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Damian Lewis: Boarding school is a ‘very violent’ experience that ‘defines you emotionally for life’, The Telegraph, May 15, 2016

Damian Lewis: Boarding school is a ‘very violent’ experience that ‘defines you emotionally for life’

Damian Lewis, the Homeland actor, was sent to boarding school aged eight CREDIT: JAB PHOTOGRAPHY/REX/SHUTT​ERSTOCK

Damian Lewis, the Old Etonian actor, has told how he found being sent to boarding school a “very violent experience”.

The star said children who are sent away from home to be educated are left with an experience that “defines you emotionally for the rest of your life”.

The son of a City broker, he was born in the wealthy London suburb of St John’s Wood and was sent to boarding school Eton, whose former pupils include David Cameron and Boris Johnson.

Lewis, who has two children with fellow actor Helen McCrory, said he would not send his own children to boarding school at such a young age.

There’s a sudden lack of intimacy with a parent, and your ability to get through that defines you emotionally for the rest of your lifeDamian Lewis

Recalling his own experience, he said: “I went at eight and I think that’s very hard. You go through something which, at that age, defines you and your ability to cope.

Read the rest of the article at the Telegraph