Russell Tovey
This must be the most intense character you’ve played – how did you prepare? When the writing is so good, you don’t have to worry about it too much. [The writer] Neil Cross’ dialogue was so natural that I didn’t feel I had to psyche myself up. There’s a stillness you have to get to for the tone to work. This character hasn’t got any swagger at all – he just wants to disappear, as he tries to keep it all together. Often the people I play do have swagger, but this guy is being manipulated as well, which is horrific for him. There’s a lot of you and Bertie Carvel running around in a forest at night. How was that to film?
I am used to night shoots. I did November night shoots in the woods, naked, running around till 4am for Being Human. And I’m not naked in this, so it’s easier! How does it feel to be front and centre of a big ITV drama from the creator of Luther?
It feels incredibly exciting to be part of a big TV show. I’m in every day and in practically every scene. Although, I still feel like it’s an ensemble piece. It’s not a one-man show, he has relationships and friendships. I love the challenge of scenes where there’s five pages of dialogue, and you have to get all worked up and end up crying and all that stuff. Neil Cross talked to me via Skype a week into filming, and was very encouraging – it was right in that period when, as an actor, you have the fear someone will tap you on the shoulder and say, “Sorry, mate, it’s not gonna happen.” How was it playing the same character at different times of his life?
Really interesting, especially the version of him from ten years ago. We had to give him a different look. I was going to get my nose pierced, and I dyed my hair – I was a bit more skater-boyish, like Avril Lavigne. The dialogue and the structure of those flashback scenes were so interesting, as well. You keep wondering what he’s done and what he’s capable of. Finally, how are the projects that you’re writing going?
Good, thanks. I’m working on three separate things, and hopefully one or all of them will come to fruition. I do like writing. It feels similar to when you improvise for a role, except I’m doing that on the page with the characters, playing with them. It’s fun!