In 1984, Lloyd was playing a Klingon in Star Trek; today he’s William Shatner’s friend in the romcom Senior Moment. Soon, he will be King Lear. Is there a logic to his apparently chaotic career?

It seems appropriate for a man whose most famous role had him struggling with the nature of time that Christopher Lloyd arrives for our interview half an hour late and somewhat flustered. He had been under the impression it was happening the next day. Back to the Future indeed. But Lloyd soon gathers himself, flashing Doc Brown’s trademark wicked grin.

Sadly, the problems don’t stop there – Zoom is playing havoc with his hearing aid, so we have to rely on the skill and patience of his wife, Lisa, to pass on all questions. Which brings us neatly to the reason for our chat – his new film, Senior Moment, in which he stars with Jean Smart and William Shatner, who play a pair of older star-crossed lovers in this decidedly old-school romcom. “I enjoy playing characters of the age that I have now,” says Lloyd, 82. “I mean, they’re just as interesting as younger characters.” Indeed, Lloyd has been playing them for some time – it’s hard to believe he was only 47 when he starred in Back to the Future. “I haven’t been cast as an elderly lover yet, though,” he laughs. Instead, he’s playing Shatner’s best friend.