Hugh Grant has experienced a kind of “brand identity crisis” ever since his breakout role in Four Weddings and a Funeral back in 1994, which cast him as the archetypal British romantic lead—charming, self-effacing, and loveable. But recently, he’s been portraying a series of odd and sometimes unsettling characters so convincingly that you start to wonder if the persona he originally became famous for was ever truly him.

He’s the first to admit there’s more going on beneath the surface than people might expect.

“I remember a teacher pulling me aside at school and saying, ‘Who is the real Hugh Grant? I feel like the version we’re seeing isn’t entirely sincere,’” Grant shared during a recent walk through Central Park. He was reflecting on his ability to persuade and manipulate, much like his character Mr. Reed, a villain in the upcoming horror film Heretic, slated for release on November 8. “I might be guilty of having that talent to charm and deceive.”

At 64, Grant refers to this stage of his career as his “freak-show phase,” where he’s taken on a wide array of rogues, criminals, and eccentrics. These include roles in The Undoing, A Very English Scandal, and The Gentlemen, as well as performances in lighter films like Paddington 2 and Unfrosted. He’s even playing a quirky Oompa-Loompa in the new Wonka. According to Grant, the floppy-haired, endearing version of himself that audiences saw early on was never quite the real him.

“I made the mistake of thinking that just because Four Weddings was so popular, I had to become that character in real life,” he admitted. “I started doing interviews as this bumbling, blinking guy, and before long, people had me typecast as ‘Mr. Stuttery Blinky,’ which, understandably, grew tiresome for them.”

Grant had just arrived from the Toronto premiere of Heretic, and despite the radiant day in New York, he warmly greeted Central Park like an old acquaintance. He pointed out some of his favorite spots, like the Delacorte Clock with its dancing animals and the statue of Balto, a heroic husky. “We’re being drawn to Balto,” Grant joked, patting the statue. “I’ve had experiences with huskies before.”

He reminisced about a role in a 1985 mini-series where he played a scientist on a doomed Antarctic expedition, struggling to lead a team of huskies. “I gave them the command to go forward in Inuit, but the dogs just laughed and dragged me in the opposite direction.”

It may seem strange to cast someone like Grant, known for his witty self-deprecating humor, in a horror movie. Grant himself is terrified of horror films and recently walked out of one he mistakenly attended with his brother in New York. But directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who worked with Grant on Heretic, said his knack for defying expectations made him the perfect choice.

“This is an actor who’s completely reinventing what he’s known for and using that against the audience,” Beck explained.

The directors admired Grant’s ability to play dark, edgy roles, first noticing his talent in Cloud Atlas where he portrayed six villainous characters. “Hugh Grant’s transformation in the last decade has made him one of the best actors for these complex and sinister roles,” Woods said.

Despite his trademark British charm, Grant’s handsome youthful appearance has evolved into a more weathered, distinguished look. His presence in the park didn’t go unnoticed, with fans occasionally shouting, “I love you, Hugh!” One woman, after gushing about About a Boy and forcing her husband to watch it annually, professed her love for the movie, to which Grant kindly responded, “You’re very nice,” before muttering, “Poor man,” once they were out of earshot.

Grant reflected on his upbringing in London, describing it as “genteel poverty.” He won a scholarship to Oxford and somewhat accidentally fell into acting. He’s always maintained a certain ambivalence about the profession, often joking about a half-written novel he’s never finished. Though his wit and candid remarks can land him in hot water, particularly in Hollywood circles, his sense of humor is quintessentially British, much like the characters he played in Richard Curtis’ rom-coms.

“People sometimes can’t tell when he’s joking,” said Chloe East, one of Grant’s co-stars in Heretic. She recalled moments when Grant’s dry British humor left her wondering whether he genuinely disliked Vancouver or was just being characteristically sarcastic.

Though Grant might pretend to be indifferent about acting, those who work with him know otherwise. His dedication to his craft is evident in his meticulous preparation for roles. Directors frequently receive long, thought-provoking emails from Grant, filled with his analysis of character motivations and interpretations of specific lines.

“He’d send us these deep reflections about the script, making us think about things we hadn’t considered,” Woods said. Hugh Bonneville, who worked with Grant on Paddington 2, dispelled the notion that Grant is uninterested in acting: “He might downplay his abilities, but Hugh is a fantastic talent who works incredibly hard on set.”

Grant’s portrayal of Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2—a former actor full of delusions—was one of his most celebrated roles, with Bonneville praising his commitment, particularly during the musical number filmed on day one of production.

Despite his public self-deprecating humor, Grant takes his performances seriously, demonstrating a willingness to push boundaries, whether in Heretic or in roles where he subverts his once iconic image as a charming romantic lead. As Heretic gears up for release, Grant remains one of the most unpredictable and compelling actors working today.