DANIEL MAYS: I've Worked with Hollywood’s Biggest Stars But I Still Sometimes Feel Like an Imposter
About this episode
<p>Daniel Mays has been in our living rooms for decades. From EastEnders and Line of Duty to Mrs Biggs and Thursday Murder Club, he’s become one of the most familiar and loved faces in British TV and film. </p><br><p>But long before he shared the screen with the likes of Michael Douglas and Stephen Graham, Daniel was the middle child in a working-class Essex family, desperate to be seen and heard. He found his voice through performing and never looked back.</p><br><p>In this conversation, Danny shares: </p><ul><li>Growing up in Essex with dreams of becoming an actor </li><li>Why he nearly didn't go to stage school</li><li>The unforgettable advice Michael Douglas gave him </li><li>Taking on the role of the 'Black Cab R*pist' John Worboys and how it affected him</li><li>What it was like performing in front of Daniel Day Lewis </li></ul><p><br></p><p>Daniel was a joy to talk to and he’s a reminder of what's possible when you back yourself and never let go of the dream.</p><br><p>Daniel Mays is Great Company. </p><br><p>Watch ‘<em>Believe Me’</em> on ITV <a href="https://www.itv.com/watch/believe-me/10a0144" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> </p><br><p>Check out Daniel’s new podcast <em>‘Gangster Presents: The Story of Ronnie Biggs’</em> <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p09dj358" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> </p><br><p>If you enjoyed the show, you can also follow us: </p><p>Instagram-<a href="https://www.instagram.com/greatcompanypodcast/#" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> @greatcompanypodcast</a></p><p>TikTok -<a href="https://open.acast.com/networks/611e511b4ec6dc00134bced2/shows/65d737dfdc02e00016c413b2/episodes/www.tiktok.com/@greatcompanypodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> @greatcompanypodcast </a></p><p>Jamie -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamielaing/?hl=en-gb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> @jamielaing</a></p><br><p>And if you've got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: greatcompany@jampotproductions.co.uk</p><br><p>THE CREDITS</p><p>Producer: Helen Burke</p><p>Assistant Producer: Issy Weeks-Hankins</p><p>Video: Jake Ji</p><p>Senior Social Media Manager: Laura Coughlan</p><p>Audio: Rafi Amsili Geovannetti</p><p>Executive Producer: Ewan Newbigging-Lister</p><br><p>Great Company is an original podcast from JamPot.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. DANIEL MAYS: I've Worked with Hollywood’s Biggest Stars But I Still Sometimes Feel Like an Imposter from Great Company with Jamie Laing gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- NARA SMITH: Answers The Internet, Lucky Blue's FIRST DM & Winning An Oscar?! Nov 4, 2026
- ADAM LAMBERT: Why You Should Always "Just Do It" | GREAT MOMENTS Nov 2, 2026
- JAKE SHANE: Why I Can’t Enjoy My Own Success Oct 28, 2026
- NAOMI ACKIE: Why We Need to Celebrate Our Successes | GREAT MOMENTS Oct 26, 2026
- JACK OSBOURNE: AI Means Ozzy’s Legacy Can Last Forever Oct 20, 2026
- ROB RINDER: What Happens When Your Dream Doesn’t Work Out | GREAT MOMENTS Oct 18, 2026
- TINIE TEMPAH: How a Kid From Peckham Went Multi-Platinum Oct 13, 2026
- OLIVIA ATTWOOD: How I Became the Happiest I’ve Ever Been | GREAT MOMENTS Oct 11, 2026
- BEA ELTON: The Social Media Star Using Cleaning to Change People's Lives Oct 6, 2026
- PALOMA FAITH: How to Deal With Heartbreak When You're Not Okay | GREAT MOMENTS Oct 4, 2026
- JANETTE MANRARA: Losing Out on the Strictly Job Has Changed How I See Rejection Sep 29, 2026
- NICK MOHAMMED: What It’s Really Like on Celebrity Traitors | GREAT MOMENTS Sep 27, 2026
- ROB BECKETT: I’m a Chinese Takeaway & a Pint - If You Don’t Like It, Don’t Come Again Sep 22, 2026
- TRINNY WOODALL: I Wish I Knew THIS in My Twenties | GREAT MOMENTS Sep 20, 2026
- GEORGE CLARKE: Friends From Work, Being an Introvert & Why his Mum is his Hero Sep 15, 2026
- LL COOL J: How I Became The Role Model I Never Had | GREAT MOMENTS Sep 13, 2026
- DR FEDERICA AMATI: How Weight Loss Drugs Can Rewire Your Brain Sep 8, 2026
- ROCHELLE HUMES: My Mum is the Reason I’m Fearless | GREAT MOMENTS Sep 6, 2026
- MICHAEL OWEN: The Price I Paid for Being England’s Golden Boy Sep 1, 2026
- SHANIA TWAIN: How to Be Proud of Yourself | GREAT MOMENTS Aug 30, 2026
- FRANK WARREN: How a Kid from a Council Estate Became Boxing’s Biggest Promoter Aug 25, 2026
- JACK WHITEHALL: Why I Owed Jamie Big Time | GREAT MOMENTS Aug 23, 2026
- BEN ZAND: Investigating Looksmaxxing, Trad Wives & Darkest Corners of the Manosphere Aug 18, 2026
- PROF. SARAH BERRY: How is Menopause REALLY Affecting Us? | GREAT MOMENTS Aug 16, 2026
- NEIL PATRICK HARRIS on How I Met Your Mother, Coming Out & Why Fatherhood is His Greatest Job Aug 11, 2026
- RIZZLE KICKS: Letting Go of the Pressure to Succeed | GREAT MOMENTS Aug 9, 2026
- EXCLUSIVE - MEGAN MCKENNA: My Worst Nightmare Came True Aug 4, 2026
- LUKE EVANS: Realising Who You Are | GREAT MOMENTS Aug 2, 2026
- MICHELLE KENNEDY: Becoming a Mum Inspired Me to Build a Community of 5 Million Women | FOUNDERS FRIDAY Jul 30, 2026
- SIMON PEGG: I Want To Be a Good Man For My Daughter Jul 28, 2026