Ray Winstone says he once confronted a director after watching what was supposed to be a simple scene demonstration turn into something he believed crossed a line with his female costar.
The 69-year-old actor recalled that he was preparing for a scene in which he had to pick up the actress when the director stepped in to demonstrate the movement. “But he was groping her,” Winstone told The Times.
Winstone said he immediately told the filmmaker, “Don’t you dare do that,” adding that the director had “abused his power” and “took advantage.” He finished that part of the story with a less specific explanation: “Anyway, it was dealt with.”
He did not name the director, actress, production or when the incident occurred. The account emerged during a broader interview about his nearly five decades in the business as Winstone prepares to return as Bobby Glass in the second season of Netflix’s The Gentlemen.
Winstone Says the Director Was Supposed to Demonstrate a Scene
Winstone described the incident as beginning with an ordinary piece of direction. He was supposed to lift his costar, and the filmmaker wanted to physically demonstrate what he expected Winstone to do.
According to Winstone, the demonstration went further than that. He described the director as “groping” the actress and said she was “a good kid” who appeared “a little lost.” His account makes clear that he believed the person directing the film was taking advantage of the authority that came with the job.
Variety’s report on the interview did not identify either person or connect the incident to a particular production. Entertainment Weekly likewise reported that Winstone declined to name the film.
‘It Was Dealt With’ Does Not Mean Winstone Said He Hit the Director
Winstone’s phrase “it was dealt with” prompted a follow-up about what that meant. He spoke more generally about how misconduct was sometimes handled on sets earlier in his career.
He said that if there was a “wrong ’un” around, crew members such as riggers or electricians might step in. Winstone added that he had done so himself in other situations, taking someone aside either to “give them a slap” or tell them firmly to behave. He described physical confrontation as something he had done before, then added, “But it’s a different world today.”
Winstone Returns as Bobby Glass in The Gentlemen on Sept. 3
The interview arrives days before Winstone returns to one of his current tough-guy roles. Netflix’s The Gentlemen begins its second season Sept. 3, with Winstone again playing incarcerated crime boss Bobby Glass alongside Theo James as Eddie Horniman and Kaya Scodelario as Susie Glass.
Netflix says the new season picks up a year after Eddie and Susie joined forces in Bobby’s criminal operation. Eddie is trying to expand the business while Bobby’s increasingly questionable decisions put new pressure on their relationship.
The streamer has already renewed The Gentlemen for a third season, announcing the pickup before Season 2’s premiere. Guy Ritchie remains the series creator and directs alongside Eran Creevy and Nick Rowland.
Winstone also joked in his Times interview about realizing that he is now playing “the old boy” other characters think they need to look after. Asked whether that meant he planned to slow down, his answer was considerably simpler: “Well, you’ve got to pay the taxman, haven’t you?”