Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Spotlight on Edward Tudor-Pole
- Interview
- 1. First impression on set
- 2. Borgin & Burkes atmosphere
- 3. Working with Chris Columbus
- 4. Jason Isaacs and Daniel Radcliffe
- 5. Pressure on younger actors
- 6. A family moment with the books
- 7. Learning the scene was cut
- 8. Set energy and a wider career
- 9. Craftsmanship and what matters on camera
- 10. Building Mr. Borgin
- 11. Memorabilia kept from the set
- 12. Looking back on the connection
Introduction
Edward Tudor-Pole is an actor and musician whose career spans punk-era music, British television, and character acting in film. For many audiences, he is most closely associated with the Wizarding World through his role as Mr. Borgin in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, filmed for a sequence that ultimately did not appear in the theatrical cut but remains part of the film’s production history.
This interview was conducted via mail correspondence. Questions were sent in writing, and Edward Tudor-Pole responded by hand. Every effort has been made to transcribe his responses as accurately and faithfully as possible, preserving original wording, tone, and phrasing.
Editorial note: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of Edward Tudor-Pole alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Tales From The Collection. The interview is presented for archival, historical, and documentary purposes.
Content warning: Question 12 contains language and opinions related to gender identity that some readers may find offensive or harmful. Reader discretion is advised.
Spotlight on Edward Tudor-Pole
Edward Tudor-Pole (also known as “Eddie Tenpole”) is a British performer whose career sits at the intersection of punk-era music, television presenting, and character acting. He first became widely known in the late 1970s and early 1980s as the frontman of the band Tenpole Tudor, associated with the UK punk/new wave scene and remembered for high-energy singles like “Swords of a Thousand Men” and “Wünderbar.”
After the band’s early run, Tudor-Pole expanded into film, television, and theatre, building a long résumé of supporting roles and distinctive appearances. Many viewers also recognize him from British television as the presenter of The Crystal Maze in the mid-1990s, where he took over hosting duties after Richard O’Brien.
For Harry Potter fans, his connection to the Wizarding World comes from portraying Mr. Borgin in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. His footage did not appear in the main theatrical cut, but the material is associated with the film’s deleted/extended content, linked to the Borgin & Burkes sequence involving Lucius and Draco Malfoy.
Outside of acting, Tudor-Pole has continued to identify strongly with music. He has also written about his life and career in his autobiography, The Pen Is Mightier, published by Oldcastle Books, framing Harry Potter as only one part of a much larger professional story that spans decades of work across different corners of show-business.
Interview
One walks on set fully focused and in character. The scenery was all so realistic and my shop was just how I’d expected it to be, but I didn’t walk about marveling at the set builders’ skill until I’d shot the scenes. What amazed me was that however close you went to, say, a filthy damp old brick wall you couldn’t tell it was fake! Only by touching it could you tell it was an illusion. All film sets are equal to the actor. Whatever the space he is in, the actor’s job is to pretend to be real. That’s hard.
The shop was perfect—it looked the same as it does on screen; I remember the Harry Potter coins. It was a day’s work for me. I was concentrating on not messing up, being the new boy on a well oiled integrated machine. I was aware of the high status franchise I’d entered. But everyone was nice and friendly, and made me welcome. The director sets the tone on set.
And Chris Columbus was a very kind fellow and put me at my ease (essential for acting). When I auditioned it was just two days after 9/11 and Chris and the producer were sitting at a desk with a huge stars and stripes flag on the wall behind them. It was as much as I could do to resist saluting and saying “God Bless America!” On set Chris agreed to my idea of some coin business. I liked him very much.
Jason Isaacs was friendly and we chatted side by side in make-up. Radcliffe was very young and perfectly polite. The thing to remember is that we were all there to be as brilliant as possible on a brilliant film. We were all working extremely hard. The children also had to fit lessons into their day with a tutor. The nicest of the child actors, by far, was [Tom Felton], the lad playing the young Malfoy.
No. There was simply the pressure of the daily work load. They all knew their characters and doing it piece by piece is not too difficult, although rater dull, accumulatively. You live in the moment on a film set. You plow on. The pressure for those actors comes from the outside world, not the cosseted cozy safety of the film set where everyone’s task is to be nice and helpful to you. It’s almost a love-in, but your side of the bargain is to deliver what they want.
Harry Potter was popular in our household. My son came to read with the first book. I read him the first chapter then said “if you want to find out what happens you’ll have to read it yourself!” And blow me down, he did just that!
Picking him up from infant school I overheard him say to a girl, “My dad’s in the new Harry Potter film.” (This was a month before release.) “No, he isn’t!” she said. “He is!” said Henry.
I said, “actually, I am, you know, but you don’t have to believe me, wait until the film comes out!” “No, you’re not!!” she said, even more emphatically.
Later that night, I laid in bed and Chris rang me from America to explain that my scene was to be cut as the film as it was too long, but they still love me, and I’ll still get credited, and paid. It was good of him to call personally, but I went to bed thinking how did that little girl know?!!
Both. I have lived a long life packed with adventure and variety in every aspect of show-business, mostly as a musician, writer of hit records. My autobiography is out: The Pen Is Mightier . Old Castle Books by Edward Tudor-Pole. Full of personal anecdotes from Clint Eastwood to Johnny Rotten and everyone in between. Harry Potter was a day’s work only.
The H.P. set was very ornate and detailed to the tiniest degree, 9/10ths of which the camera can’t capture. No money spared. But if you’re in a movie where the action is set in a public toilet, and they simply hire a real one, then that set is just as good as the Harry Potter one, in that it’s suitable for its subject and purpose. Perfectly.
I researched the character of Mr. Borgin by reading the book. It is the actor’s job to create his own sense of who he is within the world. They hired me to give my idea of who Mr. Borgin is.
I did keep some coins from the set, gave some to my son, not quite sure where they are now. I have only ever seen the 2nd Potter movie, and only read the first book featuring Mr. Borgin. What Harry Potter is to you the Rolling Stones are to me! 62 years of pleasure! I’ve never seen the movies.
I am glad I was in a Harry Potter film as it was well paid and I still get residuals. But I was pleased to return to my proper calling: singer-songwriter rock-n-roll guitar player. You would not want to hang out with actors believe me, whereas 99.9% of musicians I’ve met in whatever field are lovely people. It’s deplorable how Daniel, Rupert, and Emma didn’t support J.K. Rowling who wants her ladies toilets to be ladies-only. If that’s controversial or unreasonable try visiting a Chinese restaurant. What a bunch of cunts!
Share this:
Discover more from Tales From The Collection
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.