Fortune-Lloyd has starred in multiple period dramas and says that he gets into character by listening to music and watching films of the time. To get a better idea for playing Townes, the Wolf Hall actor took inspiration from American actor Rock Hudson, who was gay.
During the shoot of The Queen’s Gambit, Bruce Pandolfini, a USFC master, coached Fortune-Lloyd and other cast members on set. He was also the chess consultant to author Walter Tevis (original author of the novel The Queen’s Gambit). The actor picked up some chess skills on the set and even beat the nine-year-old Beth Harmon avatar on chess.com.
