Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole has spoken up about his role in ITV's new drama The Ipcress File, including replacing Michael Caine as the lead.
During a webinar on the show's upcoming release, Cole said: "I saw it as a fantastic opportunity. It was just a fantastic opportunity to do something different and I try to avoid as much of Michael Caine's stuff from before and do my own thing with it."
Michael Caine starred in the original 1965 film of the same name, which is based on a book by Len Deighton.
It centres on spy Harry Palmer, who is enlisted to track down a kidnapped nuclear scientist during the cold war.
Related: Peaky Blinders' Joe Cole says it was "a no-brainer" to leave series
Cole said that he "wasn't too familiar with Harry Palmer as a character," when he was sent the material for the show but, then, he "realised what an important character he is."
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"I had a look at the book. I watched one of the films, but then I quickly realised that I just didn't want to... I wanted to put my own spin on it and didn't want to be kind of [copying him]," he continued.
"When I watched the movie, I started worrying that I was going to start trying to do a Michael Caine impersonation without actually realising I was doing it, because he is so iconic, and because he has such a presence and personality on screen."
Related: First trailer for Peaky Blinders star's new movie
Cole then decided to "erase that" from his memory and do his "own thing" with it.
The actor will be joined by Lucy Boynton, Ashely Thomas and Tom Hollander in the thriller. A trailer for the show was released in January during the premiere of ITV's Trigger Point.
Cole is best known for playing John Shelby in Peaky Blinders, and has said that his new role has positioned him as the "anti-Bond".
The Ipcress File will air on ITV tonight (Sunday March 6) at 9pm.
Freelance film & TV writer, Digital Spy
Critic and writer Jo Berry has been writing about TV and movies since she began her career at Time Out aged 18. A regular on BBC Radio, Jo has written for titles including Empire, Maxim, Radio Times, OK!, The Guardian and Grazia, is the author of books including Chick Flicks and The Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Movies.
She is also the editor of website Movies4Kids. In her career, Jo has interviewed well-known names including Beyonce, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Cruise and all the Avengers, spent many an hour crushed in the press areas of award show red carpets. Jo is also a self-proclaimed expert on Outlander and Brassic, and completely agrees that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
