Bertie Carvel: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Bertie Carvel said elsewhere, not written here

Luke Skywalker, for a time. After that, I mainly wanted to have a girlfriend one day.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

Others on this question

Ian Rankin Scottish crime writer

In my teens, an accountant. In my 20s, either a rock star or a novelist.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 October 2020 source ↗

Pauline McLynn Irish character actress and author

A hairdresser – I still want to be a hairdresser.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 July 2023 source ↗

A dress designer.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 August 2026 source ↗

Michelle Dockery British actress

Many things. I remember wanting to be a vet, a ballet dancer and a hairdresser.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 January 2020 source ↗

I held my mother’s hand as she passed away.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

I’m still working on it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

Things I said in interviews.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

A continuous in-breath.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 October 2021 source ↗

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