Tom Hiddleston, 41, became a household name as part of the Marvel universe, playing the god of mischief, Loki. Alongside many high-profile film roles, his TV credits include The Hollow Crown and The Night Manager, for which he received two Emmy nominations. In 2021, he began starring in the Disney+ spin-off series Loki.
What was it like to make the transition from the big screen to the small screen in your first Marvel spin-off?
I was just really honoured to be asked. We all wanted to retain the integrity of the character – I wanted to make sure we didn’t lose the bits that people loved, while doing something new. I also hope Loki coming out as bisexual was meaningful to people who spotted it. It was a small step, and there’s further to go. But it was definitely important to all of us.
What would you be doing if you weren’t an actor?
I think there would be something very rewarding about teaching. I would teach drama or Shakespeare.
Have you ever been mistaken for anybody else?
I was mistaken for Michael Fassbender once in New York. The guy who stopped me was really disappointed – it was just so awkward and embarrassing. I said: “I’m sorry to let you down, let’s just both pretend this never happened.” I didn’t tell him I was an actor.
What is your TV guilty pleasure?
Blackadder. I watched it when I had my tonsils out when I was about 12 or 13 and it really cheered me up. Going back to it now, there’s that nostalgic quality.
What do you eat in front of the TV?
I don’t eat in front of the TV a lot. But a chocolate digestive with a cup of tea is a winner, especially in the winter.
If your life were a TV show, what would the title be?
Keep Calm and Carry On [laughs]. Bouncing From Here to There. Or Just Keep Swimming … that’s a line from Finding Nemo, isn’t it?
What makes you reach for the remote (to turn the TV off)?
Sometimes you just need to ration your news intake. Which isn’t to say that we don’t need to know what’s going on, but you have to have a boundary.
Who is the most famous person in your phone contacts?
The Avengers. I think they’re pretty well known?
Are you Succession’s Team Shiv or Team Tom?
I find that relationship excruciatingly painful. It’s a tough call. Do I have to choose one of them? Shiv could have been more considerate and generous to Tom, but you see how brutality is baked into the experience of that family.
• The Virgin Media Bafta TV awards are on BBC One on Sunday 8 May at 6pm. Loki is available on Disney+
