Ed Skrein: Tough guy? I just like being at home in my slippers with a pint
He is stepping into Jason Statham’s shoes as an action hero. In real-life, however, rising star Ed Skrein says he would rather stick to a nice pair of slippers — and a pint of IPA.
The London actor, who has starred in Game Of Thrones and is set to appear in several high-profile films over the next six months, prefers staying at home to attending parties and says his most important role is as a father.
His upcoming movies include Marvel’s latest superhero project Deadpool, starring Ryan Reynolds, and comedy Kill Your Friends with Nicholas Hoult.
Next month he will appear in action thriller Transporter: Refuelled, taking over from Statham as lead character Frank Martin. But Skrein, 32, who has a four-year-old son with his partner, will not be heading out on the town after the premiere.
He said: “I am thankful for the success but the whole idea of stardom is not something that excites me. I am a family man and my most important role is a father to my son. When I am not working I am with them.
“I don’t go out really. I am offered invites to all these parties and I turn them down.
“Even after premieres or events some of the stars are like ‘Let’s go out’ and I just go back to the hotel room. I am the most boring person. I would rather be at home with a pint of IPA in my slippers.”
He added: “It’s not about the money for me. I just want to do something well and be a good person with a happy healthy family.”
Skrein grew up in Haringey and went to school in Muswell Hill. As a teenager he fell in with the wrong crowd and was badly injured in a knife attack.
He said: “I was stabbed when I was 17. It was touch and go and my lung collapsed and I was in hospital for five days. It is part of my back story.”
Afterwards he concentrated on teaching swimming to local school children before doing a BA in fine art at Central Saint Martins. He also released a rap album before making his acting debut in Plan B’s short film Michelle, which led to a role in the rapper’s 2012 movie Ill Manors.
He went on to star in Game Of Thrones as Daario Naharis, but gave up the role because he was too busy with other filming commitments.
Of his success, he said: “I feel like everything in my life so far — the stabbing, the art, the swimming teaching — has been leading up to this moment. I try and be present and live in the moment ... and not get weighed down by what happened yesterday.”
He is also philosophical about taking over from Statham in the Transporter franchise after three films, saying he did not feel any pressure.
“He did a great job — but that was him and this is me,” Skrein said. “There’s no point looking at what other people do. It’s about being present and about the now. This is my turn to be in this role and do it well.”
Transporter: Refuelled is in cinemas on September 4.
