Tom Natsworthy

Tom Natsworthy is a male human who was introduced in Mortal Engines. Formerly a Third Class Apprentice in the Guild of Historians under Chudleigh Pomeroy, he is currently an aviator of the Jenny Haniver. He is currently in a relationship with Hester Shaw.

He was portrayed by Irish actor Robert Sheehan.

Description[]

Tom has pale skin, green eyes, and short brown hair. He is tall, albeit a head taller than Hester, and wore the black-and-blue clothing of the Historians before swapping it out for a brown, fleece-lined leather aviator's uniform near the film's climax. He has a warm, accented voice.

Personality[]

Christian Rivers describes Tom as "cheeky", as a result of letting his actor, Robert Sheehan, have a little fun with the character.^[3]

Sheehan himself describes Tom as a "kid" at the beginning of the film, and that his arc is "baptism by fire".^[4]

Both have also said that Tom has "dormant bravery".^[4]^[1]

Hera Hilmar has mentioned that Tom was the key to return Hester to her human self (in her character's arc).^[5]

Philip Reeve has admitted that the film version of Tom is more attractive than the book version - both in looks and personality. However, he has mentioned that Sheehan knows Tom's "beat" (slight awkwardness), yet he is funny and earnest. He has mentioned that the film version of Tom is "lovable".^[6]

History[]

Mortal Engines[]

Tom was accompanied by his hero, Head Historian Thaddeus Valentine, as well as Valentine's daughter Katherine. Together, they approached the Salzhaken scavengers to purchase Old Tech. However, one was an assassin in disguise, and attempted to stab Valentine. Tom managed to stop the attack, and pursued the girl towards the furnace district.

The would-be killer revealed her name to be Hester Shaw. She claimed that Valentine was responsible for her disfigurement before leaping down a waste chute. Shortly after, Valentine arrived and to Tom's surprise, pushed him down after her.

Together, Tom and Hester trailed London, eventually found a town named Scuttlebug. However, the mayor had the pair drugged with the intention of selling them as slaves. At the slave market of Rustwater, they were rescued by Anna Fang, who smuggled them to Airhaven aboard the Jenny Haniver.

Tom, Hester and Anna dined at the Gasbag and Gondola inn, accompanied by several of her Anti-Tractionist friends. The dinner was interrupted by the arrival of Shrike, a Stalker sent by London mayor Magnus Crome to kill Hester. While the aviators held off Shrike, Tom and Hester escaped Airhaven.

Tom, Hester and Anna, went to Shan Guo.

After dropping Hester onto London, Tom destroyed London's engine.

Hester, Tom, Anna, and the remaining Anti-Tractionists executed a raid against London, braving the city's anti-aircraft defences.

With Katherine's help, Tom destroyed London's engine to slow it down, rescued Hester, and shot down Valentine's ship. They decided to travel in the Jenny to see the world.

Relationships[]

Anna Fang[]

Tom was disgusted with Fang at the beginning of the film. After meeting her, he thinks of her as someone who cares.

Bevis Pod[]

Its hinted that Tom and Bevis are friends and/or acquaintances.

Herbert Melliphant[]

Herbert was Tom's bully on London.

Hester Shaw[]

Tom initially meets Hester in London's Gut when she attempts to assassinate Thaddeus Valentine. He is initially terrified of her, but later falls in love with her when he realizes that she is more than bloodlust.

He is currently in a relationship with her.

Thaddeus Valentine[]

Tom idolized Valentine to no end until the events of the film.

Quotes[]

"Stop her!"

― referring to Hester ^{(Mortal Engines )}

"See, I knew you'd come for me."

― Tom to Hester ^{(Mortal Engines )}

"We go where the wind takes us."

― Tom to Hester ^{(Mortal Engines )}

Trivia[]

"Tom" is a short form of the name "Thomas", the Greek form of the Aramaic name "Ta'oma", which means "twin".^[7] "Natsworthy" is a road in Dartmoor, where Philip Reeve lives.^[8]
- "Tom" also means "the end, innocence, simplicity" in Hebrew.^[9]
Tom is based on how Reeve himself would reaction to the situations portrayed in the world of Mortal Engines.^[6]