Whether it be from the power of suggestion or just having a good agent, Matthew Goode (Match Point) came prepared for his lead role in Julian Jarrold's film adaptation of Brideshead Revisited saying, "I saw the British television series about five or six years ago when my agent sort of gave it to me prophetically as a gift and said, 'You should watch it and you should learn from it.'"
Apparently Goode took thorough notes, landing the part of Charles Ryder, a charming but lonely young man, who is unapologetically fascinated by the noble Marchmain family and their home, Brideshead castle. He's first befriended by the youngest son, the winsome and provocative Sebastian (Ben Whishaw) and soon becomes entranced by his sophisticated sister, Julia (Hayley Atwell).
Unfortunately, the matriarch (Emma Thompson) of the family has other plans for her daughter which do not include the "social-climbing" Ryder. Yet, he will give anything to fit in, which proves dangerous when having nothing to lose.
Matthew Goode and Hayley Atwell (Cassandra's Dream) sit down with Hollywood.com to talk about their awards buzz performances complicated, intriguing, class-based story of Brideshead Revisited: