We caught up with The Crown actor and former Doctor Who to find out how he takes his tea (among other things).

British actor Mr Matt Smith, 34, is best known for his hugely popular four-year turn as the Doctor in the BBC’s long-running cult series Doctor Who. He’s currently playing Prince Philip in The Crown, the new Netflix drama based on the British Royal Family. Mr Porter caught up with him in New York for a cup of tea to ask him the big questions, the answers to which include: Simply Red, Notting Hill and Mr Eric Cantona. Read our full profile on Mr Smith in the Journal, or scroll down to see the “sprinterview” below.

Who is your style icon?

Prince Philip! No. I do like that whole 1950s vibe, like Cary Grant, high-waisted trousers, and those long jackets and suits and stuff.

What brands do you like to wear?

Thom Sweeney suits. Acne, I like. It’s simple. Can’t beat a Burberry mac. Paul Smith does a good sock. I like a good sock.

What’s your style motto?

Don’t think about it too much. Go with your first outfit. Often, you know when you sort of try too many things you can overcook the cake, as it were.

What’s your number-one style no-no?

I don’t look good in red.

Which book that changed your life?

The BFG or The Master And Margarita. It’s a toss-up between the two. Closely followed by American Psycho. Ooh, and A Million Little Pieces. Can I have four?

What’s the movie you never get tired of watching?

Notting Hill.

Are you sure you want to say that?

I never get tired of watching Notting Hill, or Four Weddings And A Funeral. I watched Point Break the other day. Not the new one, the old one. Tango & Cash. Also, Adventures In Babysitting. Do you remember that? Watch that, Elisabeth Shue. I mean, Elisabeth Shue in everything! We could say Notting Hill and anything with Elisabeth Shue.

What was the last gig you went to see?

Radiohead at the Roundhouse in Camden, London. Oh no, Johnny Lloyd in Camden at the Barfly, and then Radiohead at the Roundhouse.

Do you have a signature scent?

Bang by Marc Jacobs, and at the moment the new Burberry, Burberry Black.

Signature drink?

Beer, or a drink I call the “Great Leveller” which is Grey Goose on the rocks with three bits of lime squeezed into the glass, and then after like six beers you have one of them and it levels you out.

What’s your recurring dream?

I often dream that I’m floating up, and I just keep floating. It’s really nerve-racking, because I just keep going up and up and up and up. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it feels like flying and sometimes it feels like I’m just getting further away from Earth.

First thing you do when you wake up?

Make a cup of tea.

How d’you take it?

Builder’s tea, splash of milk, you have to let it brew. Also, I don't like cups. I like mugs of tea.

Name the app you can’t live without.

None of them. I hate apps. I long for something mechanical.

Name a place everyone should visit before they die?

Kerala in India.

Biggest extravagance?

Hotels and planes.

First thing you do when you get into a hotel room?

Eat and drink stuff from the minibar, as much as I can.

Best advice your mother or father or mentor gave you?

“Time is an imposition on one’s dignity. Don’t let it worry you.” My dad.

Any superstitions or rituals?

Yeah, I have to touch red when I see a Royal Mail van.

Athlete you most admire?

Has to be a footballer… Eric Cantona. Flair, brilliance. That moment when he scored a sublime chip from the edge of the area and he just slowly turned 360, collar up, taking the acclaim.

Song you sing in the shower?

Simply Red’s For Your Babies. I thought about it today when I was in the gym. I was like, if I had kids, I’d sit there and I'd put this on, and I’d just look and them and go, “Yeah”.

The Crown is available to stream on Netflix now