Actor Bill Nighy discusses his new film '& Sons', his transition from aspiring writer to performer, and his approach to life and work at 76.
Key facts
- •Bill Nighy’s character in '& Sons' is an emotionally absent father who believes his literary talent justifies his behavior.
- •Nighy has a daughter, actor-director Mary Nighy, with his former partner Diana Quick.
- •His performance in the 2022 film 'Living' earned him his only Oscar nomination to date.
- •As a teenager, Nighy worked at the hunting and fishing magazine 'The Field', where his duties included changing roller towels.
- •Nighy cites Steve McQueen and Prince as personal heroes who influenced his perspective on performance and style.
Actor Bill Nighy stars as a reclusive, abrasive novelist in the film '& Sons', which features a plot twist involving science fiction elements. Nighy plays the patriarch AN Dyer, who summons his estranged family for a dramatic announcement. The film also stars Johnny Flynn, George MacKay, and Imelda Staunton.
By the numbers
Personal preferences and work habits
At 76, Nighy has established clear boundaries for his professional and personal life, including a refusal to participate in Zoom calls or working lunches. He is an enthusiastic texter who prefers specific emojis, such as the flamingo or leaping shark, over smiley faces. He also maintains a strict rule against accepting acting roles that require wearing togas.
From literary ambitions to acting
Nighy’s early life was defined by a desire to be a writer, inspired by an English teacher at age 14. He moved to Paris to pursue this dream but ultimately ended up begging on the Trocadéro. He eventually pivoted to drama school, though he notes he still procrastinates on his writing goals. His career has spanned diverse roles, from the rock star Billy Mack in 'Love Actually' to his Oscar-nominated performance in 'Living'.
Podcast success
Nighy currently hosts a podcast titled 'Ill-Advised', which serves as an advice show where he answers listener questions on topics ranging from fashion to social etiquette. The podcast, which is entering its third series, has over 300,000 monthly listeners and was named 2026 Podcast of the Year by the Broadcasting Press Guild.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Culture.
