#RIP Michael Jayston

[mycroftholmesian]

RIP Michael Jayston 😔 💔

[edeschmedie]

What an interesting week. I was going through a Romanov period which proved a very short one because after watching Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) I found out that Michael Jayston had recently passed away.

I remember him from my absolute favourite BBC miniseries, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979). His Guillam left quite an impression on me and I remember thinking Benedict Cumberbatch coming short in the film version. (There are so many things I am not happy with in the film version but I don't think I should start). I know many people rave about Alec Guinness as Smiley but I have always thought Jayston's Guillam is meant to be the character the audience identifies with. Knows enough to know that something big is happening, but not enough to still be amused/annoyed at Smiley's seemingly random exploration. Jaded enough to feel put off by Tarr's general annoyingness but still cares enough to pick up on Tarr's genuine fear for his life. Excellently played by Jayston.

But then, upon further digging, I found out that he was also the Rochester in my favourite BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre in 1973. I watched it on TV so many years ago that I never knew who the actors were. Whenever I read Jane Eyre again since then his has always been the face I see for Rochester. Watching other Rochesters in the other adaptations has not dislodged that face. The 1973 version is the definitive Rochester for me. And yet, I never even suspected it's the same actor who played Guillam! I honestly cannot believe that 2 of the best TV characters I have loved for years were played by the same actor. What are the odds!

So when I came down with the flu on Monday I took the chance to spend my days off rewatching Jane Eyre (1973) and Tinker Tailor (1979). To nobody's surprise (my partner simply asked if he could put all my Romanov books back on the shelves!) I immediately got myself on a Jayston binge, devouring everything I could find online. Thanks to a small but very dedicated Jayston fan community, I discovered so many old gems but my favourite is an obscure little family drama, Flesh & Blood (1980). Only series 1 is available online and even though Jayston apparently didn't return for series 2 I still want to know what happened to the Brassingtons. I am so invested and I can't live not knowing what happened next! Oh well, for now I will just spend this unfulfilled energy screenshotting Jayston as Ross Brassington, adding to my growing Jayston folder.

RIP Michael Jayston. Thank you especially for your Peter Guillam, Mr Rochester, Tsar Nicholas II and Ross Brassington.

[mariocki]

RIP Michael Jayston (29.10.1935 - 5.2.2024)

"Well, I played a lot of interesting people. I was Siegfried Sassoon in ‘Mad Jack’, and played Beethoven and Rochester in Jane Eyre amongst others. When I did Equus in 1976, a critic described my work on television as ‘odd bits of TV’, but these are no small parts for an actor."

[pers-books]

Only Fools And Horses actor Michael Jayston dies aged 88

Michael Jayston, who appeared in Only Fools And Horses, has died aged 88 after “a short illness”, his agent said on Monday.

A statement from his agent M&M Famous Faces said: “It is with great sadness that I have been asked by his family to share the news Michael Jayston sadly passed away this morning after a short illness.

“Those who knew Michael will know he was full of love, laughs and happiness. He adored meeting his fans all over the world.

“His family and friends would appreciate privacy at this time.”

The British actor played the father of Rachel “Raquel” Turner (Tessa Peake-Jones), love interest of Derek “Del Boy” Trotter (Sir David Jason) in the BBC sitcom.

In the episode Time On Our Hands, antiques dealer James tells Del Boy and his brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) that a watch in their garage was made by clockmaker John Harrison and is worth a fortune - leading to an auction where they become millionaires.

Tagging @thisbluespirit

[dougielombax]

Damn shame.

I liked his performance as the Valeyard, he was like a deranged pantomime villain.

He was 88.

Poor bugger.

[ludojudoposts]

RIP Michael Jayston 🖤

29th Oct 1935 - 5th Feb 2024

[fivenyssateganadric]

Very sad to hear that Michael Jayston has just died. Another great of classic doctor who is sadly no longer with us. RIP Sir.

[thenotoriousscuttlecliff]

RIP Michael Jayston.

[iconuk01]

RIP Michael Jayston, whose intensity and fantastic voice made the Valeyard so memorable (despite the character being one of the weirdest and least explicable in Doctor Who history)

[anotheruserwithnoname]

RIP to the Valeyard.

[idlesuperstar]

For @cinemaocd - the happiest of birthdays, dear heart! 

Here is a smorgasbord of 19th century SHIRTSLEEVES SWOONSTERS (in varying levels of historical accuracy) for you in celebration <3

Also here are all the past birthday gifsets because I’m very modest and humble: 2014 - double drink! // 2015 - fave swoonsters // 2016 - domestic swoonsters // 2017 - FUR! // 2018 - handsy Roger // 2019 - bicorn beauties