Well, folks, it’s back! The Bridgerton questionnaire made its debut in season one as a quick, fun way to get to know our cast and the characters they play. Even though we only skipped season three, we haven’t seen the questionnaire for nearly four years! Thankfully, we’ve brought it back to life with your enjoyment top of mind. Without further ado, here is the latest Bridgerton questionnaire for season four.
Albion Finch: The husband of Philippa Finch, née Featherington.
Sole occupation: making Philippa happy.
Lorn Macdonald knows what’s up when it comes to his Bridgerton character, Mr. Finch, whom he’s been playing since season one. He understands him intrinsically, and this is probably why we have all loved watching this lovely dweeb of a man these past four seasons — even if he’s never on-screen for more than a few minutes in any episode.
“Even though he is a silly character that people will laugh with and laugh at,” says Macdonald, who believes Finch was originally intended to be in only one scene in season one, “if you look at his little journey, he’s doing very well by just being a good guy who listens to the love of his life.”
Audiences began to take note of Macdonald in 2016 when he played Mark Renton in the Citizens Theatre production of Trainspotting. Recently, he’s been a part of Hulu’s Dinosaur, which has run alongside his role as Finch. And while we don’t know if Finch will show up in subsequent seasons of Bridgerton, we can only hope that this little “cheese freak” makes a comeback.
Here, Macdonald talks about some of the favorite things he was able to add to his character, quotes J.R.R. Tolkien, and tells us his true feelings about cheese.
What do you have in common with your character?
Finch loves love. He looks for it in every room and is always able to find it. He’s not the smartest person in the world, but he’s emotionally intelligent. I’d like to think we’re similar in that respect.
What do you not have in common with your character?
The man loves cheese more than anything — except Philippa [Harriet Cains], of course. But when someone suggests sharing a cheese board for dessert, a part of me dies inside. You’ve just eaten savory, and now you want more savory? What’s wrong with you?!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I enjoy washing the dishes. Stick on some Nina Simone or The Blindboy Podcast, and my hands are having a bubble bath. Met a dishwasher once: makes the dishes squeaky; have to lick my fingers. No, not for me.
What has been one of your favorite lines and/or moments as your character?
Some of my favorite moments have come from things Harriet Cains and I have found in the moment that end up making it into the show. For instance, in season three, when I look up at Penelope [Nicola Coughlan] during her glow-up, it wasn’t scripted that I’d look at her with such pride. That was simply because I’ve always felt Finch genuinely adores Penelope and is so delighted to see her growing into this incredible woman. Then, Philippa hitting me with her fan was just Harriet enjoying the beat of the scene as well.
So many of our scenes have little moments like that, and it really speaks to what a wonderful production it is to be part of — where those spontaneous ideas are welcomed and encouraged.
Also, just anytime I got to sneeze. I asked [showrunner] Jess [Brownell] if I could sneeze in a dramatic moment in season three, and she found the perfect place for it. Legend.
There was a meme going around this summer where people talked about their “book boyfriend,” which is about literary characters who people love to crush on. Which fictional character do you crush on?
Aragorn, when he opens those double doors in The Two Towers. That’s in the film, but I think it’s in the books too — “Aragorn opens the double doors looking so frickin’ hot; like, you had to be there, OMG,” wrote Tolkien, I believe.
What would be your ultimate masquerade costume?
Those double doors Aragorn pushes open.
What outlandish pet would you have if you lived in the Regency era?
A unicorn, the Scottish national animal. It seems fitting that if everyone was rocking up on a horse that Finch would arrive on a unicorn.
Do you prefer to watch dramas or comedies, and why? Or perhaps your favorite is another genre altogether?
I think the best television is going to have a mix of comedy and drama: Mr. Inbetween, Atlanta, Succession, Fleabag. Anything that can make me cry and cry with laughter in one episode is up there for me.
What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you recently?
I don’t get embarrassed easily. When you are constantly embarrassing, you cease to be. In fact, scrap that. That quote I just wrote there; that’s embarrassing.
What was the best day of your life?
That is way too difficult a question, but I was at the Scotland versus Denmark match last year when we won to get into the World Cup for the first time since 1998. [Scott] McTominay’s overhead kick will stay with me forever. If you don’t know what I’m on about, YouTube it.
Who was the person who most influenced you and how?
I’ll say my older brother. He was showing me films and TV that even he was too young to be watching, never mind me. But those influences made me want to be an actor and broadened my world. Also, just a kind, funny guy to look up to.
What do you consider your best achievement?
Probably winning Best Actor at the Scottish BAFTAs for a film called Beats. It’s about friendship and the end of the ’90s rave scene in Scotland. Quite a different performance if you’re used to me as Finch.
Is there a show, a film, or a piece of art you want to recommend or that has stuck with you?
Victoria [2015]. Don’t watch a trailer. Just stick it on. Big screen. Volume up. Turn your phone off, and throw it out the window. Hit a passerby. Run out. Apologize. Get back in. Go for a pee before you hit play. What a film.
If you weren’t an actor, what do you think you’d be?
I literally have no backup and no skills. It’s a terrifying life.
Is there a character in the series (not your own) you are drawn to or can relate to, and why?
Philippa Featherington. She is everything.