Freddie Flintoff's Surprising Role in Gritty TV Drama Revealed
- Lynda La Plante sought Freddie Flintoff for a role in her drama Prime Suspect 1973 after being impressed by his presence on A League of Their Own.
- Flintoff expressed interest in acting but was intimidated by the idea of a lead role, and he created a short tape while in Australia.
- Despite his efforts, production executives dismissed him as 'not good enough,' leading to La Plante's disappointment over the lack of consideration given to Flintoff.
Freddie Flintoff, the former England cricket star and current Top Gear presenter, was approached by crime writer Lynda La Plante for a role in her television drama, Prime Suspect 1973. La Plante was inspired by Flintoff's charisma while watching him on the sports game show A League of Their Own, where he captained a team. After meeting with him, Flintoff expressed interest in acting but admitted that the prospect of a lead role was intimidating. Despite his enthusiasm, the production executives ultimately chose actor Sam Reid for the part. Flintoff was encouraged to create a short acting tape while he was in Australia, but the feedback from the executives was dismissive, stating he was 'not good enough.' This response left La Plante feeling that Flintoff had not been given a fair chance, leading her to reconsider her casting choices. The situation highlights the challenges faced by athletes transitioning into acting roles, particularly when they are not given adequate consideration by industry professionals.