20 minutes with Jon Hamm

You’re 41 now, do you worry about losing your looks?

I’ve never had a superhero body and I never will. Losing one’s looks presents challenges, but I’ve never really thought about it one way or the other.

Do you like getting drunk at parties like Don Draper?

I’m not sober, that’s for sure. Recently Jen [his partner, the actress Jennifer Westfeldt] and I were in Italy and drank a lot of delicious red wine. I’m on a bit of a red wine jag at the moment. It’s fun — there are like a thousand different types and you can become fetishistic about it.

Do you have a party trick?

No. I don’t like to be the centre of attention at a party. I prefer to observe.

What gets you up and dancing?

A band from the Midwest called Wilco. I’ve been a fan for years. I love their mix of country, folk and rockabilly.

Are there any TV box sets you’re obsessed with?

I consumed The Wire from beginning to end over a two-week period. I watched it compulsively, like an addict. It was crazy because I was working on a film at the time and had to get up very early and I’d find myself at two o’clock in the morning saying, ‘Oh God, I’ve got to watch one more.’ It’s such a wonderful, whole work, I think it should be studied. It’s spectacular.

You’re in a new Playhouse Presents drama for Sky Arts with Daniel Radcliffe. Was Don Draper excited to meet Harry Potter?

Yes! I’ve read the first couple of Harry Potter books and seen the films, which I really enjoyed. And Daniel was so creatively committed to the role and excited about doing it, which was inspiring.

Your English accent is good.

Thanks. I’ve been an Anglophile for years. I grew up listening to Monty Python. I never travelled much when I was young, as we didn’t have much money and lived in St Louis in the Midwest. I was 20 when I first went abroad, on a trip to London with a group of high school students I was chaperoning. We did everything from the Tower of London to Stonehenge. I was fascinated by how different England was, at the same time as being the same.

Is it hard to get into Don Draper mode?

After seven years, it gets easier. We’re immersed in the period, sitting around in costume, surrounded by props, and that helps. But it’s still a gear shift because Don’s very different to me. He’s stricken with demons that I hope I never have and although there is a vicarious thrill in playing him, Don is not someone to be idolised. No one could live that life, they’d be dead.

People were surprised when you said you didn’t want children. Were you surprised that they were surprised?

Because of my own upbringing I’m acutely aware of the responsibility involved; it’s not something I’m prepared to take on lightly. I love my friends who have kids, and Jen and I are a good aunt and uncle to a lot of them. We go to birthday parties; we have tons of godchildren and nieces and nephews; I even have a great-nephew — I’ve got my share of children. I was a teacher. I’m surrounded by youth but caring for another life is a very serious decision.