Once upon a time in far off internet history (last month), a smitten tweeter raised a question: if you could cast Richard Armitage as a character in a book, who would that be?
There were the excellent but highbrow suggestions such as Heathcliffe in Wuthering Heights. This would tickle me pink because the 1939 version starred my mother’s lifelong crush, the great Lord Laurence Olivier. Somebody suggested he should be Mr. Darcy in yet a new Pride and Prejudice but personally I think Pride and Predjudice has been done to death. It’s time for something more modern yet historical, just as romantic but raunchier.
My suggestion is the knight Sir Nicolas Stafford in A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux. I read this book roughly 20 years ago at an age when bodice rippers appealed to my youthful sensibilities. This is a bodice ripper of sorts but a charming twist. It’s a romantic historical fantasy which our hapless heroine, Dougless Montgomery (how’s that for a British name) weeps atop of the tomb of the long dead Sir Nicolas and he comes to life before her. The rest of the novel follows their adventure of sending him back to his time, 1564, and then in a twist, how to get Dougless back to her time in the 20th century. There is much intrigue and skulduggery as Nicolas and Dougless figure out how to save each others’ destinies.
This book is romantic and a bit fantastic but it reads like the ultimate chick book. What woman wouldn’t like this type of fantasy especially with a tall, dark, good looking blue eyed royal hunk challenging them? When I first read this book many years ago, I wondered who could play this part. No name readily came to mind until I beheld Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne. Ladies, the description of Sir Nicolas is Season 3 Sir Guy when he returned from Prince John’s Red Door Resort and Spa. Exactly. Sir Nicolas has many opportunities to be bare chested, and well, – bare. Aside from that, there is an intriguing plot, clever repartee and in the hands of RA and an actress with whom he had chemistry, the story would sizzle.
Dear Reader, RA was born to play this role. I envision the book made by an independent studio and released as the sleeper of the season. In the right hands, the adaption would be fabulous. So, I strongly suggest you get a copy of this book and see for yourself. Even if you normally dislike potboilers, bodice rippers, and sappy romances, I assure you this story is a cut above; you will enjoy this entertaining and engaging book.
Dougless is confused about who is her Mr. Right. Take a look at newcomer’s Gratiana’s blog who asks: which one of RA’s characters would you consider Mr. Right? It promises to be an interesting discussion.
Can you picture Richard Armitage as a 16th century knight? I knew you could. Courtesy richardarmitagenet.com
Oooo! Good idea! I too liked this book and it wasn’t as long ago as 20 years either! I still enjoy a good bodice ripper and Jude Deveraux’s were some of the best. (I am not as fond of her newest offerings though.)
That story was very memorable because it was (I believe) her first venture into the time-travel genre. It was I agree, rather simplistic, but it is the author’s way with humour and her feisty leading ladies that I enjoy, not to mention always a dishy heroic type (who usually manages to get rescued by the lady)!
Phylly, I agree with your description. It’s because the story is simplistic with tongue firmly in cheek, that the story works. Take into account the description *is* RA, and casting for this would be a no brainer. Just wonder who should play Dougless.
Hi Judiang!
Yes! Richard needs a small little project in between The Hobbit film releases. Waiting until December 2012 to see him in anything would be sheer torture. And your bodice ripper suggestion sounds intriguing. Richard does so well with the swash and buckle roles–like Guy and Porter, exuding male confidence and an over abundance of testosterone quite nicely.
I love that these roles seem to contrast with Richard’s more sedate and gentlemanly persona when we see him in interviews–he’s more John Thornton and Harry Kennedy then. Ha!
By the way, thanks for the “plug” to my blog about seeking Mr. Right. That’s awfully nice of you.
Cheers! Gratiana ;->
Ever time I think about this I wish I was in show business. This book really needs to be optioned. I think it’s smaller indie movies that can really break British actors. Well, in RA’s case because the Hobbit, add more prestige. This makes the perfect romcom, don’t you think?
As for you blog, I believe in paying it forward. 🙂
I don’t know if you want more suggestions BUT …
Michael Mompellion in Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (yes I know she is an Australian (or used to be, I think she lives in US now) and so I WOULD be recommending this wouldn’t I? But …
It’s a book about the plague (not a koala in sight).
Mompellion is hot (of course) and tortured. The heroine of the story is gutsy. And did I mention there was plague. PLUS it’s based on “realish” events about a town that was really quarrantined.
And did I mention she is Australian?????????????
Oh a tortured character not unlike Sir Guy? I’ll have to look up that book. She being Australian, I know you’re not biased or anything. 😉
What a universe of unregenerate romantics we are are! (And no apologies from anyone – please!) I also moved to the bodice-rippers, when I’d read all the good “Gothic novelist-cum-mystery” writers, and historical novels were transformed to heaving bosoms… As for time-travel! Judiang, I’d just begun notes for a “What role do you want to see RA play”! Will just dive in here instead. 😀
1. William Monk, from the Anne Perry mystery series.
2. The actor I’ve searched for since reading Anya Seton’s Katherine at 14 – John of Gaunt!
Especially John of Gaunt. With Cate Blanchett as Katherine…
Now off to Gratiana’s blog. May I come back later for more plugs for Gaunt? 😀
Oh yes! I love Anne Perry’s Monk. Now that’s another tortured character. And he also has a love he’s not aware of loving. Good choice.
I read Anya Seton’s Green Darkness about the fateful Stephen and Celia when I was 13 and it left an impression on me every since. Never read Katherine or John of Gaunt. Need to put that on my list. Thanks for sharing and plug away! 🙂
Richard Armitage can rip my bodice any time 🙂
I ran into a novel recently that I thought he would be good in — Leslie Tentler’s Midnight Caller. The male protagonist’s name is Trevor Rivette, and he has a troubled past, is a CIA agent, and saves the female protagonist. Nothing really interesting about the book at all but I read it and thought “this could be Richard Armitage.” Unfortunately he’d have to do New Orleans, and white New Orleans native is a hard accent to crack.
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll put that on my list. I love stories based in New Orleans because they present such a rich culture. Alas, I doubt RA can do a Nawlins accent; he needs to work on a general American one first.
RA is a perfect fit, I agree. I read this book recently on your recommendation and it was much more enjoyable having a go-to
Guyguy to play the part of Sir Nicolas in my imagination. 😛But this was a gentler nice Guy, as he goes, with more polish and breeding. But yes, I envision Guy as well. Glad you enjoyed the book. 🙂
John of Gaunt, in Anya Seton’s Katherine; third son of Edward III; immensely rich, immensely tall, handsome Plantagent. Golden-haired, though. But the real Gaunt probably wasn’t… Katherine Swynford, commoner and daughter of an obscure knight of Hainault, was his mistress for twenty years. Gaunt married her after the death of his third wife. Their four children were the Beauforts, ancestors by their marriages, to Henry VII (first Tudor). Seton’s novel is just barely pre-bodice-ripper, and incredibly romantic. Gaunt is complex, haunted by frustrated military endeavours, and the rumour of having been a changeling. He proves irresistible to Katherine, sweeping her off her feet. Etc. etc which is always good….
Ok, you’ve convinced me. Must read these books. 🙂
Oh yes fitzg — good one! I read that book at about the same age as you did and I totally fell for John of Gaunt. That book really sparked my interest in the British Royal lineage. Luckily my family had several books about Kings and Queens of Great Britain since my Mom was always a monarchist.