"When I read that script the character scared me a bit," Mahershala Ali says of his forthcoming role as world-renowned pianist Dr. Don Shirley.

The actor, who picked up a best supporting actor Oscar for his role in Moonlight in 2016, was at Esquire Townhouse on Saturday to speak about his career thus far and upcoming performances in Green Book and the third season of True Detective.

"The spirit of it is very small and intimate," Ali said of Green Book which recalls the true story of the unlikely bond Shirley formed with his driver, Tony Lip, played by Viggo Mortensen.

Oliver Holms

Ali also discussed other career highlights including the significance of the emotional scene in Moonlight where a young Chrion asks Juan if he is gay. "That's the scene that terrifies you," Ali said, adding that it was the "scene we collectively had to get right."



Oliver Holms

In January next year he will release True Detective 3, a project he admits he has only seen a few finished episodes of so far, but does divulge that the "finale episode if the best piece of television I've read in my life."

Mahershala Ali was in conversation at Esquire Townhouse with Breitling. Check out the full event here.

'Green Book' is released 1 February 2019

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