Richard Madden almost quit acting after making ‘Bodyguard’.
The 32-year-old actor found shooting the drama series – in which he played police protection officer David Budd – exhausting and it left him in an "unhappy place", so he needed to take some time out to remember why he was passionate about his career.
He said: "It really took it out of me. I didn’t get to see my friends, my family, do anything. It’s a relentless job, it’s an unhappy place.
"At the end of filming I had just gone, ‘What am I doing this for? I’m supposed to be doing the thing I love.’
"I had to take a break for a couple of months and get myself back.
"And after I did get myself back a bit in my head, then you’re like, ‘OK.’ "
But Richard realised the struggle had been worth it when he saw the first edits of the show.
He is quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying: "Then seeing the rough cuts coming through of it, I was like, ‘This is something I’m really proud of actually.’ "
‘Bodyguard’ – which also starred Keeley Hawes – was initially planned to be a one-off drama, but following its huge success, a second season was commissioned and Richard recently teased that producers are planning to "create something different" although his "fascinating" character will still be "part of the story".
He said: "We hadn’t intended to make a second one but the character is so fascinating.
"We want to create something different and do justice to season one. I will be part of the story. I want it to be as exciting as season one and to show something new."
Richard Madden nearly quit acting
