Stag party. Whisper those two words to any man over the age of 30 and you will witness a dreamy smile or a grimace of abject horror manifest upon his countenance, often simultaneously.
Everyone has a stag story. How about this one? Filling little balloons with cocaine that you swallow in order to smuggle through airport security, only for a balloon to burst in your stomach and the entire party be sequestered in a brutal island prison run by two rival brothers – oh and one of your mates has been shot.
Thus the premise of Stags, a rollicking TV series depicting the stag party from hell. English actor and rising star Nico Mirallegro plays Stu, the groom who presumably wishes he opted for a wine tasting in Hackney. “He’s charming,” says Mirallegro of Stu, “the nicest guy in your phone book, but underneath it all, he’s a smiling crocodile.” Enjoy our interview – and try to suppress the flashbacks.
What project are you most excited about at the moment?
Stags! It’s been such a labour of love. I’m so proud of everyone involved. I feel like we’ve created something special that captures a particular moment in time. We put so much into each day; I just want people to sit back and enjoy the ride.
What drew you to the character of Stu in the show?
There are so many layers to him. He’s charming, the nicest guy in your phone book, but underneath it all, he’s a smiling crocodile – he’s in your home, eating at your table. He’s an ever-changing chameleon, constantly shifting.
He’s running from something inside himself, yet he deeply loves his wife. Everything he does is for her. The multi-sided personality, which is common but often hidden in people, intrigued me and felt like a great choice.
What was your favourite part about filming in Tenerife?
It has to be waking up to the sun and going down with the sun. Especially, the 6am sea dips with the sweetest bunch of crew – volcanically bathed, we’d reap the rewards for the rest of the day.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment to date?
Working with the great Antonia Bird and Mike Leigh on Peterloo is right up there. They were monumental in shaping me cinematically. Antonia showed so much trust at a time when I needed it most. We discussed even the smallest details during rehearsals, and then she gave everyone the relaxed freedom to create.
Working with Mike was tough at first; he has a scintillating wit and intelligence that doesn’t suffer fools. Making a film of that scale was immense. The whole process felt like an expansion and development of character. I use that as a template now.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
I’d have said “No” to the “Yeses” and “Yes” to the “Nos”, just to see where that parallel path might have led.
What do you still hope to achieve?
Everything is timing. I’d love to write and direct a play. If you want to see certain stories, you’ve got to make them happen. The mind is limitless; we can achieve whatever we truly want.
Outside of your family, what’s your biggest inspiration?
Life, people, nature – everywhere, all around us. On the bus, in the air, on the street, in the forest, in the soil, in conversation. That’s what inspires me.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you?
I once came 3rd in the Spanish National Go-Karting Championships – in my first season.
What’s your best stag story?
They lost the best man on the stag do and ended up having to hire a random fella to be the best man and do the speeches – the whole lot.
Your fancy dress costume of choice?
A gorilla. Why not? The way they move – so majestic. It gives you a shiver.
Who from the cast would plan the best stag?
JoJo Macari has some funky ideas, generally in life, but I think Corin Silva would fire the party up. The two of them together would be a naughty cocktail for planning a stag do.
Who are three strangers you’d invite on your stag?
I’m flipping the script and going for a cinematic education stag do – in front of and behind the camera. Gene Hackman, Lynne Ramsay, and Béla Tarr. Imagine that.
Watch Stags on Paramount+ now.
