Mark Strong reveals he believes movie cameras capture stars’ souls
The acclaimed actor has reflected on the contrasting demands of theatre and screen acting while celebrating a major awards-season recognition for his return to the stage.
Mark Strong believes movie cameras peers into actors’ souls.
The Kingsman actor, 62, made the statement as he reflected on his acclaimed return to the stage after a decade away from theatre, saying live performance continues to challenge him in ways that film and television cannot.
Mark – who is currently celebrating a Tony Award nomination for his leading role in Oedipus, Robert Icke’s modern reimagining of the Greek tragedy – told People at an event in New York: “I hadn't done a play for 10 years. The last time I was here was with A View from the Bridge, which was also Tony nominated."
“Whenever I go away and do film, it's a completely different discipline. The camera's like a microscope. It sees into your soul, your brain. There's something about live performance that’s really good.”
Along with Kingsman, Mark is widely recognised for film roles in Shazam!, Sherlock Holmes, Zero Dark Thirty and Oliver Twist, while more recent television credits include The Penguin, Dune: Prophecy and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Mark began his career on British stages, appearing in productions at The Old Vic and the National Theatre before building an international screen career.
In 2014, he starred in the West End revival of A View from the Bridge, which later transferred to Broadway.
A decade later, he returned to both London and New York in Oedipus, once again earning critical acclaim.
The production, which concluded its Broadway run at Studio 54 in February, received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Revival.
Mark and his co-star Lesley Manville reprised their performances from the original London production, with Lesley also receiving an acting nomination for her portrayal of Jocasta.
Reflecting on what draws him back to theatre, Mark said: “I reminded myself that the reason I came back was to perform for a live audience.”
He added: “There's something about every night, eight shows a week, gauging the response, gauging the vibration in the air from a live audience, that just helps you hone your craft.”
Mark also argued theatre improves his work on screen.
He said: “(It) actually helps when you go in front of a camera because that element of performance is so important for actors.”
Mark also said he enjoys alternating between stage and screen projects.
He explained: “I like mixing them. Just when I get bored of making faces for film, I like to go back on stage and test myself.
“But then once you've done a play hundreds of times, you probably feel you'd mined it, so maybe it's time to get back in front of a lens.”
Discussing audience reactions, Mark noted significant differences between British and American theatre-goers.
He said: “British audiences are quite reserved. We don't do a standing ovation every night. That's reserved for special occasions.
“On Broadway, I think people are just much more effusive. They want to let you know they're there. They're more voluble.”
Mark is next set to appear in Cry to Heaven, directed by Tom Ford, and will also star in the forthcoming Apple TV+ adaptation of Neuromancer.
The 2026 Tony Awards will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York on 7 June and will be broadcast on CBS and streamed via Paramount+.
