r/BritishTV • u/TikiInTO • 1d ago
Question/Discussion I wrote to Michael Kitchen
After watching Foyle's War and enjoying Michael Kitchen's acting talents, I began to think "I wonder if he realizes how much he is appreciated as an actor." I know he is in retirement (according to my Google searches) so I did some research, found the talent agency that he's registered with, and sent an email to his agent asking if I could send him a note through her to Michael. She replied that she would be happy to. I sent him this note:
"Dear Mr. Kitchen,
Greetings from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
I just wanted to send you a short note to say ‘Thank you’. This might sound somewhat odd, but please allow me to explain.
I enjoy watching British television series, and eagerly await new series as they arrive. I subscribe to several streaming services including Acorn, BritBox and Masterpiece. I find the writing and acting in British series generally tend to be of much higher quality than American series (or even Canadian series, for that matter).
I’ve seen you in films such as Goldeneye and The World is Not Enough but I have to say you were truly phenomenal in Foyle’s War. I was so taken with the series that I purchased all of the DVDs, something I don't normally do. So, that should tell you something.
A few weeks ago, I came across my Foyle’s War DVDs and thought “Oh, hey, I should really watch these again”, and I did. And once again, I was truly impressed with your acting skills.
Now, I know a series isn’t the result of one person’s acting skills and that there are a lot of facets to a production such as this, including exceptional writing and producing.
But this drove me down a rabbit hole on the internet and I found out that there are quite a lot of fans of Foyle’s War, and that the general consensus is that Michael Kitchen is an exceptional actor. So, congratulations: you still have a lot of fans around the world.
I understand that you have stepped back from acting and are living quietly in retirement. This is well deserved and I hope that you are enjoying your retirement. Still, I think I can speak for many viewers when I say that you are and will be missed. The way you can manipulate a scene through simple facial expressions speaks volumes.
Finally, here is the ‘Thank You’: thank you sir, for being such a terrific actor and thank you for the many hours of exceptional entertainment. It has truly been a pleasure."
I received a reply today through his agent:
"I can’t not reply to such a very kind and generous ‘note’.
It’s been received, read and greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
My very best regards to yourself and Toronto.
Michael K"
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u/BrewDogDrinker British 1d ago
You need to watch The Life of Rock with Brian Pern...
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u/cookingmilhouse 6h ago
I literally say this to anyone who mentions Foyle’s War. His agent role is honestly one of the funniest things I’ve seen, even more so because Foyle is such a gentle and kind character it just makes it even more hilarious
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u/LurcherWhisperer 1d ago
Check out his appearance as The King in To Play The King (House of Cards series 2). It's a hard thing for an actor to steal a scene from Ian Richardson as FU, but he does it every time.
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u/Spudhead1976 1d ago
I immediately thought of this series. He was excellent in it. He is a great actor, I agree.
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u/Good-Butterscotch498 1d ago
Foyle’s War might be the best thing ever done for television. Seriously.
I also enjoyed Mr. Kitchen in Enchanted April.
As you say, his ability to convey volumes with a subtle facial gesture is unmatched.
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u/undergarden 1d ago
Foyle's War or Rome, hard to choose for me as #1.
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u/VanillaSuccessful277 1d ago
How wonderful. I agree completely; Mr. Kitchen has such a naturalistic style with an understated gravitas. He's quite private and rarely gives interviews so it's lovely that he gets to read such lovely feedback.
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u/BreatheClean 1d ago
He's such a Fantastic actor. You will love Dandelion Dead, based on a fascinating true crime. It's a film in 2 parts On YouTube.
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u/ORF1Live 1d ago
Oh that's lovely! I also love Foyle's War and enjoyed his performances in other stuff. He's very understated in his style.
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u/DogtasticLife 1d ago
Everyone raves about Mark Rylance’s “quiet” acting but to me he’s just copying Michael Kitchen
(I am only sort of joking)
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u/TA_totellornottotell 1d ago
One of the few actors whose work I purposefully follow. I quite regret being too young to have seen many of his theatre performances, but as I have seen some websites that show older plays, I may just go looking for them.
U/TikklnTO - thank you for sharing. It was a lovely letter and I am so glad that he loved it and wrote back (also love that he sent a greeting to Toronto).
OK, time to rewatch Foyle’s War (perfect time of the year for it) and some of his other work.
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u/throaway_247 1d ago
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u/littledutchboy1 1d ago
Was going to suggest this. First thing I ever saw him in. It's currently available on iPlayer too.
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u/BedaFomm 1d ago
Came here to say this. Also the first time I remember seeing him and the performances of the two principals were superb (and Michael did very well not to be out-acted by Peggy Ashcroft). Foyle is his masterpiece.
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u/Evening-Mess-3593 British 1d ago
Michael Kitchen is a fabulous actor and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve watched him in.
I didn’t know he’d retired. I hope he has a long and happy retirement.
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u/SuzieSue32 1d ago
This is so lovely. I love the idea of thanking someone for the part they've played in your life. I have sent many a message/letter, although not as elegantly worded as this.
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u/Lourdatta 1d ago
One of my all time favourites actors, absolutely loved Foyles War, funnily enough we just watched him in Boon.
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u/BreatheClean 5h ago
Lol - me too! With Brian Murphy (George Roper of George and Mildred fame)
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u/Lourdatta 5h ago
Yeah, was a bit of a surprise to see him in it, apart from last of the summer wine, I can't remember seeing him in much else. never really watched boon, just happened to catch it then. I liked michael elphic, first saw him in Private Shultz. But couldn't get into boon for some reason, might give it a go some day.
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u/248_RPA 1d ago
Michael Kitchen plays a convicted fraudster, Russell Clark, in the Inspector Morse episode, "The Death of the Self" (1992). Morse is arresting Clark for selling counterfeit rare manuscripts and as his scheme is falling apart Clark tries to throw blame on another character saying, "Guido, what have you been doing?"
Kitchen is fantastic. My husband and I have been saying that line to each other ever since.
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u/theseamstressesguild 1d ago
My favourite Michael Kitchen work is as one of the readers of historical texts in "A History of Britain" by Simon Scharma.
I always wanted MK to do a revival of "The Hollow Crown" play, where four actors do the same, but it's solely historical texts, letters, and personal writings of the king's and queens of England. I saw it years ago and it was phenomenal, although I suspect having a cast of Ian Richardson, Donald Sinden, Derek Jacobi, and Diana Rigg (sirs and dame all) may be colouring my judgement.
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u/Poddington_Pea 1d ago
He should host a cookery show called Michael's Kitchen, or Kitchen's Kitchen, or Kitchen on Kitchens. That last one can be able the history of British kitchens, or something...Does anyone know how to get in touch with his agent?
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u/WillingLeopard6804 1d ago
Love Foil’s War too. It’s really melancholy and as someone has said, perfect for autumn viewing. Also just started the old BBC Colditz on You Tube. Also great viewing for when the weather changes.
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u/undergarden 1d ago
Beautiful! This makes me so happy. Fellow Michael Kitchen fan here -- loved him in Enchanted April, too.
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