The English actor talks to The Wall Street Journal about how he starts his weekend.

Best known for his role as FBI agent John Myers in 2004's "Hellboy," Rupert Evans is also a veteran of period drama, appearing alongside Romola Garai in the BBC's "Emma" (2009) and with Sally Hawkins in the 2005 Victorian mystery "Fingersmith."

English actor Rupert Evans Andrea Vecchiato / Camera Press

In his latest endeavor, Mr. Evans plays Godwyn, a monk, in a TV adaptation of Ken Follett's medieval blockbuster "World Without End"; the eight-episode series premiered in Germany this week and begins in the U.K. in January.

To prepare for his role, the 36-year-old actor learned about "the dynamics in a medieval village," he says. "I was interested in the workings of the village at that time and how people, in particular monks and priests, lived."

When he isn't getting into character, Mr. Evans enjoys the cinema and a visit to his favorite flower market in London, where he lives. "I am quite active on the weekends," says the actor, who trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in the U.K. capital. "I always try to go to the cinema in the mornings, when it is quiet, if I can."

How do you start your weekend?

The first thing that I enjoy doing is getting on my motorbike and going for a ride. It always makes me very happy being on motorbike. It's a Honda CBF. It is a really good way of unwinding. I've driven from Central London down to Toulouse in two days. I stop in some villages, find a bar, get a sandwich and then I just carry on. I go through the Eurotunnel underneath the sea. Then I get to Calais and I just drive from Calais all the way down to the South of France. I am used to doing it on my own. I put my earphones in my ears and a bit of music. I can literally drive all day.

How did you get into it?

I worked in a pub in London when I was in drama college when I was training to be an actor. The guy who ran the pub had lots of motorbikes and I got into [it] because of him. Ever since then I've loved it.

How else do you spend Friday night?

I just have a pint in London and meet up with friends. I live in North London and there is a little pub called the Old Queen's Head in Islington where I go. I usually go there or the Duke of Cambridge, which is just behind it, and they have great organic food. I go there for an organic ale. That's my patch.

What do you like about them?

They are near me. It's about convenience and familiarity. It is lovely to feel a sense of community and have an area you know well. I spend a lot of time abroad, so when I get home is nice to have a place you know well.

How do you spend Saturday morning?

I love to go walking. I love Hampstead Heath and walking around there and popping in for a good coffee in Kenwood House, which was used in the film "Notting Hill." I often go to Hampstead because I love it out there. There is a great little coffee shop called Calendars, just around the corner from Hampstead Heath. So I often grab a coffee there and then go for a walk.

What's your ideal Saturday night like?

I am getting into cooking so my ideal Saturday night is actually to stay in and cook a really good meal. I am trying to perfect my prawn risotto. That's what I call my desert-island dish.

How do you spend Sunday?

I like to get up early on a Sunday morning and go to Columbia Road Flower Market. There is a great stand that does great coffee and bacon and egg rolls…. You have to get there early, though, before 9 o'clock, because afterward it gets full of tourists. I do that early, have a good coffee and then usually just pick up a newspaper and fill up with the local news.

It seems you like to make the most of the weekend while there aren't many people around.

Exactly. I am not very good with people.

What would you like to do if you had more time?

I would love to learn a language. I would love to go to a Spanish school and do a month's course in London, and then maybe go and travel around Spain. But I also love playing my ukulele and I would love to practice that more often as well in my spare time.

—Mr. Evans was speaking with Javier Espinoza.

Write to Javier Espinoza at