On a May morning in London, Matt Smith showcased his hospitality. He welcomed guests to his garden, offering tea and adjusting chairs for comfort. His terrier, recently back from the vet, demanded his gentle attention.

Known for roles in ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘The Crown,’ Smith’s charisma was anticipated. Steven Moffat, a collaborator for two decades, described Smith’s charm as nearly unbelievable. “Everyone thinks they’re Matt’s closest friend,” Moffat noted. “You’ve just been ‘Matt Smithed.'”

Despite this reputation, his grace still surprises. Smith began his rise to stardom as the 11th Doctor in 2010’s ‘Doctor Who,’ captivating audiences with charm and energy. Since then, he’s taken on more sinister roles, playing characters with morally complex lives.

“We need our villains,” Smith remarked, referring to his recent string of such roles. However, he added, “It’s not my sole focus for the rest of my career.”

His appeal—marked by a wide grin and distinctive hairstyle—found use in characters capable of unsettling acts. In ‘Lost River,’ he portrayed a man brutal enough to sever an enemy’s lips, a scene Smith described as “oddly amusing.” As these characters, his expression hardens, his charm turns cold. There’s no tea then.