David Tennant on acting with son Ty for first time in Around the World in 80 Days: ‘It was quite weird!’

David Tennant has revealed what it was like acting opposite his son Ty Tennant for the first time, admitting that it was ‘quite weird’ to interact with him in a professional context.

Doctor Who actor David, 50, stars as gentleman adventurer Phileas Fogg in the BBC’s adaptation of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days, which is set to air from Boxing Day.

Ty, 19, appears in the New York-based storyline as a gang leader.

Appearing virtually on The One Show to chat about Ashley Pharoah’s take on the classic novel, David revealed: ‘It’s a bit of a transition when you move from a kind parental relationship to collaborate at work.’

He then joked: ‘I mean, this is nothing to do with me! I did not get him the job. Steve Barron our director heard that Ty was acting and went and checked him out and thought, ‘Oh, he’s pretty good, let’s have him.’

The Good Omens star described his feelings on set as a cross between ‘parental pride and worry’, even as he admired his son’s composure.

The pair together at the Tolkein film premiere in 2019, which Ty also featured in (Picture: David Fisher/Rex/Shutterstock)

‘Suddenly you’re on set and having to interact in a slightly different way – and it’s a mixture of kind of parental pride and worry, I suppose.

‘But actually, the truth is that he’s so professional and assured and at home on set that I just really love it.’

Sharing what he perceived to be his son’s highlight from the role, David added: ‘And he gets to attack me with a baseball bat, which he was trilled [about]!’

David and Ty on the set of Around the World in 80 Days (Picture: BBC/Slim 80 Days)

With his wife Georgia, the actor is a parent to five children including Ty, who he formally adopted shortly after marrying Georgia in 2011.

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They also have Olive, 10, Wilfred, eight, Doris, six, and two-year-old Birdie.

Olive has also made her big screen debut this year, appearing in Sir Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast alongside Jamie Dornan, Dame Judi Dench and Outlander star Caitriona Balfe.

The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One. Around the World in 80 Days starts December 26 at 5:50pm on BBC One.

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