Johnny Flynn: When were you happiest?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Johnny Flynn said elsewhere, not written here

When I was about eight, by a river waiting for my dad to finish fishing, eating a Mars bar, drinking a can of Coke and listening to Beat It by Michael Jackson on my Walkman. I remember feeling I couldn’t be happier.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 April 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

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Rob Brydon Welsh actor and comedian

As a boy in a tree.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 August 2012 source ↗

James McAvoy Scottish actor

When I was 15 or 16 - I slept really well then. Now I sleep on a bed of anxiety-tipped nails.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 April 2009 source ↗

Hayley Mills English actress

Now. This is the best time of my life.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 March 2010 source ↗

Nora Ephron Journalist, essayist, screenwriter and film director

Yesterday – I had a delicious tomato sandwich, on toasted sourdough bread, with mayonnaise.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 September 2009 source ↗

More from Johnny Flynn

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Question What has been your biggest disappointment? Failure & regret

When I left drama school, I thought I was going to work at the Royal Court and tell stories about political injustice. I got cast in ITV murder mysteries.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 April 2022 source ↗