‘Love/Hate’ actor starstruck by fellow Ifta nominees
Reacting to his nod for best actor in the television category, the Trinity graduate said it was “a great honour” to be up for a gong alongside Gabriel Byrne and Colm Meaney, who he described as “boyhood heroes of mine”.
Heaney has been nominated for his role in Hell on Wheels while Byrne has been nominated for Secret State. Vaughan Lawlor said of the chance to meet his hero: “Me and my wife are huge fans of In Treatment. That’s what we are most excited about.”
Love Hate and What Richard Did lead the way in IFTA nominations. I couldn't look past Tom Vaughan Lawlor for Best Actor.
— Feargal Hynes (@feargalhynes) January 9, 2013
Love/Hate has received a string of Ifta nominations, with Robert Sheehan, who plays Darren, also nominated for a best actor award.
A ratings smash and a critical success, Love/Hate has propelled the character of Nidge into the public consciousness but Vaughan Lawlor, who lives in London, has missed much of the hype.
“In one way it’s good because it’s so full-on,” he said. “But what other jobs do we do where people come up to you in the street and congratulate you?”
Vaughan Lawlor won a best supporting actor award last year but his intense portrayal of conflicted gang boss Nidge has pushed him centre stage — so much so that the show has even been parodied by comedian Mario Rosenstock.
The show’s profile is likely to be increased as it is shown around the world, but fans will not be getting any scraps of information about the next season, as even the actors don’t know what’s going to happen.
Taking a break from the show also its perks. “It gives me some relief,” Vaughan Lawlor joked. “I have half a full head of hair.”
