Actors Emma Thompson and Olga Kurylenko say that working with Rowan Atkinson didn't make them insecure about comedy but rather enhanced their performance. By Team Viva

What attracted you to the role?

Emma Thompson: I was absolutely thrilled to play this part as it was perfect to make an impact. It’s so well written. It’s like an ideal cameo. I consider myself extremely fortunate.

What would you like to say about the plot of the film?

Emma: The premise now is that Great Britain is in serious trouble. A cyber-hacker has infiltrated Britain’s super-secret web network of spies, revealing the identities of all Britain’s agents in the field, to the dismay of the agent on duty – a regrettably small role for Kevin Eldon. It’s the last straw for a prime minister who is a pompous and embattled figure, already suffering a complete meltdown of political unpopularity. My intelligence advisers inform me that as every single active spy has been compromised. Now, I have to bring someone out of retirement. And that means bumbling Johnny English himself, now employed as a schoolmaster in some posh establishment, but giving off-the-record lessons in how to be an undercover operative: some nice gags here, as English offers a School of Rock-type academy of spying.

What do you think Johnny is more comfortable with — analogue or digital?

Emma: Being presented with a device that does everything doesn’t really seem to be a good idea for Johnny. He is used to the 007 (James Bond’s) era and its upsetting for him. He is just terribly disappointed with technology.

How would you explain Rowan’s approach to physical comedy?

Emma: Rowan is very precise about everything which is why his physical comedy is so remarkable. It’s not extemporised. He prefers following even the minutest detail. He is obsessive about it and that’s what makes him special.

Introduce your character and tell us how exciting it was to be a part of it?

Olga Kurylenko: Ophelia is a mysterious character because she comes off as a very glamorous girl hanging around and having a holiday on a yacht. Johnny has no idea what he is dealing with. Later, we realise that she is actually a spy just like him but a Russian one. She does it with a lot of glamour.

You have done a spy film in the past. How would you compare it with this one?

Olga: Johnny English Strikes Again (which recently premiered on Sony Pix) has a very nice plot. It talks about the danger that the world is facing and there are a lot of stunts and action moments in the film. The only difference between that it is just full of humour. Johnny English is as clumsy as ever and also does things really wrong which makes us crack up. So it has it everything a thriller does, including glamour. It’s just very funny.

What did you think of Rowan?

Olga: I thought that he’s a very funny and goofy guy. But he is the total opposite of what his characters have been. He is a very serious and concentrated person. He is very intelligent and works really hard at what he does. You don’t actually expect it but that’s how he is. It was lovely to be around such a gentleman who is very polite and well-spoken.

Is it difficult to just not laugh around him?

Olga: Don’t even ask me that. (Laughs) There are moments when you obviously find him funny and there were moments where I wanted to laugh but I managed not to because I have to do what I had to. There were moments when they say cut and we all just crack up because we thought, Oh my god, that was funny! The most rewarding thing is when the whole crew laughs when they cut the scene and if everybody laughs then you know you have done it right and it’s very gratifying. And of course, on the set it’s good atmosphere because apart from it being very serious, everybody is focussed at the same time. It was a good atmosphere to be in. I miss it.

It is a very different kind of comedy film. So did this help you to discover your own abilities?

Olga: Surprisingly, I feel like a fish in the water when I am doing comedy. I just love it. I have no problem in making fun of myself and that has never been an issue. I literally do not care but the thing is that nobody lets me, even though I’m involved in comedy. But then, there are scenes like, in this film, I have to be cold, so even if I try, I just have to tell myself that you have to be cold. And I think if I can be goofy. But there are moments where you can just let it go and enjoy. For instance, the dancing scene in the film, which was quite funny for me. It’s so short and yet one of my favourite scenes. Rowan is hilarious, his dance is priceless, he is like an inspiration and he loves what he does, which is why people love him.

What would you like to say on Rowan’s comedy?

Olga: Rowan’s comedy is physical and more expressive that’s why he doesn’t really need to speak. It’s not even about the writing. It could be funny or not funny but even if it is a super serious scene that he’s doing, by just looking at his face, the way he is going to move, his facial expression... everything probably makes people crack up because it’s his ability. His physicality and the facial expressions are just universal. People react to an image and he is probably the best. No one can give as amazing expressions as Rowan can.