Next Step, Direct

Many high profile film actors have taken the leap behind the camera to great acclaim. Ben Affleck, Sean Penn and Clint Eastwood are just some

Many high profile film actors
have taken the leap behind the camera to great acclaim. Ben Affleck, Sean Penn
and Clint Eastwood are just some who’ve proven to have even greater skills as
directors than actors some would argue. Television actors though are no
exception. With The IT Crowd’s Richard Ayoade’s directorial debut Submarine
out this week, which other well-known TV stars have managed to do the same?

David Schwimmer

The Friends star has
made no secret of his desire to turn director, even helming a few of the
later episodes himself although his efforts on the big screen have
been rather mixed. 2007’s Run Fatboy Run showcased a decent cast
(Pegg, Moran, Azaria) but came off rather goofy than hysterically funny.
However, recently released Trust sees
Schwimmer attempting an altogether different beast in which Clive Owen and
Catherine Keener try to protect their teenage daughter from online predators.
Perhaps Ross has finally found another niche if the favourable response is
anything to do by.

Noel Clarke

The BAFTA award winning Clarke
started out in Doctor Who and Auf Wiedersehen Pet whilst
penning both Kidulthood and Adulthood, directing
the latter. His recent heist movie 4.3.2.1. set in
London earned positive reviews ensuring Clarke remained as one of the country’s
top emerging talents behind the camera. Perhaps an Affleck/Clarke
gangster/heist/cop thriller is something fans can dream of one day,
until then he’s back in front of the camera in two upcoming films.

Samantha Morton

Although best known for film work in
Minority Report and In America, Morton started out on Soldier
Soldier and Boon before Hollywood beckoned. However her solitary
directorial effort to date remains a strong and typically powerful piece of
drama. The semi-autobiographical The Unloved looked at
growing up in the Care System to widespread critical acclaim. Like Clarke,
Morton is now heading back in front of the camera again; let’s hope it’s not
too long before she goes behind it once again.

Kiefer Sutherland

Believe it or not, but Jack Bauer himself has
also ventured behind the camera for a couple of largely unremarkable films.
Certainly best known now for his TV work, Sutherland’s screen presence
cannot be underestimated. That probably explains why both Truth or Consequences N.M. and Woman
Wanted got made. Best of the pair, the former develops into a gritty drug-deal-gone-wrong
drama while the latter feels like a slightly run-of-the-mill TV relationship
movie. With the impending 24 movie close to
production, perhaps it might be best to stay in front of the camera this time
and do what you do best Kiefer.

Paddy Considine

Garnering extremely positive reviews
on the festival circuit with his new film, the star of both Red Riding and My
Zinc Bed on TV is widely recognised as one of the best British actors of his
generation. Debut directorial effort Tyrannosaur, based on a
2007 short Dog Altogether, sees Olivia Colman aim to rid
herself from an abusive husband and should cement Considine’s reputation for
continued greatness. After rumoured work on the film of Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong novel,
let’s hope news of his second effort, the ghostly-themed The Leaning isn’t just hot,
wispy air.