Alistair Petrie – Favourite Things

Alistair Petrie is a British actor. He has starred in films such as The Bank Job, Cloud Atlas, Rush and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and television series including Channel 4’s Utopia, BBC’s The Night Manager, Sherlock and Undercover. More recently, he played the headteacher Mr Groff in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education, which returned for a third season on Friday, and is available to stream on Netflix now.

These are a few of Alistair Petrie’s favourite things…

Double Denim

I went riding on a ranch in Montana a few years ago. On my first day, I was a bit tentative in my outfit selection of jeans and a white shirt. Striding into the coral to get my horse saddled, I saw I was out of place because I wasn’t in double denim. More than that, I needed to up the ante and not only join everyone in double denim but add in a Stetson and cowboy boots too. It’s a look you can’t get away with anywhere else. I also found a pair of red leather chaps in the saddle room, and I’ve officially adopted them. No one is allowed to now wear them except me. It is a harder look to pull off at the Co-op near home (and sadly, nowhere to park your horse).

Wine

I have a film coming out called Eight for Silver which we shot in southwest France. Bordeaux produces some of the greatest wines in the world, and during filming, a friend organised a tasting at the great Chateaux Haut-Brion. The tradition, the winemaking and the consumption with food and friends makes wine irresistible. I’m learning more and more about winemaking; it’s a simple combination of the “terroir” or soil and the weather. Annual harvesting of the simple grape can produce art by true artists that you can consume. Incredible.

Warren’s Pasties

Established in 1860; Warren’s Pasties is the oldest Cornish Pasty producer in the world. A genuinely great pasty from a part of the world I have been going to for years. It’s a unique British seaside experience. You can’t have one every day because your arteries might protest, but when you do, you feel marvellously full, slightly naughty, a touch regretful but happily indulged.

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

DON’T PANIC – it’s not what you think. It’s a body butter moisturising hydrating treat. Full of unpronounceable extracts, my wife had some, and after a day on a beach, I put some on and smelt like the ultimate holiday. Coconut, almond and vanilla wafted around me like an aura. The treat comes because apparently, it’s rather expensive. I can’t now find it in the bathroom cabinet. Holidays over. 

Padel Tennis

After the pasty and the wine, exercise is recommended – balance in all things. Padel arrived in the UK relatively recently from South America via Spain. Apparently it’s the fastest growing racket sport in the UK; a tennis, squash hybrid with less hunting for balls and designed for double play. I get lost in watching the professionals play on the internet. It’s also very spectator friendly. Although it’s only my dog populating the grandstand watching me play currently, but I’m getting better, so the cat might join.

Enjoyed Alistair Petrie’s favourites? Explore the full Favourite Things archive here.