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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:08] Robert Bannon: Well, welcome to The Roundtable, everybody. My name is Robert Bannon. You're listening to us on Broadway World over here on the Broadway Podcast Network, iHeart, Spotify, wherever art is talking about art. Look, sometimes actors come on here, and they're actors, and then there are people who are actors, like they are on stages, have incredible history. They're not scared to take on the classical works, the tough stuff, the stuff that intimidated me in acting. Joe, it scared me in acting school to do what you do. He's now a star of Enola Holmes 3, which is the third installment in Netflix's Mystery Adventure Films. He stars alongside Millie Bobby Brown and Helena Bonham Carter and all of the Henry Cavill.

He stars with Superman himself. The one and only Joe Azzopardi. I want to say it right. How do you say it? I say Joe Azzopardi. Joe Azzopardi. It's very Italian. That is very good. It's very Italian. Yeah, well, I come from, I'm half from Malta, half from England, but Malta is so close to Italy. I think we have a very lot of Italian sounding names over here. There's a bit of, there's a lot of Italian culture over here. And by the way, thank you so much for that very, very kind intro. That was beautiful. I was really, really taken with that. Thank you. It's all very true. So before we get into your acting career, can I talk to you about Malta?

[1:20] Joe Azzopardi: Of course. I'm in Malta right now. I am. Yes, I actually just wrapped up on a shoot here at the moment. Yeah, a very fun new Jason Statham film.

[1:26] Robert Bannon: You better be out here working. So growing up in Malta, what I know about Malta is A, it's really beautiful. B, it's not a very large populated, large island. Is it very close? Is it if everyone like, do you know your neighbor and your neighbors know you?

[1:44] Joe Azzopardi: When I was growing up here, the population was about 400,000. I think it's gone up to about 500. It could be even over 500,000 now. I'm not quite sure. But yeah, Malta's gotten very popular over the past 15, 20 years, I'd say. It's just, it's this beautiful gem in the middle of the Mediterranean, which before was very untouched areas. But now everyone knows everyone wants to buy a house here. Houses are very expensive now. That's why Joe's working. He's got to keep getting.

[2:14] Robert Bannon: So when I come to Italy next summer, Joe, move over, move your couch, clean off the couch. I'm coming to your house. I'm going, I'm ready. All right. I love to invite myself over when anyone loves live somewhere. I'm the guy who always says yes, when anyone invites himself over. We work together. That's fine. When you come to Detroit, Michigan, which is nothing like Malta, you can stay on my couch anytime.

[2:35] Joe Azzopardi: I probably have to buy a coat.

[2:42] Robert Bannon: You would definitely need, you would definitely need to buy a coat. So when you are not doing films in this, we talked, I was joking and teasing, not teasing, but I'm telling the truth. You're a state, you're a thespian, you're a stage actor. Excuse me. I'm allergic to classical work. I was going to say Shakespeare and I sneezed. When did you, when, when did you discover that you wanted to be an actor? When'd you get the bug?

[3:07] Joe Azzopardi: Ever since I can remember, really. I just, I've always been one of those people that since I was a little kid, I've always just ever wanted to be an actor. I know a lot of people spend ages trying to find their way in life or try and find what they want to do. Acting was just always my thing. Yeah. My dad brought me up watching like movie after movie and just schooling me on all the classics. And I was just watching these actors thinking like that. It's just so cool. And what I didn't, it didn't really click for me until I saw actors playing other roles and I'm like, but he was that in one film and he's this in another film. I'm like, that's so cool. Like he made himself someone else. I'm like, I want to make myself someone else. And yeah, so I think it just started with that little, that little bug when I was younger.

[3:48] Robert Bannon: Was there a moment for you that you felt like the moment of a successful part? Was there a role? Was it doing Midnight Summer's Dream? Was it doing Romeo and Juliet? Was it doing theater? Like, was there a moment where you said like, I could make this my career?

[4:01] Joe Azzopardi: So, no, it always, even when I was younger, it was just always going to be a career as well. I never really had any other option but to go for this. I mean, I kind of, I, since, because I work, I'm so involved in the film industry in Malta, I'm also a film producer as well. So I produced my own films on the side. I've produced two independent films so far. So, and I can get involved in film production. So I always have like that other avenue. But no, I think from my stage stuff, to go back to your question, Mercutio and Romeo and Juliet is probably definitely my favorite Shakespeare that I've done. I try to do a Shakespeare play every year when I'm available, obviously with a company that we've been acting together for the past 10 years. So like we kind of, we respond off each other so well. They're an amazing, amazing group of actors that I act with. Yeah. Incredible.

[4:51] Robert Bannon: So when was the moment that the television and film work started to happen? And Malta, it's a little, I know you have a film industry there, but Netflix is not small. And Universal, you know, doing Jurassic World for Universal, not small on television. You know, working with Jason Statham, not small. So how did, when did it blow up to now we're doing worldwide big budget? We're a movie star. You're a movie star, you're a TV star.

[5:17] Joe Azzopardi: Yeah, I think the Enola Holmes play, I'm getting it, McKellen Enola Holmes was definitely the biggest stepping stone for me and the one that probably got the most recognition. I've kind of been acting for ages, you know, but it's kind of a lot of the times it's kind of like these small roles or kind of medium sized roles and things that are not so big as well. But no, since Enola happened, I've kind of, I haven't really stopped working actually. It's been really, really great.

[5:44] Robert Bannon: Incredible. So tell us, for people who haven't seen it, maybe people feel intimidated by the fact that it's a period, it's of a certain time and maybe they don't feel smart and fancy enough to understand it. What's it about? Why should we check out Enola Holmes one, two, and now about to be number three?

[6:00] Joe Azzopardi: So you should definitely check out the first two films because you really want to understand the love story between Enola and Tewksbury, you know, how they first meet, how they start kind of first get together, which then leads up to the third film when they want to get married. And the third film is going to offer you all of the, all of the flavours and themes of the first film, same kind of mystery, same kind of adventure, except this time you get the beautiful backdrop of Malta and it is gorgeous. Honestly, when you see the sun hit that limestone and like the vibrant nature it gives the screen, honestly, it looks beautiful and it's great. You know, you're learning about another culture at the same time. You're really going into like what Malta went through under British rule and especially from my character as well as a bit of a freedom fighter for it. So you kind of, you get to understand a bit about what Malta went through at that time.

[6:51] Robert Bannon: I love it. It sounds incredible that, and they get to have you and you get to have Malta and you get to have this incredible story told in the third. It's out right now. Like you can be everybody right now. It came out on July 1st. It's available on Netflix. You can be checking this out. So tell me a little bit about your character. Your character's name is Michiel? Michiel?

[7:10] Joe Azzopardi: That was good. Yeah. Michiel Mitzi.

[7:13] Robert Bannon: See, I'm half Italian.

[7:16] Joe Azzopardi: It's that double Z as well. That's a similar to my surname. We say Azzopardi. So Mitzi would be Mitzi. It's that.

[7:23] Robert Bannon: Got it. Mitzi. Who is he? How did you discover who he was and how did you do the behind the scenes fun work to find him?

[7:37] Joe Azzopardi: I mean, I think anybody with Maltese roots would love to play this character. He's just kind of the, he's kind of like this Victorian era 007 who, when you first meet him, you're quite, you're not quite sure where his motives lie. He's there to like help her along her story or he's there to get in the way. But I, have you watched the film yet? Because I don't want to ruin anything.

[7:59] Robert Bannon: I have not watched the third one. I've seen the first two.

[8:02] Joe Azzopardi: All right, great. I'm not going to ruin this one for you, but I can tell you he is an incredibly good fighter, but he can't beat Enola Holmes, obviously. And he's an incredibly charming character as well. He's a spy. He's meant to be getting into all these kind of like spots that he's not supposed to. Charming his way in and also being able to fight his way out.

[8:23] Robert Bannon: Oh, so you're going to be, you're a little bit of a troublemaker is what you're saying.

[8:28] Joe Azzopardi: Off screen as well, I think.

[8:31] Robert Bannon: So what was it like to be with this cast? It's incredible. Firstly, I love Enola's character because I love that she breaks the fourth wall and tosses it on. It's a very fun part of the way this was written. It's written really smart and entertaining. So don't feel intimidated by it if it's based in a certain time or from places you don't know or you feel like it is something that you all have to check out and definitely check out. So what was it like to be on set with them all and with Philip, the director and with this cast?

[8:58] Joe Azzopardi: Well, Phil, the director was the main one. I mean, Phil's the one who cast me in the role. Phil was the one that kind of believed in me from day one. So I owe him so much. And honestly, he's such an amazing director.

[9:09] Joe Azzopardi: I'm really excited to be here and talk about Enola Holmes 3. It's such a fantastic project to be a part of, and I can't wait to share more about my character, Mikiel Mizzi, and the journey we went on.

[9:31] Joe Azzopardi: Playing Mikiel was a dream come true. He's a member of the Partito Anti-Riformista, fighting for a free Malta, and it was incredible to bring a piece of Malta's history into the Enola Holmes universe.

[10:01] Joe Azzopardi: The film takes Enola to Malta, where she gets caught up in a mystery surrounding Sherlock's disappearance. It was amazing to see Malta portrayed on such a big platform, and I hope it resonates with audiences.

[10:21] Joe Azzopardi: Working alongside Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, and Helena Bonham Carter was surreal. They are such talented actors, and I learned so much from them on set.

[10:41] Joe Azzopardi: The atmosphere on set was electric. Everyone was passionate about the project, and it felt like we were all part of something special.

[10:51] Joe Azzopardi: I think the Enola Holmes fandom is incredible. The enthusiasm from fans really adds to the experience, and it's great to see how much they love the characters and stories.

[11:11] Joe Azzopardi: My background in theatre definitely influences my work on camera. The skills I've developed on stage help me bring depth to my characters, even in film.

[11:21] Joe Azzopardi: I think it's important to stay connected to your roots as an actor. Theatre teaches you so much about storytelling and character development, which is invaluable in film.

[11:41] Joe Azzopardi: After joining such a huge franchise, I'm excited to see where my career goes next. There are so many stories to tell, and I can't wait to explore new opportunities.

[12:01] Joe Azzopardi: Malta has such a rich history, and being able to share that through my character is something I take pride in. It's a beautiful place, and I hope audiences get a sense of that.

[12:21] Joe Azzopardi: The experience of filming in Malta was unforgettable. The locations were stunning, and they really added to the authenticity of the story.

[12:41] Joe Azzopardi: I think audiences will appreciate the blend of history and mystery in Enola Holmes 3. It's not just a fun adventure; it also raises important questions about independence and identity.

[13:01] Joe Azzopardi: I hope viewers connect with Mikiel and see the passion he has for his country. It's a story that resonates on many levels.

[13:21] Joe Azzopardi: I'm looking forward to hearing what fans think about the film. Their feedback means a lot to us as creators.

[13:41] Joe Azzopardi: Overall, being part of Enola Holmes 3 has been a fantastic journey, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my work with the world.

[14:01] Joe Azzopardi: Thank you for having me on the show, Robert. It's been a pleasure discussing this project and my experiences.

[14:21] Joe Azzopardi: I can't wait for everyone to see the film and hopefully fall in love with Malta just as I have.

[14:49] Joe Azzopardi: If you want to learn more about my journey or the film, feel free to reach out on social media. I'm always happy to connect with fans.

[15:17] Joe Azzopardi: Thanks again for this opportunity, Robert. It's been a blast!

[15:45] Joe Azzopardi: I'm excited for what's next in my career and hope to continue sharing stories that matter.

[16:13] Joe Azzopardi: Let's keep the conversation going, and I look forward to seeing where this journey takes us.

[16:41] Joe Azzopardi: Until next time, take care, everyone!

[17:09] Joe Azzopardi: Bye for now!

[17:37] Joe Azzopardi: Cheers!

[18:07] Joe Azzopardi: See you soon!