Stephen Mangan compares acting craft to playing chess

Stephen Mangan has opened up about how he continues sharpening his acting skills after years in the industry.

Stephen Mangan has opened up about how he continues sharpening his acting skills after years in the industry. The British actor shared his approach in a recent chat with Candis magazine.

Known for stepping across acting, comedy and presenting, Mangan expressed genuine happiness with the variety his career has offered. He’s currently linked to “The Truth” on the West End stage.

He said he feels genuinely delighted to stay busy with work that actually interests him. According to Mangan, variety has always been the spice of life for him professionally.

Reflecting on his career path, Mangan joked that his younger self, a law student at the time, would have been amazed by how things eventually turned out. He seemed genuinely surprised by his own journey into entertainment.

When asked about his secret to improving as an actor, Mangan offered an unexpected comparison. He explained that becoming a better chess player requires playing against someone stronger than you.

He said the same principle applies directly to acting. According to Mangan, working alongside talented collaborators has consistently pushed him to grow, something he considers himself fortunate to have experienced throughout his career.

Looking ahead, Mangan revealed he is eager to explore more stage work and potentially even musical theatre. He admitted there are several plays he’d love to take on in the future.

However, he remained cautious about tackling a musical, joking that despite being able to sing in tune, pulling one off convincingly still feels like a tall order. Still, he added that he’d never rule it out completely.

Mangan also revealed a longtime creative ambition of his own. He said he would like to eventually write his own play and already has an idea in mind for it.

Beyond acting, Mangan has built a diverse presenting career, hosting shows like “Portrait Artist of the Year” and “Landscape Artist of the Year.” His acting credits include beloved comedy-dramas such as “Green Wing,” “Episodes” and “The Split,” cementing his reputation as one of British television’s most versatile performers.