A week after British actor Ben Barnes got back home to Los Angeles, where he is based, the California governor issued a statewide stay-at-home order (on March 19) to help combat the spread of Covid-19. Since then, the 38-year-old actor has been staying put, obeying the order.
He told StarLifestyle via a telephone interview: “I was in Budapest, Hungary, for six months shooting a new TV show (upcoming Netflix series Shadow And Bone), and just got home. I've been following this order for almost three weeks now, just being extra cautious... And so, yeah, this is where I am.”
Barnes, who was last seen in the Netflix series The Punisher and previous seasons of HBO's Westworld, got in touch with us to talk about his new show, Gold Digger, set to premiere on BBC First (unifiTV Ch 481) on April 17, also available on BBC Player.
In it he plays a mysterious man who falls for a 60-year-old wealthy woman (Julia Ormond). Her family however, believes his intent is far from honourable.
When asked how he has been spending his days staying home, Barnes answered: “Obviously I'm very lucky to be in my own home and have enough food, and all that. But I've got lots of friends who are doctors in the UK and working in intensive care units, performing surgeries and things like that at the moment.
"So, I've been talking to them and, trying to be encouraging. Obviously, it gives me a good perspective... doctors, pharmacists and people who work in supermarkets or wherever during this pandemic, are the (real-life) heroes."
On a lighter note, he added: “I've been practising my piano and recording songs, just for myself and occasionally for my Instagram. I've been catching up on reading books, which I haven't been doing in so many months because I've been reading scripts instead.
"And I've been watching a lot of TV shows, and doing DIY around the house – fixing things, doing a bit of painting of a room, changing light bulbs and all those little things which give you a little bit delight that you’ve accomplished something in the day.”
This @carole_king song always makes me feel calm. Stay safe up on your own roof. #stayhome #upontheroof A post shared by Ben Barnes (@benbarnes) on Mar 22,2020 at 12:09pm PDT
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