Interview by Tina Lofthouse for Time & Leisure
The Downton Abbey and Paddington star on coming to Barnes for the London Children’s Literature Festival – and how his childhood helped shape his own book…
In June, Barnes Green will once again host the London Children’s Literature Festival, bringing together some of the finest children’s authors and illustrators. Among them is a relative newcomer – Hugh Bonneville, who has been making waves with his debut children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room.
While much of the book feels wildly imaginative, some of its most surprising elements are rooted in real life. Hugh recalls an extraordinary childhood moment: “This was back in the day when circuses had animals and when it was in town, some of the kids from the circus came to school on the back of an elephant, which was of course the most exotic thing we’d ever seen in South East London.”
“In my story, it’s slightly different because the circus is actually rehoming its animals quite rightly. But nevertheless, Donna the Elephant does come with Evie, one of the circus kids and a couple of their friends, to the school. And that’s where the initial tension between the kids at the school starts, but also where their friendship begins.”
Adds Hugh: “Funnily enough, some of the more far-fetched events in the story are true and the ones you think would be true are not. There really was a lady on my street who ended up under siege on her roof because she was having a pot shot at various cats and the police had to get involved.”
His book initially came out in October and has now been released in paperback – it has been well received and he is looking forward to connecting with readers in person at the festival. “That’s been the really fun part of writing children’s books – just engaging with children’s imaginations. I’ve really enjoyed going into schools and to festivals and chatting to children about what makes them tick and the joy of storytelling.”
Despite his growing reputation as an author, younger audiences often know him best as Mr Brown from the Paddington films. Hugh is well aware of where loyalties lie. “I know that after 20 minutes talking about Rory Sparkes and all my characters the first question is always ‘where’s Paddington?’ so I have to explain that it’s marmalade day and that he’s at home chopping oranges. But it’s lovely that youngsters are so engaged with that character who’s so beloved.”
The popularity of the films has also helped rekindle interest in the books. “The real pleasure has been the delight of seeing young people get into the stories. Anything that takes children back to reading, which has declined so much over the last decade, is great.”
Hugh is keen to keep that momentum going and even involves his readers in shaping future adventures. His next book draws inspiration from tunnels beneath Blackheath, once used by smugglers. After sharing the idea with schoolchildren, he asked them to imagine where Rory might end up if he ventured inside and suggestions ranged from a kitchen to another planet.
A third instalment is already planned. At the heart of Rory’s appeal, Hugh believes, is a balance of strengths and vulnerabilities. “I think back to myself at that age, and I had a degree of apparent confidence, but I was a nervous lad underneath. And you’re always trying to sort of fit in: your gang, your school, your home environment.”
“You ask what is your place in the world from an early age. We can be self-conscious, we can excel at some things. Rory is not great at sport, I wasn’t great at sport, but he’s got a vivid imagination and he’s a good-hearted guy and wants to help others.”
That sense of kindness is central, echoing the gentle moral compass of Michael Bond’s creation Paddington. “Rory ultimately sees that being kind gets you on better in the world than putting up barriers to people… Paddington also has this great sense of compassion and kindness. He never sets out to do anything with the malice of forethought… so I think we can all identify with that.”
Hugh’s own childhood reading shaped him. Among his favourites were The Chronicles of Narnia, Stig of the Dump and, of course, the Paddington stories. “They were the first stories that I could read for myself. And I remember taking great pride in saying, no, I don’t need anyone to read this to me, I can do it now.”
His early love for reading steers his advice to parents today. “I cherished it hugely as a kid… my father was a very busy surgeon and always took time to find 15 minutes to sit down and breathe out at the end of the day and share that time. It’s difficult today because we all get torn in different directions, but if parents can resist just handing over the iPad… making that time together to reconnect is invaluable.”
He talks of his childhood with affection, initially living in Christchurch Road in East Sheen and spending much of his childhood exploring Richmond Park. “I used to love going there on adventures and climbing in trees, hiding in ferns and playing ambush. I also loved the river and the theatre in Richmond.”
He was soon to tread the boards himself, joining the National Youth Theatre, but he didn’t consider it could be a career option. “I never believed in my teens that I could do it as a profession… so getting my equity card 40 years ago was one of the proudest moments of my career.”
That career has since included one of television’s most iconic roles: Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton Abbey. Hugh believes the show’s appeal lay in its characters and underlying optimism. “When I first read the script, I was interested in the characters… they all had individual voices. I wanted to know what happened next.”
He says of its creator Julian Fellowes: “He writes from a default position that people try to be good. And I think there is an underlying goodwill in the show… there was a sense of community underneath it that people related to and cared about.”
Would he have liked to live in that era? “I don’t know. In many ways, no, because of the technology and the advances that we’ve made, but in many ways, yes, also because of the technology and the advances we’ve made. A telephone call used to be a treasured thing. You took pleasure in composing your thoughts for a letter. Now everything is so instant that you wonder, do we actually say what we mean or do we just jettison words for the hell of it?”
So, what were Hugh’s thoughts on his character? “On the one hand, he was slow to judge, on the other, he had this rashness of temper, but I found that actually quite funny, and I liked him being a bit slow on the uptake sometimes. But eventually, I did say to Julian that Robert’s IQ seems to be going down!”
Hugh’s characters have run from Bernie in Notting Hill to Ian Fletcher in Twenty Twelve which won a British Comedy Award and a BAFTA for Best Comedy. Fletcher was back for three seasons of W1A, a series about life at the BBC and on our screens again recently as Director of Integrity for a major international football tournament in Twenty Twenty Six.
His favourite part to play? Mr Pooter from The Diary of a Nobody. “I just really adored him… it’s a very simple, humble story but I absolutely adored it. However, I reserve the right to change my mind all the time about my favourite character.”
Recently, Hugh returned to the stage in Shadowlands, portraying C. S. Lewis in the West End, a role he has played before. With another book underway and new projects on the horizon, he remains characteristically grounded about ambition. “It’s just to get the next job. That’s all. As actors, we’re working on the cab-rank principle… so I’m just looking forward to the next job.”
Quickfire with Hugh Bonneville
Hugh wrote his memoir Playing Under the Piano, in October 2022. His dream day off is a hike on the South Downs and a pub lunch. He is a patron of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, among several others. He has one son, Felix, 24. Hugh divorced in January 2025 and his partner is Heidi Kadlecova, a former teacher.
We asked Hugh…
Who or what inspires you?
“Anyone who has a passion for what they do… I love seeing passion at work.”
Favourite country to travel to?
“Probably Italy… each time I go, I’m wowed by its variety and its food and its culture.”
Favourite view?
“From the top of the South Downs.”
Favourite food?
“Pad Thai. Simple.”
Favourite item that you own?
“A Cross Pen that my mum gave me for my 40th birthday.”
Film and book of all time?
“Film… I often return to My Life as a Dog, a 1985 Swedish drama directed by Lasse Hallström. Book… A Tale of Two Cities. I just think it’s an incredible adventure.”
