View Full Version : The Fall
tammyy2j
10-05-2012, 15:28
Bronagh Waugh has joined the cast of a new BBC drama.
The actress, who portrays Cheryl Brady in Hollyoaks, will play the wife of a serial killer in upcoming BBC Two thriller The Fall.
Waugh said that she will not need to take a break from Hollyoaks to film the five-part piece.
She explained: "I am so thrilled and honoured to have been given this opportunity by the BBC. It is such a challenging and demanding role that I feel will really stretch me and explore my range.
"Allan Cubitt's script is the kind that actors can only dream of and to be involved with such an esteemed cast and creative team is a definite career high for me.
"I'm so lucky to have such an understanding boss at Hollyoaks. Emma Smithwick, our executive producer, was so supportive and did everything in her power to enable me to do both.
"She knew what an amazing opportunity it was for me. It's been tough - working seven days a week and flying back and forth between Belfast and Liverpool - but I absolutely love it!"
Playing Sally-Ann Spector in The Fall, Waugh will appear alongside X Files legend Gillian Anderson, who stars as murder investigator DSI Gibson.
Hollyoaks co-star Gerard McCarthy has signed up for the show in March. Once Upon a Time's Jamie Dornan and Séain*n Brennan have also been recently announced.
tammyy2j
11-02-2013, 15:59
Gillian Anderson talks about her role plus preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj34pncJW9A&feature=player_embedded
tammyy2j
29-04-2013, 00:03
The Fall will air in the week of May 11th - 17th on BBC2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tP5Tl04gv3g
tammyy2j
01-05-2013, 14:16
Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan's crime thriller The Fall will premiere on BBC Two on Monday, May 13 at 9pm, it has been confirmed.
The highly-anticipated series, which also stars Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife), Hollyoaks trio Gerard McCarthy, Emmet Scanlan and Bronagh Waugh, and Niamh McGrady (Upstairs Downstairs), was written by Allan Cubitt (The Runaway, Prime Suspect).
Anderson stars as DSI Stella Gibson, who is brought to Belfast from the London Met to find a killer. Dornan stars as killer Paul Spector, who has a dark fascination with solicitor Sarah Kay (Laura Donnelly).
The five-part series will air on Netflix in the US.
BBC drama boss Ben Stephenson said: "The Fall is a unique, forensic and characterful take on a classic genre that continues BBC Two's commitment to original British drama.
"Cubitt's rich and complex psychological thriller combined with another compelling performance from Gillian Anderson will keep viewers on the edge of their seats."
I watched this. FANTASTIC
Superb acting by all concerned. Very dark thriller set in Northern Ireland but not about the troubles.
Tip: Do not watch this if home alone.
Brilliant- Well done BBC NI
I watched this. FANTASTIC
Superb acting by all concerned. Very dark thriller set in Northern Ireland but not about the troubles.
Tip: Do not watch this if home alone.
Brilliant- Well done BBC NI
Fantastic wasn't it Alan and a great cast as well.
Took me a while to get to sleep last night
Fantastic wasn't it Alan and a great cast as well.
Took me a while to get to sleep last night
Fantastic wasn't it Alan and a great cast as well.
Took me a while to get to sleep last night
Yes it really was. Cant wait till next week.
Fantastic wasn't it Alan and a great cast as well.
Took me a while to get to sleep last night
Yes it really was. Cant wait till next week.
tammyy2j
14-05-2013, 15:28
I found it a bit slow but it was the first episode so will tune in again
27th May 2013
As Gibson takes control of the hunt for the serial killer striking against women in Belfast, the realisation that his perfect kill is tainted pushes Spector into looking for his next victim.
Gibson takes control of the serial killer case and while bringing Burns up to speed with her investigation they are interrupted by a phonecall reporting the fatal shooting of an officer. As Burns leaves, he instructs Gibson to get herself a firearm: the danger of policing in Northern Ireland suddenly hits home.
As Gibson and the investigative team are running through what they know so far about the killer of Fiona Gallagher, Alice Monroe and Sarah Kay, Spector is examining the house of a potential victim.
At the police station, Gibson informs Burns about her night with Olson. Forced to stand by her, Burns joins Gibson at a press conference where she announces the hunt for the serial killer. As Spector watches the news report of the press conference, he comes eye-to-eye with Gibson for the first time.
Later on, the Spectors are visiting Sally Ann’s parents at their farmhouse located outside the city, where Spector discovers an abandoned, derelict building. He decides to return to the site: it is clear he has found himself the perfect lair and starts to move his secret possessions out of the loft at home to keep here.
As he returns to his car to collect some final possessions, the radio news announces that Sarah Kay was pregnant at the time of her death. This news shakes Spector to his core, and he sits staring at the mannequin, its blank stare mirrored in Spector’s eyes.
Compelled to erase his mistakes with Sarah Kay, Spector’s darkest desires are directed at Annie Brawley. As he stands just inches from her, unseen in the shadows, he knows he has selected the next perfect victim.
3rd June 2013
When Eastwood’s investigation into Olson’s murder throws open some uncomfortable truths for Burns, Gibson comes under increased pressure in her hunt for Belfast’s killer.
Spector and Gibson go about their methodical daily physical rituals. As Spector runs down by the city docks, Gibson swims lengths determinedly, the press statement that Burns made the night before about the murder of James Olson ringing in her head.
Eastwood brings Burns up to speed on the Olson murder case, having learnt that Breedlove was the person who called Olson’s phone and was involved in illegal activity at Aaron Monroe’s party. Burns orders Eastwood to bring Breedlove in for questioning.
Meanwhile, Spector is being questioned by his boss for his visit to Liz Tyler. Spector tries to brush it away, but Charles Chandler is persistent, and insists on talking to Liz Tyler herself. But Spector successfully manipulates Liz Tyler into reporting her husband’s abuse and Chandler has to watch as Liz is led away into protection by specialist police.
Under pressure, Gibson revisits the Sarah Kay crime scene with Professor Tanya Reed Smith, and together they discover a potential new lead. But will it stop Spector in time and save the life of his next victim, Annie Brawley?
Much as I love spoilers for the soaps I will not be reading the spoilers for this programme as I think it would ruin the suspense
i agree Alan, I think spoilers are ok for soaps cause there is already that sort of predictability about them where as drama is written with the suspense in mind i feel and you arent meant to know whats happening.
It is 17 years since Gillian Anderson was voted the World’s Sexiest Woman by readers of a men’s magazine.
It was midway through her stint as the icily cerebral FBI agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, which ran for nine series, spawned two movies and launched her international career.
Post-Scully, she recounts with a laugh: ‘I’ve played a succession of tightly-wound, dark, confused, suicidal women.’
Mother-of-three Gillian Anderson is back on our screens in her biggest role since The X-Files
None of them have been remotely sexy and they have all been supporting roles, after she decided headlining work would take a back seat to motherhood — she has a daughter, Piper, now 18, and two sons, Oscar, six, and Felix, four — and even turned down the leading role of Lady Cora, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey
But now Gillian is back in her biggest role since The X-Files, as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson in the new five-part BBC2 thriller The Fall, which began last week. She may be 44 but she plays a woman in her sexual prime. Perhaps it’s time to start dusting off that 1996 FHM award.
Gillian, who has been married twice and last year admitted having several lesbian relationships in her youth (‘they were just a phase’), says she couldn’t be happier. ‘If Stella finds a man attractive, she doesn’t hesitate to make the first move. I quite like that in a woman, I’ve discovered,’ she says huskily.
‘I like the way Stella is so sexually confident but there are consequences to that, as you’ll see over the serial.
‘I would quite like to be like her. But I found filming the sex scenes difficult. It always is. Both sides get very nervous and you think, “What if he’s a terrible kisser?” I’m pleased Stella keeps her clothes on, though. I am not happy naked on film. But Stella is comfortable in her own skin. She’s much more feminine than Scully ever was.’
The Fall is a 5-part detective drama, written by Prime Suspect 2 writer Allan Cubitt
‘Whenever I think of that show, I think of a 12-year-old pretending to be an agent. Scully felt quite childlike for a long time and a part of that was because I was only in my early 20s when I started to play her. Audiences got to see us both grow up.’
Gillian met her first husband, art director Clyde Klotz, on set, and filmed throughout her subsequent pregnancy with Piper.
She was still working on The X-Files when they split in 1997.
When The X-Files finished, she decided to shun Hollywood and move back to Britain, where she grew up until the age of 11, with her second husband, the documentary maker Julian Ozanne.
Their marriage only lasted a couple of years but she stayed in the country, where she met businessman Mark Griffiths, father of her two sons. They split last year.
With three children to juggle, Gillian admits she made the difficult decision to only take on work if she could do it without having to spend weeks away from them. It means she has rejected some plum roles.
Anderson shot to fame as FBI agent Dana Scully, who searched for alien life with Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny
‘My 18-year-old cannot believe that I would turn down Game Of Thrones or Downton — things she loves to watch,’ she sighs. ‘But if I am going to be spending that amount of time working on something I would rather be working with a director like Martin Scorsese.’
The parts she has taken — notably Miss Havisham in the BBC adaptation of Great Expectations, Lady Dedlock in Bleak House and Mrs Castaway in The Crimson Petal And The White — have been notable for the plaudits she received (including Bafta and Emmy nominations for Lady Dedlock) and their brevity.
When the script for The Fall arrived, she actually turned it down without looking at it. But she was persuaded to read it, as it was created by Prime Suspect 2 writer Allan Cubitt — and he had written it with her in mind.
‘I had watched Prime Suspect years ago and loved it. The Jane Tennison character [played by Helen Mirren] was brilliant; she was self-centred and had ego and was a little bit self-righteous. Stella is different to Jane but there is something quite mysterious about who exactly she is. As I was reading the script I wanted to know more about her.’
Once the producers agreed she could go home from the Belfast set each weekend, filming could start on a show good enough to attract over 3.5 million viewers when it began this week — and a second series is already on the cards.
It is 17 years since Gillian Anderson was voted the World’s Sexiest Woman by readers of a men’s magazine.
It was midway through her stint as the icily cerebral FBI agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, which ran for nine series, spawned two movies and launched her international career.
Post-Scully, she recounts with a laugh: ‘I’ve played a succession of tightly-wound, dark, confused, suicidal women.’
Mother-of-three Gillian Anderson is back on our screens in her biggest role since The X-Files
None of them have been remotely sexy and they have all been supporting roles, after she decided headlining work would take a back seat to motherhood — she has a daughter, Piper, now 18, and two sons, Oscar, six, and Felix, four — and even turned down the leading role of Lady Cora, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey
But now Gillian is back in her biggest role since The X-Files, as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson in the new five-part BBC2 thriller The Fall, which began last week. She may be 44 but she plays a woman in her sexual prime. Perhaps it’s time to start dusting off that 1996 FHM award.
Gillian, who has been married twice and last year admitted having several lesbian relationships in her youth (‘they were just a phase’), says she couldn’t be happier. ‘If Stella finds a man attractive, she doesn’t hesitate to make the first move. I quite like that in a woman, I’ve discovered,’ she says huskily.
‘I like the way Stella is so sexually confident but there are consequences to that, as you’ll see over the serial.
‘I would quite like to be like her. But I found filming the sex scenes difficult. It always is. Both sides get very nervous and you think, “What if he’s a terrible kisser?” I’m pleased Stella keeps her clothes on, though. I am not happy naked on film. But Stella is comfortable in her own skin. She’s much more feminine than Scully ever was.’
The Fall is a 5-part detective drama, written by Prime Suspect 2 writer Allan Cubitt
‘Whenever I think of that show, I think of a 12-year-old pretending to be an agent. Scully felt quite childlike for a long time and a part of that was because I was only in my early 20s when I started to play her. Audiences got to see us both grow up.’
Gillian met her first husband, art director Clyde Klotz, on set, and filmed throughout her subsequent pregnancy with Piper.
She was still working on The X-Files when they split in 1997.
When The X-Files finished, she decided to shun Hollywood and move back to Britain, where she grew up until the age of 11, with her second husband, the documentary maker Julian Ozanne.
Their marriage only lasted a couple of years but she stayed in the country, where she met businessman Mark Griffiths, father of her two sons. They split last year.
With three children to juggle, Gillian admits she made the difficult decision to only take on work if she could do it without having to spend weeks away from them. It means she has rejected some plum roles.
Anderson shot to fame as FBI agent Dana Scully, who searched for alien life with Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny
‘My 18-year-old cannot believe that I would turn down Game Of Thrones or Downton — things she loves to watch,’ she sighs. ‘But if I am going to be spending that amount of time working on something I would rather be working with a director like Martin Scorsese.’
The parts she has taken — notably Miss Havisham in the BBC adaptation of Great Expectations, Lady Dedlock in Bleak House and Mrs Castaway in The Crimson Petal And The White — have been notable for the plaudits she received (including Bafta and Emmy nominations for Lady Dedlock) and their brevity.
When the script for The Fall arrived, she actually turned it down without looking at it. But she was persuaded to read it, as it was created by Prime Suspect 2 writer Allan Cubitt — and he had written it with her in mind.
‘I had watched Prime Suspect years ago and loved it. The Jane Tennison character [played by Helen Mirren] was brilliant; she was self-centred and had ego and was a little bit self-righteous. Stella is different to Jane but there is something quite mysterious about who exactly she is. As I was reading the script I wanted to know more about her.’
Once the producers agreed she could go home from the Belfast set each weekend, filming could start on a show good enough to attract over 3.5 million viewers when it began this week — and a second series is already on the cards.
Im going to have to record these and watch in daylight. Didnt sleep again last night! Id like to know when I became such a wuss.
I'm really enjoying (if that's the right word for it!) The Fall, particularly Gillian Anderson's character.
I'm having trouble seeing Paul as evil though, because I've got such a strong memory of Jamie Dornan as the good and heartbreaking sheriff/huntsman in Once Upon a Time. The character Paul in The Fall is inscrutable and doesn't have much personality, so he's not making as much of an impression on me. I hope we see more of Paul's inner self to gain insight into his character.
tammyy2j
22-05-2013, 15:04
I'm really enjoying (if that's the right word for it!) The Fall, particularly Gillian Anderson's character.
I'm having trouble seeing Paul as evil though, because I've got such a strong memory of Jamie Dornan as the good and heartbreaking sheriff/huntsman in Once Upon a Time. The character Paul in The Fall is inscrutable and doesn't have much personality, so he's not making as much of an impression on me. I hope we see more of Paul's inner self to gain insight into his character.
I think he looks really young still even with the beard
10th June
The killer’s latest attack gives Gibson renewed impetus and, as the net appears to be closing in, Spector makes a dramatic confession and a decision that binds his fate to Gibson.
Arriving at the Annie Brawley crime scene, Gibson learns that Annie is still alive. Seeing the discarded ligatures, she knows this is the work of the same killer. However, the estate that this murder has taken place on is not friendly to police, and the situation soon turns violent.
Internally, Burns and his team are still trying to piece together the events surrounding Olson’s murder. Eastwood discovers there may have been a contract taken out on Olson as a result of an unpaid debt related to drugs or prostitution, which links back to Aaron Monroe and Breedlove.
Meanwhile, Spector is forced into presenting himself to police after CCTV footage is aired showing him near to Sarah Kay on het last day alive. Although he talks his way through the interview with Brink without suspicion, his request for Sally Ann to provide him with an alibi means he returns home to face her suspicions.
Spector begs for forgiveness and is shocked to discover that Sally Ann is pregnant. As he manipulates Sally Ann into going away with him to try and repair their marriage, Spector decides to make one final play with Gibson that will bring the two hunters closer than either could have imagined previously, and turns up revelations that shake both to their very core.
tammyy2j
27-05-2013, 14:47
Shortly after the series premiered as BBC Two’s highest rated drama series in 8 years TVWise broke the news that the core cast of The Fall had signed on to do a second run and that BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow was on the verge of green-lighting the second season. Hadlow and the BBC’s Controller of Drama Ben Stephenson have now pulled the trigger on that and formally renewed the series for a second season.
There is no official word from the BBC on the number of episodes ordered for the second season or when production will commence, but sources tell me that the order is for five episodes and that shooting should commence on location in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in January 2014. My sources also tell me that the scripts for the show’s second season are already written. In fact I’m told that BBC executives gave series creator Allan Cubitt the go-ahead to begin scripting season two shortly after production wrapped on the show’s first season in Northern Ireland in June 2012.
The move to renew The Fall comes shortly after the series outstripped Line Of Duty to become not only BBC Two’s highest rated drama series of 2013, but of the last eight years. The series also performed well in week 2, with the series retaining most of its initial audience and only seeing a drop off of 100K viewers or 3%. I’m told that the decision to renew the series was taken due to a “perfect storm” of top quality writing from series creator Allan Cubitt, outstanding ratings, heavy critical acclaim and the strong performances of Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan.
“The Fall has proved both a critical and ratings hit for BBC Two and another reminder of the resurgence of drama on the channel” said Ben Stephenson, the BBC’s Controller of Drama. ”With more of Allan Cubitt’s intricate and thrilling plot revelations yet to unfold through the captivating performances of Gillian and Jamie, a second series is a must. Obviously we can’t give too much away as the first series builds to a gripping cliff-hanger but what we can say is it will be surprising and intense as the first.”
Writer and creator Allan Cubitt commented: “The BBC has been an incredibly supportive partner in this project and working with BBC NI and the Artists Studio has been the best experience of my career to date. I always envisioned The Fall as a returning series and wish to congratulate both Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan who have played their parts to perfection.”
While Gub Neal of Artists Studio added: “We are thrilled with the success of The Fall and the recognition of the remarkable work of Allan Cubitt, our wonderful cast, Jakob’s original direction and the sterling work done by the production team in Northern Ireland too. The BBC’s recommission of The Fall fully underpins Artists Studio’s commitment to put the writer at the heart of the creative process – and the success of the show is testimony that it really works.”
http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/05/its-official-bbc-two-renews-the-fall-for-season-2/
tammyy2j
27-05-2013, 14:47
.
This is excellent news indeed
After saying earlier in the thread that I wasn't finding The Fall creepy because I've previously seen Jamie Dornan being likeable, I was scared of him last night alright. The way he was skulking around that woman's house and also posing the mannequin was very creepy indeed!
I can't wait for next week's episode.
tammyy2j
10-06-2013, 15:58
I was disappointed with finale
It's now been eight months since he filmed his final scenes as Hollyoaks favourite Brendan Brady, but actor Emmett Scanlan is as busy as ever with a new part on BBC Three zombie drama In The Flesh and a second series of BBC Two's The Fall on the way.
Digital Spy caught up with Emmett this week for an in-depth chat about his new projects, life after soapland and whether he'd ever be tempted to revisit the role of Brendan…
How did you become involved with In The Flesh and what attracted you to the show?
"Doing In The Flesh was a no-brainer for me, no pun intended. I was asked to come in and read for this new character that the show's writer Dominic Mitchell was developing - Simon, one of the disciples of the Undead Prophet. Dominic is a fantastic writer. His spin on the zombie genre is so unique and so layered, so you'd be a fool if it didn't excite you.
"I'm a zombie fan anyway - from James Gunn's Dawn of the Dead to The Walking Dead. In my opinion, most actors want to be in a zombie movie or a zombie series, especially since The Walking Dead - but hardly anybody would want to be the zombie. Most actors want to be in a vampire series or a vampire movie, and in that case, most actors want to be the vampire. Why? Because the vampire has a personality.
"In The Flesh gives the personality back to the zombie. Now for the first time, it's cool not only to be in a zombie series but also to be the zombie itself. That's what attracted me to the project. I owe a lot to the producer John Rushton, the director Jim O'Hanlon, David Shaw in casting, Katie McAleese, Ann Harrison Baxter, Hilary Martin and the brilliant Ben Stephenson, as they were all instrumental in me getting this job."
In The Flesh had a lot of critical acclaim earlier this year. Were you a fan when it aired?
"Honestly, I hadn't even heard of the show until my agent called me. I've been offered a lot of interesting gigs since leaving 'Oaks, none of which I felt were the right move for me. I've said before that for the longevity of any career, the next move has to be the right move.
"My agent asked me to watch the first series, and if I responded well to it, then we could move forward. It was only three episodes so three hours later, it was finished and I sat staring into space for about ten minutes.
"I thought the whole production was perfect. I knew I wanted to be part of it, and I knew I'd fight for it. It was what I'd been waiting for as it ticked all the boxes. I don't know how Dominic is going to top the first season, but so far the scripts are going in the right direction, and there's no better man to do it than that fella himself."
Can you tell us a bit more about Simon? He's being billed as a "charismatic" character and a bit of a departure from your bad boy roles.
"Simon is in control. When he speaks, you listen. He is charismatic, but I'd like to think that's the case with all of the recent characters I've played. Although they've all been very different from each other, they've had a certain persona which means you can't turn away, and Simon is in that category.
"Simon comes from a dark past and his first life wasn't an easy one. He suffered a lot, which was self-inflicted. He was probably a troubled, educated genius - someone that might be the life and soul of a party, but alone deep inside his head. Now that he's reborn as a zombie, he's more alive than he was when he was breathing. The Undead Prophet has given him purpose.
"What's important is that Dominic doesn't write characters who are good guys and bad guys - that's too predictable and two-dimensional. He writes characters that teeter on both sides. There's a reason and purpose for every action and it is justified within that character's world. You read a scene, and there are 20 different ways to interpret it, because it's so layered. There's just so much to work with."
You started filming last week, so how it's all going? Are you pleased with the scripts for series two?
"We've only gotten the first two, after that no-one in the cast really knows the finer details of what's happening - whether we live or die, or die again. The only people who know are the powers that be, of course - but I love that. Mind you, I signed on without reading one script, such was my belief in the show. The first two scripts for my character don't require too many filming days, but it's a lovely introduction.
"More importantly the storyline thus far as a whole is great. That's what you sign up for - the story. If you've got a great story, the characters will follow. The first block is being directed by Jim O'Hanlon. He did the smash hit A Touch of Cloth. He's just brilliant to be around and so good at his job. He's helped me massively with finding Simon. We're both new to the fold so we've both got our own ideas of who he is, and we've been able to marry those opinions - I think he's great."
Do you think the show will appeal to your Hollyoaks fan base?
"I think the show will appeal to anyone who likes good TV. I'm already part of a great show, so all I've got to do now is remember my lines and not mess it up! I have no doubt that Brendan Brady and Charlie Casanova fans will tune in, as those guys are so loyal and I'm very, very lucky to have them."
When do you start filming The Fall's second series?
"Directly after In The Flesh. There's literally no respite, which is awesome because I'm intolerable when I'm left to my own devices! I need to be constantly working and moving. I'm in such a privileged position to be working on projects that mean something and scripts that would leave any actor salivating. With writers like Allan Cubitt and Dominic Mitchell, most of your homework is done for you, before you even step on set. That's an incredibly liberating process because then it's your job to breathe some life into it."
We enjoyed watching your character Glen Martin in The Fall. Will he be more prominent in series two?
"I was completely shocked by the reaction to the character in The Fall. I don't even think Brendan Brady had as good a reaction when he first arrived in Hollyoaks. He'll have more to do in series two, that's for sure, but honestly I'm just happy to be part of that show. There's no such thing as a small part, just a small actor. At the end of the day, I just want to help tell the story, so even if the part was less involved than last year, I would still do it. But it's not - it's even bigger."
Have you been told much about the story for series two of The Fall yet?
"I had lunch with the producer Julian Stephens, who's absolutely brilliant. Without giving anything away, it sounds fantastic. I can't wait to be reunited with that cast and crew. There's a high expectation now after the huge success of the first season, but I'm sure it's one that everyone is relishing."
We all know how popular The Fall was, but some viewers were frustrated over the 'cliffhanger' ending and the long wait between series. What did you make of that reaction?
"The frustration stems from how invested people were in the show, which is a testament to the show itself. Critically it had glowing reviews across the board and the ratings spoke for themselves. In my opinion, good things come to those who invest and great things come to those who wait. Series two will definitely be worth the wait."
When you left Hollyoaks, you were in talks to do another series with the show's production company Lime Pictures. Is that still happening?
"That's a strange one. It was mentioned to me but I didn't hear anything about it after I left. Maybe they just wanted to give me a line to say while I was leaving, or maybe they were planning it, I don't know. But I'm not complaining - Lime and Channel 4 were so good to me and I love them for it. If they still want to do a show together, then I'm all ears."
This will probably sound like a silly question, but do you still feel it was the right choice to leave Hollyoaks when you did?
"Yeah, it was the right thing to do. I had an incredibly fortuitous couple of years and worked with some beautiful people, but I need to keep moving as a person. I want to leave behind a box set of great characters that I'm proud of when I die. There are so many things I want to do, so many people I want to work with and so many mistakes I still have to make. I thought it was the right thing to do, not just for me but for the fans as well."
What did you make of Brendan's exit? Should he have been killed off rather than ending up in prison?
"I thought he should have died. It was so close to going that way, right up until the last minute. I did try to push for it, as in my opinion, the week didn't need the Friday episode [where Brendan was revealed to be alive after the sniper shooting]. I think we would have had a great shot for 'Best Exit' at the British Soap Awards if it had gone that way.
"It's a massive testament to the writing team and producers that even the die-hard Brady fans thought it would have been a fitting ending if the character had died. It was a story that was so strong that the story itself came first for the fans, rather than the love for the character. At the same time, I have to say that I was so privileged with everything I had, and the producers and writers at Hollyoaks were so wonderful to me, so I'd be a prick to complain. But I just did, so I am."
Do you still watch the show?
"I don't watch it, even though I said I was going to before I left. I changed my mind, as I found that once I left the job, it was hard to keep watching it - and that's a reflection on me. You can't move forward by looking back, and I needed to let that chapter of my life go. In saying that, my boy Kieron [Richardson] texted me to watch one of his episodes. I did, and I thought he was brilliant."
Would you ever be tempted to return, especially for Kieron's exit if he ever decided to leave?
"Of course I'd be tempted. Loyalty demands it. Even though I'm finished there, I don't think Brendan and Steven are. I don't think their story is. I've learned to never say never. I do love the people who make the show - those heroes behind the camera. So because of that, maybe I would come back in the future if Hollyoaks and the public want it. Maybe Brendan will come back - to be with Steven or to die, or both."
What do 'Stendan' and 'Stug' mean to you?
"A digestive biscuit and tea. Two things that shouldn't go together end up making the perfect marriage. That's Stendan. Leave that biscuit in too long, it gets soggy and limp, breaks off and ruins your tea. That's Stug. Stug to me is a wet biscuit that's ruined my f**king tea."
Are you still in regular contact with many of the cast?
"Not with anyone currently in the show, though I will rarely keep in touch with some of them. I do keep in touch with a handful of people who have left the show - people who I worked with closely. We meet up and continue to have good times together, there's no doubt about that."
What about your former housemate Joe Tracini (Dennis)?
"Joe used to be an opinionated gobsh**e. There was a lot of truth in it, and he'd tell you that himself. I liked that about him. Now he's a slut. He loves everyone and everything, which as we all know isn't possible.
"It's like when Opal Fruits changed their name to Starburst to appeal to a wider 'audience'. Regardless of how they dress it up, they're still Opal Fruits. And I'm sure deep down he's still a gobsh**e. I hope so."
How do you feel about all of the tweets you still get about Brendan?
"The fans rode that journey with me and I'm very proud of what I created in such a short time. They can get in touch with me for as long as they want and talk about Brendan, Steven and Stendan. I'll never not be moved by the impact that it's had on people."
It's now been eight months since he filmed his final scenes as Hollyoaks favourite Brendan Brady, but actor Emmett Scanlan is as busy as ever with a new part on BBC Three zombie drama In The Flesh and a second series of BBC Two's The Fall on the way.
Digital Spy caught up with Emmett this week for an in-depth chat about his new projects, life after soapland and whether he'd ever be tempted to revisit the role of Brendan…
How did you become involved with In The Flesh and what attracted you to the show?
"Doing In The Flesh was a no-brainer for me, no pun intended. I was asked to come in and read for this new character that the show's writer Dominic Mitchell was developing - Simon, one of the disciples of the Undead Prophet. Dominic is a fantastic writer. His spin on the zombie genre is so unique and so layered, so you'd be a fool if it didn't excite you.
"I'm a zombie fan anyway - from James Gunn's Dawn of the Dead to The Walking Dead. In my opinion, most actors want to be in a zombie movie or a zombie series, especially since The Walking Dead - but hardly anybody would want to be the zombie. Most actors want to be in a vampire series or a vampire movie, and in that case, most actors want to be the vampire. Why? Because the vampire has a personality.
"In The Flesh gives the personality back to the zombie. Now for the first time, it's cool not only to be in a zombie series but also to be the zombie itself. That's what attracted me to the project. I owe a lot to the producer John Rushton, the director Jim O'Hanlon, David Shaw in casting, Katie McAleese, Ann Harrison Baxter, Hilary Martin and the brilliant Ben Stephenson, as they were all instrumental in me getting this job."
In The Flesh had a lot of critical acclaim earlier this year. Were you a fan when it aired?
"Honestly, I hadn't even heard of the show until my agent called me. I've been offered a lot of interesting gigs since leaving 'Oaks, none of which I felt were the right move for me. I've said before that for the longevity of any career, the next move has to be the right move.
"My agent asked me to watch the first series, and if I responded well to it, then we could move forward. It was only three episodes so three hours later, it was finished and I sat staring into space for about ten minutes.
"I thought the whole production was perfect. I knew I wanted to be part of it, and I knew I'd fight for it. It was what I'd been waiting for as it ticked all the boxes. I don't know how Dominic is going to top the first season, but so far the scripts are going in the right direction, and there's no better man to do it than that fella himself."
Can you tell us a bit more about Simon? He's being billed as a "charismatic" character and a bit of a departure from your bad boy roles.
"Simon is in control. When he speaks, you listen. He is charismatic, but I'd like to think that's the case with all of the recent characters I've played. Although they've all been very different from each other, they've had a certain persona which means you can't turn away, and Simon is in that category.
"Simon comes from a dark past and his first life wasn't an easy one. He suffered a lot, which was self-inflicted. He was probably a troubled, educated genius - someone that might be the life and soul of a party, but alone deep inside his head. Now that he's reborn as a zombie, he's more alive than he was when he was breathing. The Undead Prophet has given him purpose.
"What's important is that Dominic doesn't write characters who are good guys and bad guys - that's too predictable and two-dimensional. He writes characters that teeter on both sides. There's a reason and purpose for every action and it is justified within that character's world. You read a scene, and there are 20 different ways to interpret it, because it's so layered. There's just so much to work with."
You started filming last week, so how it's all going? Are you pleased with the scripts for series two?
"We've only gotten the first two, after that no-one in the cast really knows the finer details of what's happening - whether we live or die, or die again. The only people who know are the powers that be, of course - but I love that. Mind you, I signed on without reading one script, such was my belief in the show. The first two scripts for my character don't require too many filming days, but it's a lovely introduction.
"More importantly the storyline thus far as a whole is great. That's what you sign up for - the story. If you've got a great story, the characters will follow. The first block is being directed by Jim O'Hanlon. He did the smash hit A Touch of Cloth. He's just brilliant to be around and so good at his job. He's helped me massively with finding Simon. We're both new to the fold so we've both got our own ideas of who he is, and we've been able to marry those opinions - I think he's great."
Do you think the show will appeal to your Hollyoaks fan base?
"I think the show will appeal to anyone who likes good TV. I'm already part of a great show, so all I've got to do now is remember my lines and not mess it up! I have no doubt that Brendan Brady and Charlie Casanova fans will tune in, as those guys are so loyal and I'm very, very lucky to have them."
When do you start filming The Fall's second series?
"Directly after In The Flesh. There's literally no respite, which is awesome because I'm intolerable when I'm left to my own devices! I need to be constantly working and moving. I'm in such a privileged position to be working on projects that mean something and scripts that would leave any actor salivating. With writers like Allan Cubitt and Dominic Mitchell, most of your homework is done for you, before you even step on set. That's an incredibly liberating process because then it's your job to breathe some life into it."
We enjoyed watching your character Glen Martin in The Fall. Will he be more prominent in series two?
"I was completely shocked by the reaction to the character in The Fall. I don't even think Brendan Brady had as good a reaction when he first arrived in Hollyoaks. He'll have more to do in series two, that's for sure, but honestly I'm just happy to be part of that show. There's no such thing as a small part, just a small actor. At the end of the day, I just want to help tell the story, so even if the part was less involved than last year, I would still do it. But it's not - it's even bigger."
Have you been told much about the story for series two of The Fall yet?
"I had lunch with the producer Julian Stephens, who's absolutely brilliant. Without giving anything away, it sounds fantastic. I can't wait to be reunited with that cast and crew. There's a high expectation now after the huge success of the first season, but I'm sure it's one that everyone is relishing."
We all know how popular The Fall was, but some viewers were frustrated over the 'cliffhanger' ending and the long wait between series. What did you make of that reaction?
"The frustration stems from how invested people were in the show, which is a testament to the show itself. Critically it had glowing reviews across the board and the ratings spoke for themselves. In my opinion, good things come to those who invest and great things come to those who wait. Series two will definitely be worth the wait."
When you left Hollyoaks, you were in talks to do another series with the show's production company Lime Pictures. Is that still happening?
"That's a strange one. It was mentioned to me but I didn't hear anything about it after I left. Maybe they just wanted to give me a line to say while I was leaving, or maybe they were planning it, I don't know. But I'm not complaining - Lime and Channel 4 were so good to me and I love them for it. If they still want to do a show together, then I'm all ears."
This will probably sound like a silly question, but do you still feel it was the right choice to leave Hollyoaks when you did?
"Yeah, it was the right thing to do. I had an incredibly fortuitous couple of years and worked with some beautiful people, but I need to keep moving as a person. I want to leave behind a box set of great characters that I'm proud of when I die. There are so many things I want to do, so many people I want to work with and so many mistakes I still have to make. I thought it was the right thing to do, not just for me but for the fans as well."
What did you make of Brendan's exit? Should he have been killed off rather than ending up in prison?
"I thought he should have died. It was so close to going that way, right up until the last minute. I did try to push for it, as in my opinion, the week didn't need the Friday episode [where Brendan was revealed to be alive after the sniper shooting]. I think we would have had a great shot for 'Best Exit' at the British Soap Awards if it had gone that way.
"It's a massive testament to the writing team and producers that even the die-hard Brady fans thought it would have been a fitting ending if the character had died. It was a story that was so strong that the story itself came first for the fans, rather than the love for the character. At the same time, I have to say that I was so privileged with everything I had, and the producers and writers at Hollyoaks were so wonderful to me, so I'd be a prick to complain. But I just did, so I am."
Do you still watch the show?
"I don't watch it, even though I said I was going to before I left. I changed my mind, as I found that once I left the job, it was hard to keep watching it - and that's a reflection on me. You can't move forward by looking back, and I needed to let that chapter of my life go. In saying that, my boy Kieron [Richardson] texted me to watch one of his episodes. I did, and I thought he was brilliant."
Would you ever be tempted to return, especially for Kieron's exit if he ever decided to leave?
"Of course I'd be tempted. Loyalty demands it. Even though I'm finished there, I don't think Brendan and Steven are. I don't think their story is. I've learned to never say never. I do love the people who make the show - those heroes behind the camera. So because of that, maybe I would come back in the future if Hollyoaks and the public want it. Maybe Brendan will come back - to be with Steven or to die, or both."
What do 'Stendan' and 'Stug' mean to you?
"A digestive biscuit and tea. Two things that shouldn't go together end up making the perfect marriage. That's Stendan. Leave that biscuit in too long, it gets soggy and limp, breaks off and ruins your tea. That's Stug. Stug to me is a wet biscuit that's ruined my f**king tea."
Are you still in regular contact with many of the cast?
"Not with anyone currently in the show, though I will rarely keep in touch with some of them. I do keep in touch with a handful of people who have left the show - people who I worked with closely. We meet up and continue to have good times together, there's no doubt about that."
What about your former housemate Joe Tracini (Dennis)?
"Joe used to be an opinionated gobsh**e. There was a lot of truth in it, and he'd tell you that himself. I liked that about him. Now he's a slut. He loves everyone and everything, which as we all know isn't possible.
"It's like when Opal Fruits changed their name to Starburst to appeal to a wider 'audience'. Regardless of how they dress it up, they're still Opal Fruits. And I'm sure deep down he's still a gobsh**e. I hope so."
How do you feel about all of the tweets you still get about Brendan?
"The fans rode that journey with me and I'm very proud of what I created in such a short time. They can get in touch with me for as long as they want and talk about Brendan, Steven and Stendan. I'll never not be moved by the impact that it's had on people."
tammyy2j
18-07-2014, 00:08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXuJONpEpXg&feature=player_embedded
That's got me all excited about the next series now :D
DaVeyWaVey
19-03-2015, 18:31
I love this show - absolutely fantastic. I have both series on DVD now and I started rewatching it all last night. Gillian Anderson is beautiful and I find her mesmerising in her role as Stella Gibson - her character is such an enigma and I think Gillian plays her to perfection.
Jamie Dornan is brilliant too. The series is so tense, but I love how scenes are left to linger and the plots and characters move on at a slow and steady pace. It makes things all the more gripping. I love the music in the series too, it really adds to the eerie atmosphere.
DaVeyWaVey
19-03-2015, 18:31
I love this show - absolutely fantastic. I have both series on DVD now and I started rewatching it all last night. Gillian Anderson is beautiful and I find her mesmerising in her role as Stella Gibson - her character is such an enigma and I think Gillian plays her to perfection.
Jamie Dornan is brilliant too. The series is so tense, but I love how scenes are left to linger and the plots and characters move on at a slow and steady pace. It makes things all the more gripping. I love the music in the series too, it really adds to the eerie atmosphere.
I love this show - absolutely fantastic. I have both series on DVD now and I started rewatching it all last night. Gillian Anderson is beautiful and I find her mesmerising in her role as Stella Gibson - her character is such an enigma and I think Gillian plays her to perfection.
Jamie Dornan is brilliant too. The series is so tense, but I love how scenes are left to linger and the plots and characters move on at a slow and steady pace. It makes things all the more gripping. I love the music in the series too, it really adds to the eerie atmosphere.
I love it too! I was so glad to hear there's going to be a third series and that Jamie Dornan will be back (there was some doubt about this given his new-found superstar status). I wonder what his role will be in the third series?
Gillian Anderson's wonderful as Stella and she's amazingly charismatic in the role - she's even more charismatic than Jamie!
Do you watch Hannibal? Gillian plays an even more enigmatic character in that, although she only has a recurring role. She'll be a regular in the upcoming third season, which I'm really looking forward to (and not only for Gillian!).
DaVeyWaVey
19-03-2015, 21:39
I love it too! I was so glad to hear there's going to be a third series and that Jamie Dornan will be back (there was some doubt about this given his new-found superstar status). I wonder what his role will be in the third series?
Gillian Anderson's wonderful as Stella and she's amazingly charismatic in the role - she's even more charismatic than Jamie!
Do you watch Hannibal? Gillian plays an even more enigmatic character in that, although she only has a recurring role. She'll be a regular in the upcoming third season, which I'm really looking forward to (and not only for Gillian!).
I'm really pleased there will be a third series too. I was really hoping there would be, as the second series ended on such a cliffhanger! And I feel like there are more hidden depths to explore with Stella and Spector. The interview scene between the pair of them was excellently done.
I've been trying to think of what the premise will be for the third series though - I think it's obvious now that Spector will have survived the shooting. My theory is that time will have moved on significantly, Spector is in jail but it turns out he has killed more women that Stella doesn't know about, and there are some cold cases that she needs to resolve. Or he is manipulating the babysitter girl who was obsessed with him from inside jail, and she is now killing for him. And Stella has to catch her with Spector's help. Or maybe Spector breaks out of prison and starts killing again?! I can't wait to see what the writer has up his sleeve.
I've never seen Hannibal, I think I'm going to have to watch it as I've become a big fan of Gillian's from watching this series. I hadn't seen her in anything before this. And I'm pleased Jamie is returning to the series, even though he's now busy with the 50 shades films.
DaVeyWaVey
19-03-2015, 21:39
I love it too! I was so glad to hear there's going to be a third series and that Jamie Dornan will be back (there was some doubt about this given his new-found superstar status). I wonder what his role will be in the third series?
Gillian Anderson's wonderful as Stella and she's amazingly charismatic in the role - she's even more charismatic than Jamie!
Do you watch Hannibal? Gillian plays an even more enigmatic character in that, although she only has a recurring role. She'll be a regular in the upcoming third season, which I'm really looking forward to (and not only for Gillian!).
I'm really pleased there will be a third series too. I was really hoping there would be, as the second series ended on such a cliffhanger! And I feel like there are more hidden depths to explore with Stella and Spector. The interview scene between the pair of them was excellently done.
I've been trying to think of what the premise will be for the third series though - I think it's obvious now that Spector will have survived the shooting. My theory is that time will have moved on significantly, Spector is in jail but it turns out he has killed more women that Stella doesn't know about, and there are some cold cases that she needs to resolve. Or he is manipulating the babysitter girl who was obsessed with him from inside jail, and she is now killing for him. And Stella has to catch her with Spector's help. Or maybe Spector breaks out of prison and starts killing again?! I can't wait to see what the writer has up his sleeve.
I've never seen Hannibal, I think I'm going to have to watch it as I've become a big fan of Gillian's from watching this series. I hadn't seen her in anything before this. And I'm pleased Jamie is returning to the series, even though he's now busy with the 50 shades films.
I'm really pleased there will be a third series too. I was really hoping there would be, as the second series ended on such a cliffhanger! And I feel like there are more hidden depths to explore with Stella and Spector. The interview scene between the pair of them was excellently done.
I've been trying to think of what the premise will be for the third series though - I think it's obvious now that Spector will have survived the shooting. My theory is that time will have moved on significantly, Spector is in jail but it turns out he has killed more women that Stella doesn't know about, and there are some cold cases that she needs to resolve. Or he is manipulating the babysitter girl who was obsessed with him from inside jail, and she is now killing for him. And Stella has to catch her with Spector's help. Or maybe Spector breaks out of prison and starts killing again?! I can't wait to see what the writer has up his sleeve.
I've never seen Hannibal, I think I'm going to have to watch it as I've become a big fan of Gillian's from watching this series. I hadn't seen her in anything before this. And I'm pleased Jamie is returning to the series, even though he's now busy with the 50 shades films.
The interview scene between Stella and Spector was completely mesmerising. I'd been waiting for their confrontation with baited breath throughout the whole two series and I wasn't disappointed.
I think Spector manipulating the babysitter who's in his thrall is a good premise for a third series. She would do anything for him, the stupid girl, and wouldn't be above torturing and killing for his amusement.
Hannibal's fantastic but you need a strong stomach as it's incredibly gory! I keep my eyes closed during those scenes but the writing and acting are worth it in my opinion. I was already a big fan of Mads Mikkelsen who plays Hannibal Lector.
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