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Being ugly is refreshing: Neil Patrick Harris on relinquishing his vanity

In the midst of a fertile career spanning hit television series, blockbuster films, numerous coveted award show hosting gigs, and a Tony-winning Broadway stint, it took a Lemony Snicket​ villain for Neil Patrick Harris to finally relinquish his vanity.  

So while the 43-year-old is headlining Netflix's ambitious new 10-episode adaption of the best-selling children's book A Series Of Unfortunate Events, he is doing so unencumbered by his customary squared-jawed appearance.

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Trailer: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

We regretfully present you with the official trailer, a word which here means a collection of the unhappy happenings surrounding the lives of the three Baudelaire orphans and one despicable Count Olaf.

The man known simply as NPH is instead laden with a prosthetic nose, fake teeth and an unflattering wig that creates a huge bald spot amid some sinewy grey hair.

"I was intentionally horrible-looking," he says, lounging safely back in his customary slim-fit Oxford shirt. "Being really ugly was actually really refreshing."

In person, NPH is laconic and at times even a little earnest, especially when discussing his work. He says he is a technical actor, not an intuitive one.

"I love stunts and circuses and magic, and seeing where that button is to step on to create an explosion," he says. "I'm intrigued by performances requiring more than one thing happening at the same time."

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For instance, he swiftly grows impatient watching a play with, say, five people sitting on stage in a bar ruminating on their childhood. He will promptly figure out where the scene is going and then mentally move on.

"I want something else to be going on."

This renders his decision to take on the role of Count Olaf, perhaps a curious one on paper, as a little more shrewd. (Jim Carrey played the Olaf role alongside Meryl Streep in a 2004 film of the same name).

"I think it's good to have fans in a younger demographic for a career's longevity sake," he says, only half-joking.

The series is helmed by Hollywood director Barry Sonnenfield, who commands a slightly darker undertone, and an enviable budget.

"I value a kid's sense of humour. A series from young-adult novels don't necessarily mean pandering, mediocre shows. I like cynicism aimed at children… That's a funny dynamic to me."

Although the show is too dark for them now, NPH says the idea of creating work that will soon be appreciated by the five-year-old twins he is raising with his husband and partner of 13 years, actor David Burtka, is appealing.

As is the prospect of playing a bad guy.

"I am the bad cop in our family relationship," he says. "I don't mind being threatening, I like darker Halloween costumes and I always loved Roald Dahl's sense of humour."

Olaf comes at a fascinating juncture in NPH's career.

He grew up in New Mexico, where after a stint in acting camp at 13, he landed his debut opposite Whoopi Goldberg in the film Clara's Heart. Just two years later, Harris became teenage prodigy Doogie Howser MD.

Initially a pop culture sensation, Doogie's cancellation in 1993 inevitably led to lean years for NPH; comprised of telemovies, stage work and crime procedural guest slots.

"I didn't want to only have 14.5 minutes of fun," he admits.

Remarkably, beginning with a self-mocking role in the 2004 stoner comedy Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, he pulled off one of show business's toughest feats: the second act.

Nine years playing lothario Barney Stinston on the sitcom How I Met Your Mother firmly expunged Doogie. It was two years into the Barney Stinson era that Harris boldly decided to come out publicly.

"There had been people before me who had to tip into a very potentially frigid pool and found the water was a great temperature," he says, politely swatting away a question about his courage. "My only fear professionally was the Mother writers were going to write Barney differently. They didn't. I played the straight dude banging chicks for another six years after coming out. Eventually, that made my personal world less relevant."

Next came slots hosting the Tonys (four times), the Emmys (twice) and the Oscars.

"Award show numbers can be scary," he says. "But it's inconsequential, really. It's an awards show… If it fails spectacularly, it's probably more watchable than if it's fine. In the end, people just want to know who won. Often with these things, you work really hard and no one cares. Except the few who worked on it."

It's worth noting that one year after he last hosted the Tonys in 2013, he triumphantly returned a winner, taking best leading actor for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He also nabbed significant film roles: David Fincher's Gone Girl and Alexander Payne's upcoming Downsizing, alongside Matt Damon.

"Each required a really technical, difficult skillset," he says. "Fincher is the most precise of all. He wants clarity and simplicity. He demands everybody at the top of their game, but quietly and confidently. He calls you out on the tiniest thing, which is nerve-racking."

Just as daring a turn was 2015's live, defiantly non-traditional variety series Best Time Ever, which he concedes was almost ludicrous in its ambition.     

"That was a little masochistic," he says, of the series, which was quietly cancelled after one season. "Getting through that, the first thing I thought was… 'That happened. What else is around?'"

Which brings us back to Unfortunate. Although he insisted his vanity was non-existent, NPH still brought his personal trainer (who had previously ensured he trained slavishly and dieted obsessively for his gaunt Hedwig look), to the Canadian set.

"There was no weights, more using the body and not getting lethargic," he says.

The idea, he says, is to work some physicality into his Olaf.

"I still wanted to be vibrant in my ugliness."

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events is due to stream on Netflix on January 13.