No-one else in my family was in the business,
although my mum believed in me too.
Which of your characters has had the best
wardrobe? Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret, who
I played onstage in the West End in 2007.
The director Rufus Norris took a chance on
me, an unknown. It was the most special
job I’ve ever done because of that –
because I got my dream. And I got to wear
the costume – the double-breasted suit, the
braces, the overcoat, the homburg hat...
...and the worst? I played a peasant in
Maleficent and essentially wore a sack.
What is the most outrageous outfit you
have worn? It’s a tie between the outfit
I wore for 300: Rise Of An Empire when
I played a decapitated Greek marine –
seriously, that was my character’s name.
I wore bondage-type gear and got my
head cut off by Eva Green. Then,
when I did Kiri, I wore Speedos in
one scene then nothing in the next.
I actually found the Speedos more
outrageous than nudity. It’s almost
impossible to pull Speedos off
unless you’re a swimmer. I was
more comfortable naked.
Tell us about Joe Kallisto in Deep
Water? Joe’s a family man, a taxi driver,
content with his lot, who’s been married to
Lisa (Anna Friel) for 15 years. It’s nice to
play someone so comfortable in his own
skin. Shot in the Lake District, I get to dress
in big check shirts, jeans and wax jackets.
Some of the scenes are played around the
kitchen table with our three kids and when
we filmed, my own daughter Teddy was nine
months old, so I liked that aspect. Becoming
a father changes your perspective on life
and I could bring that to the role, although
I found it hard being away on location.
Has your attitude to fashion changed since
becoming a dad? A bit. I don’t like shopping
as much – I’d rather spend the time with
Teddy. Then again, when she grows up
I want to be a well-dressed dad, so perhaps
I haven’t changed that much.
What do you wear on the red carpet?
Usually a three-piece suit designed by
Edinburgh tailor Stewart Christie. I’ve also
worn the kilt he made for my wedding.
Are you a fan of vintage? I am, but now
I don’t have the time to search for it.
How many pairs of shoes have you? About
10, including a couple of pairs of Converse.
I like good-quality shoes or boots by Joseph
Cheaney and Cole Haan.
Do you have a fashion pet hate? Guys in
three-quarter length trousers. Sandals with
socks – another no-no.What is the most expensive item in your
wardrobe? And best bargain? My wedding
outfit is the most expensive, but apart from
that, my Belstaff leather jacket, which I bought
in 2011 when I was filming Lip Service. I had
an extra week’s filming so treated myself,
but it was still half price. The best bargain?
The plain grey H&M sweater I bought for 10
quid. I wear it all the time.
What is the oldest item in your wardrobe?
A blue and white shirt from Flip, which
I bought when I was 20 – 19 years ago.
What is your favourite fashion accessory?
My Tag Heuer watch.
What did you wear for your wedding? A kilt
made from ancient Ulster District tartan by
Stewart Christie, who made me a pair of
trousers to go with the jacket. My wife wore
a stunning ivory dress by Badgley Mischka
from Opus Atelier in West Kilbride. We got
married in the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow.
Have you made any fashion faux pas? I was
guilty of peacocking in my twenties and
bought a multicoloured textured rubber shirt.
I remember thinking it was both horrific and
brilliant and that I’d get a bit of attention in
it, which I did. So yes, bad in a good way.
What would you save from a burning
house? Probably the Tag Heuer Monaco
watch my wife bought me when we married.Deep Water is on Wednesday at 9pm on ITV.S MAGAZINE ★ 11 AUGUST 2019 33
FASHION
PHOTOGRAPHS: TESSA HALLMAN / GROOMING: MIN SANDHU AT CAROL HAYES USING RODIAL SKINCARE AND BUMBLE & BUMBLE HAIRSteven relaxes in
a blue jacket
from NN07 at Mr
Porter, a yellow
sweater from
Unrecorded in
Amsterdam and
his Bldwn
Kansas
jeansRight: He
loves
sweaters
like this
pink wool
Howlin’
number,
the yellow
jumper from
A Day’s
March
and his
Boss knitAbove: These brightly
patterned Argyles are
by Happy SocksLeft: His Joseph Cheaney
leather boots pictured with the
Tag Heuer Monaco watch that
was a gift from his wife
Kahleen on their wedding dayAbove: One of the actor’s
most expensive purchases is
this Belstaff jacket. The shirt,
from Flip, is his oldest itemLeft: He is
a fan of
Kilmarnock
FC and is
proud to
sport his
club’s shirt
and tieRight: “The film
changed my life
and he signed
it for me,” says
Steven about
this tee with
Ted Neeley,
who took the
title role in
Jesus Christ
Superstar●S