I've just finished reading the first in a proposed series of three books by author Deborah Harkness, entitled "A Discovery of Witches". To be perfectly honest (gulp!) I'd never seen Nat in anything but the Lynley series, and even then only briefly, as I don't watch television much at all, before I read the book. But just as I finished the book, I walked into my grandson's room where he was watching "Haunted Mansion", and Nat appeared onscreen. Like magic!
The male lead character in Harkness' book is a (excuse the expression) vampire, named Matthew de Clairmont, who happens to be 1500 years old. He is supposed to be a leader among vampires, and one of the most powerful, as well as the most well-educated, and intelligent.
Now, lest you think I normally read vampirific novels, I would have put this book down immediately, had I known it contained a vampire within its covers. But, alas, I had already begun to fall in love with the character long before I realized he was a vampire.
The book is so well written I simply cannot take the characters from my mind, and find I care very much what happens to all of them. I can hardly wait for the next two books in the series, but they are some time away, unfortunately. Having the characters so well-imprinted in my mind, I saw Nat's image onscreen in my grandson's room, and realized that THERE was Matthew de Clairmont. I immediately wrote to the author, Ms. Harkness, of my discovery, and she agreed with me that he would be perfect for the role. Many others of her readers also agree with me on this point. None of us has found anyone who might play the other characters, but we all want Nat to be in this role!
My hope is that he will read (at least) the first volume in the series, to acquaint himself with the character, and perhaps begin to see in it what we do.