Jason Isaacs has quietly become a seriously big name in movies and TV in recent years, but it almost didn't happen.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Guardian, the actor claimed that the role that was supposed to break him as a massive star almost ended his career before it really started.

"I've had a good year or two, but there have been other times… I've been to Sundance with eight films, and only one of them came out," he said of his humble nature.

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"When I was in [PJ Hogan's 2003 film] Peter Pan, it was going to be gigantic. I was told it would change my life.

"Be careful, they said; make sure you've got the right people in place. Then it came out, and it was a catastrophic flop."

He continued: "It killed my film career stone dead for a while.

"It was a great lesson. Just have a great time and do the best you can. Sometimes I wish I was more famous; you have more choices as an actor when you are.

"But I tend to ask: how can I be grateful for the things I've got, rather than for the things I haven't got? Moaning is a waste of life."

After around 15 years in the industry, Jason burst into the mainstream playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies and hasn't really looked back since.

Some of his most recent roles include parts in films like The Death of Stalin and Hotel Mumbai, and TV shows including The OA and Star Trek: Discovery, where he plays Captain Gabriel Lorca.

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