recently having starred in the independent movie ‘Zoo’. He played the role of the zoo’s vet.
Stephen is married to the actress and comedian Wendy Wason, who is a regular Blame Game guest. Wendy has written and performed several one woman shows in Los Angeles, Miami and at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival and Soho Theatre in London. They live in North London with their three children.