Interview: Tom Hiddleston on Loki getting his own series on Disney+ Hotstar
Loki, Prince of Asgard, brother to Thor, God of Mischief, trickster, villain turned anti-hero — whatever you know him as, Tom Hiddleston's character is arguably one of the Marvel Universe's most beloved persona. He also happens to have one of the biggest character arcs of any villain in the series.
In anticipation of Disney+ Hotstar’s latest series Loki, we caught up with Tom Hiddleston as he shares more about his character and upcoming stories in his recent press conference for the series.
Talk us through the moment when you know Loki is going to get his own show.
A combination of delight and surprise. [laughs] I had to scratch my head over it because that scene in Avengers: Infinity War had felt so final and conclusive, as the end of Loki's story. But, um, th-I knew that Avengers: Endgame was coming around the corner. And, in that scene in that film, Loki picks up the Tesseract and disappears in a puff of smoke. And where does he go? When does he go? How does he get there?
What do you hope the audience will take away from the extended story of Loki and his growth in this series?
What I love about the series is Loki is stripped of everything that's familiar to him. Thor is not close by. Asgard seems some distance away and the Avengers, for the time being, aren't in sight. He's stripped of his status and his power. And, if you take all those things that Loki has used to identify himself over the last six movies, what remains of Loki?
Who is he within or outside all of those things? And I think those questions became, for all of us, really fascinating to ask: what makes Loki? And, if there is something authentic or, something at the centre of him, is he capable of growth and change?
How does playing Loki change your performance?
I just love playing the character. I always have. I feel so fortunate that I'm still Here and that there are still new aspects to the character every time that-that I learn about.
He's a character of huge range, so it never feels like the same experience, particularly this time around. I mean I'm surrounded by these amazing people, truly. I think Loki's complexity gives him new dynamics and I’m always amazed, like, is this a comedy? [laughs] Loki will be quite surprised by that.
What has surprised you the most about Loki's incredible fan base?
There's no question that the reason I am allowed to continue to play him, is because he clearly means so much to so many people and for so many different reasons. And that is incredibly, gratifying for me. I see that as a-a big honor. And I think over time, I've been made aware of the different things that he represents for people.
Some people enjoy his playfulness and his spontaneity and that inherent sense of mischief that he has. Some people enjoy his-his kind of quality as an antagonist. Some people probably can't stand him. I don't know. [laughs] But I know there are some people who are drawn to his vulnerability underneath all those layers of-of charm and charisma and playfulness is a kind of vulnerability I suppose.
Watch Loki on hotstar.com.
