First and foremost, it was the pedigree that came with the script.
It wasPeter Kosminsky, who is such a legend when it comes to British television drama.
I think he’s won more BAFTAs than anyone else.
You’re part of a great cast.
What was it like working with this team?
Oh, I love them.
It was really cool.
On one hand, you’ve gotHannah [Khalique-Brown], who’s brand new and hungry and amazing.
Then you’ve got people like Alex Jennings and Mark Rylance, who I look up to enormously.
It was a really good ensemble.
Everybody was a delight, very professional.
Peter is an incredible actor’s director.
He’s really at pains to make his actors comfortable and give them the best environment.
What was it like returning to something office-based like this?
This is the first time I’ve done anything on [British TV] since “Spaced.”
It’s my return to connection TV in a way.
It was always looked down on a little bit, particularly from the cinematic perspective.
My uncles worked in it I never was allowed to know what they did.
They weren’t allowed to tell me what they did.
This place, which had always been a part of my life …
I’ve seen people talking about a potential second season.
Do you have any thoughts on that?
I’d love to.
It would be wonderful.
When I first got it, I presumed it was a limited series.
I presumed it was a one-off.
Basically, [director] Peter [Kosminsky] was hedging his bets and doing both.
Providing it goes down well on Peacock which I’m really hoping it will then we’ll do more.
I’d be absolutely delighted to get back together with those guys.
Is there anything you haven’t done that you are desperate to do next?
I want to do some theater.
I find it challenging, and it makes me very happy.
Are there any dream collaborators that you’d love to work with that you haven’t yet?
Yeah a lot of my movie heroes, Paul Thomas Anderson or Quentin Tarantino or the Coen brothers.
Thankfully, those people keep appearing.
Hopefully they will, as long as I’m working.
You’ve directed some shorts and you’ve done a lot of writing.
Are we going to see more directing in your future, maybe a feature length?
I love the idea of actually being with something from its inception to its completion.
But to be there from beginning to end is something I’m really excited about.
“The Undeclared War” premieres onPeacockon Thursday, August 18, with all six episodes dropping at once.
This interview was edited for clarity.
