Bruce Herbelin-Earle may be best known to audiences for his breakout role in Netflix’s Free Rein, but now he’s stepping into the sun-drenched world of 1950s Italy as Dickie Greenleaf in the first-ever UK tour of The Talented Mr Ripley.
Adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher, this new stage version of Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller promises a fresh take on a story that has captivated audiences for 70 years.
Bruce’s journey into acting began unexpectedly. “I was dragged to a drama class by one of my best friends when I was 11,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to go – I’d rather have been playing Xbox or football – but there was this teacher, Beverly Hewitt, who ruled the class with an iron fist. I was gobsmacked by how knowledgeable she was.”
That early spark led Bruce to pursue screen work, landing his first TV role at 18. “It was for Netflix, a show called Free Rein, where I played Marcus Greenbridge. He was charming and happy-go-lucky, I can’t help seeing similarities with the character of Dickie Greenleaf.”
Now, a decade later, Bruce is bringing that same charisma to the stage. “Dickie’s very charming, very affable, very gentle. He’s privileged, yes, but he’s also carrying a lot of emotional weight, especially around his mother’s illness and his decision to flee America.”
The production, which opened in Cheltenham and is now touring nationally, is an evocative staging of Highsmith’s novel. “We go from New York to a hot Italian summer using just lights and a brilliant white platform,” Bruce explains. “it gives the audience space to use their imagination.”
The role of Dickie is one Bruce is still discovering. “We’re only on our second venue, and I’ve got six months to really nail him. But I’m having so much fun figuring it out. Ed McVey and Maisie Smith are fantastic to work with, and the whole cast has great chemistry.”
That chemistry is crucial in a story where relationships are as complex as the plot. “Dickie sees Tom Ripley as a reminder of the life he left behind. At first, he wants nothing to do with him. But Marge invites Tom in, and Dickie comes around. There’s a brotherly mentorship there, Dickie wants to show Tom the world he’s built in Italy.”
But as fans of the story know, things take a darker turn. “Tom starts to overstep, becomes a bit of a leech, and Dickie doesn’t know how to get rid of him. It’s delicate. I do think they could have had a beautiful friendship, maybe even a relationship, if things had gone differently.”
The production’s design helps underscore these contrasts. “Dickie’s in beiges and terracotta, very suave, very rich. Tom’s in browns and greens, he’s a fish out of water. The costumes really show how different they are.”
Bruce’s casting came about through a serendipitous connection. “Rob Kelly, who cast me in Free Rein, recommended me to the producer. I sent in a self-tape, met Mark for tea and cake, and two weeks later we were in rehearsals. It all happened really quickly.”
Reflecting on the show’s enduring appeal, Bruce believes it’s the psychological depth that keeps audiences coming back. “Even if you know the story, it’s about how we tell it. The reactions we’re getting from audiences are so powerful.”
And for those considering a ticket? “I’d encourage grandparents to bring their teenagers. It’s got this Instagram-age, Big Brother feel to it. There’s something for everyone.”
As for that 11-year-old who didn’t want to go to drama class? “I think about it a lot. Acting is the only thing that’s ever touched my soul like this. I just hope I can keep doing it for as long as possible.”
Tour listings and ticket information can be found here
