Brendan Coyle: Farewell Downton Abbey, Hello Spotless and More!

Mind Your Body with Stephanie Stephens features celebrities and high achievers age 45+ who share their latest projects, healthy living secrets and more.

Brendan Coyle is known and loved as John Bates, the valet in the iconic PBS series, Downton Abbey. Now he’s off and running in Esquire Network’s first original scripted series, Spotless, premiering Nov. 14, with him cast as mob boss Nelson Clay. Esquire calls it “a sexy and bold one-hour drama laced with dark humor and set in London.” And it appears to be just that.

If you can’t watch the first show this week, you can watch the premiere episode here, plus you can catch a cut of Brendan “behind the scenes.” And get even more insights on this YouTube channel. Yes, he plays a very different character than fans may be used to, but that is the challenge and joy of being an accomplished actor.

When Downton Abbey returns January 3 next year, fans will accept—not willingly—that it’s the final season. It debuted on PBS in 2011 and has become the most-watched drama in PBS history, with more than 25.5 million viewers watching Season 5.

A man of many talents and characters, Brendan is not looking back—nor has he had time to. His career continues at rocket speed, as he adds to more than 50 film and TV credits such as North & South, Conspiracy and Lark Rise to Candleford. He’s an accomplished stage actor, too, and he shares thoughts about all of it here, including news of some of his latest projects.

Brendan, before we get to your wonderfulness as an actor, let’s talk about life and health.

Food. We like it and we eat it. How do you “eat healthy”?

I’m very conscious of my diet, which is usually high protein, low carb. I like to cook and experiment—I have more than 100 cookbooks. I cook whatever is in season, and really enjoy doing that in my home on the east coast of Norfolk [U.K.] I eat salads and make homemade granola, mixed with fruit and almonds. I eat well.

Norfolk: How beautiful! Paradise, in fact. You must really enjoy being there.

I do, and I live a 10-minute walk from the coast. I rent a place in London, but I come to Norfolk for the last six weeks of the year. In December I build a wood fire in the stove, and take winter walks on the beach and on the coastal path.

What’s your workout or physical activity routine? You’re a tall guy: Ever played any basketball or netball? How about football?—(We, of course, call it soccer here.)

I used to play football all the time, but it’s very risky business. When I’m under contract for work, I can’t play contact sports. And I haven’t been able to ski for a long time for the same reason. I do like to cycle in London and Norfolk. I go to the gym and swim—and when I’m getting ready for a job, I’ll be at the gym to shape up.

What’s your secret to staying mentally balanced and keeping moods in control?

I leave the job behind when I’m finished and try not to bring work home with me. I love to go to theater and cinema and I do meditate a bit.

So, Julian Fellowes, writer and creator of Downton Abbey says you’re “cuddly and dangerous”—in person. How do you feel about that?

It’s nice to be given a choice of being either cuddly or dangerous.

What’s been your favorite acting experience thus far and why?

It was very satisfying to play Brendan in The Weir, written by Conor McPherson [at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London. Brendan received a Laurence Olivier Award in 1999 for his performance and a New York Critics Theater World Award in 2001]. Then there was Philadelphia, Here I Come…

Most recently, it’s Spotless. The series has played in Europe already, and it’s getting a great response—many Americans have already seen it.

So Spotless is a comedy, thriller and drama. That’s a bit of a landmark opportunity isn’t it—a “first” series on a network? And it’s been compared to Dexter and Breaking Bad. Do you agree?

It’s highly unique, and sometimes it can be dark. I love those two shows you just mentioned, and I’m very wary of making a comparison. Spotless really is original and has one of my favorite television writers, Ed McCardie. The dialogue is sparkling, intelligent and it’s all well plotted. It does contain that level of madness, high stakes, violence and people doing extraordinary things in extraordinary circumstances.

How does it feel to say “bye-bye” to Bates the valet and “howdy” to mob boss Nelson Clay in Spotless?

The “goodbye” exists mainly in the minds of the audience. Downton Abbey has been a very successful show indeed. I’ve been around the block a few times, and have said goodbye to amazing characters. When you’re working, that doesn’t leave much time to be nostalgic and sentimental when it’s over. I’ve been doing other jobs in Europe and Toronto.

Last year we filmed Spotless on Sundays, and by the time I was home, I really didn’t want to watch myself. I haven’t seen the last two seasons of Downton—but I will catch up. It’s been such an amazing ride and I am very grateful.

What else have you been doing (that you can tell)?

I shot a holiday special for The Artful Detective (in Canada, Murdoch Mysteries) with veteran actor Ed Asner and with Kelly Rowan. I also did 12 Monkeys [to return in April 2016 on Syfy.]

One of your other new projects is the Irish historical film, The Rising. You play Augustine Birrell, an English politician and British chief secretary for Ireland.

It’s a fantastic script. The film is set to premiere in February to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Dublin Easter Rising.

What philanthropic causes do you care about?

I have to say it’s the Christina Noble Foundation which helps children in Vietnam and Mongolia. [Brendan played Gerry Shaw in the movie, Noble, released in 2014.]

I’ve also set up a small production company, Anderson Shelter Productions, that helps find talented young filmmakers and then helps fund their short films. We know that with limited arts funding, it’s becoming more difficult to raise funds for the next generation of artists.

Thanks for all, Brendan. Enjoy your holidays and we’ll be seeing you SOON in new places. 

Stephanie Stephens is certain that age 45+, the best time of our lives is now! So what are we waiting for? She writes, produces, and hosts her multimedia channel, Mind Your Body TV,  featuring timely health and lifestyle blogs, podcasts, and videos—also seen on YouTube and syndicated by AOL/On.