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The first time I saw Toby on screen would have been in ‘Space Cowboys’. I remember thinking “What a great job that young actor did playing young Clint Eastwood”.
The next time I saw Toby on screen was in ‘Die Another Day’. I am a huge fan of the Bond franchise and while this film had one of the more far-fetched stories, I remember being quite impressed with the character of Graves – he was almost more swave than Bond – and that fencing scene was a milestone.
At that point, I was aware of Toby, but, being in the USA and not being a cable TV subscriber, many of his TV appearances were not readily available to me.
I think I truly became a “fan” when ‘Lost in Space’ premiered on Netflix. Shortly after that I spotted him in the trailer for ‘Hunter Killer’ and began to seek out his back catalog and keep an eye on new projects.
I began buying all the DVDs available. I was charmed by ‘Jane Eyre’, mezmorized by ‘Black Sails’, enthralled by ‘Cambridge Spies’, tickled by ‘Vexed’…and on and on.
Now, thanks to internet shopping sites and a region-free Blu-ray player, I have been able to view all of Toby’s on-screen roles apart from a couple of shorts and one made-for-tv movie.
I have amassed a collection of film memorabilia, theatre programmes, audio books, radio plays, and magazines.
I was lucky enough to be able to visit London and see Toby on stage in ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg’ as well as view archived performances of ‘Oslo’ and ’Danton’s Death’ at the National Theatre and ‘Phedre’ at the V&A.
Meeting Toby in person was absolutely a high point. I was fortunate enough to meet him both at a convention in Utah and at the stage door in London (along with his lovely wife and children). He is an amazing, talented, and kind man and I am proud to be counted among his fans. ❤️
I met him in the role of Rochester in J.E .: the scene where he holds out his hand to Jane to tell her not to go: Well, love at first sight. From there I researched the internet and discovered this fan group.
My first time with a Toby Stephens’ role was in Jane Eyre. I was seventeen and soon after I finished reading the book I searched for the BBC’s miniseries. The more I went on watching the episodes, the more I was aware he WAS exactly the Mr Rochester I had in mind while I was reading the book. I became obsessed with his performace and decided to follow him up with his work, because I felt he deserved all my devotion, as an actor. 13 years later I can say that I was right, because so much has happened from that day and I can proudly say that I owe to him part of who I am today.
I swear I’ve been planning on posting something here for days. But I’ve realized that I find it hard to put into words what clicked with me when I discovered Toby. The first role I saw Toby in was Black Sails. I knew absolutely nothing about him before that. In fact, the first image I had of him was his first scene on BS. And while I love Black Sails as a whole, enormously (it’s definitely my favorite tv show of all time), Toby really stood out to me. I don’t know, something in his acting, somehow spoke to me very deeply. I don’t know if that makes any sense. But since I finished Black Sails my obsession has been watching as much of his filmography as I possibly can. Which hadn’t happened to me with any actor before. And the more I watch, the more I love his acting, and him. I could go on and on talking about Toby, but maybe I’ll save something for another day xD
The first role I saw Toby Stephens in was the James Bond movie Die Another Day, though I didn’t notice.
You see, I’m an American, so I did not get the chance to see Mr. S in an of his early break out stage roles, or in any of his BBC series. IMDb tells me his early movies were not the kind that play for long at the local suburban multi-plex, so I didn’t see any of those, either.
So a big budget franchise movie was the first thing I saw Toby in.
All the men in my life have been big James Bond fans. Me? Not so much. My mind sort of drifts while I watch with them, and I usually identify those films in my head by their most flashy elements – the one with the powder blue terry cloth romper (Goldfinger), the one with the 7-up spokesperson (Live and Let Die), – and the one with the ice palace. And the invisible car. And the lasers. And the bedazzled bad guy.
The first thing I noticed Mr. S in was Black Sails. (Wow – ’nuff said).
The more I got into Black Sails, the more I got into the actors. IMDb searches, googling, cable surfing…that’s when I realized I HAD seen Flint in something! Die Another Day!
So DAD is now the first James Bond movie that I’ve actually watched, and paid attention to, all the way through. And NOW I’ve noticed what an excellent villain Toby makes – snarling, smirky, condescending, arrogant…and that sword fight! Perfection!
He’s had so many roles, in so many genres, but I feel as if the first two things I saw him in were two of his many career peaks.
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