Timothy Spall talks about his critically acclaimed performance in, Mr Turner

Timothy Spall in, Mr Turner

Timothy Spall is on a roll! The veteran British actor won the best actor prize  at Cannes for his role as artist J.M.W Turner in his latest film, Mr Turner and was just named the best actor by the New York film critics. There is no doubt that we will be hearing his name called once again when Oscar nominations are announced in January 2015.  Spall is absolutely brilliant as eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner who lives his last 25 years with gusto and secretly becomes involved with a seaside landlady, while his faithful housekeeper (Dorothy Atkinson) bears an unrequited love for him. The film is directed by Mike Leigh, a frequent collaborator of Spall's and a good friend.  Spall spent years with Leigh researching Turner to fully embody the artist - a man Spall describes as an "eccentric genius".

I had the opportunity to chat with Timothy Spall via satellite about his amazing transformation and how he prepared to play Mr. Turner.