squarelady
26-06-2005, 18:59
COVER STORY: I WAS FURIOUS AT EASTENDERS WHEN THEY CHUCKED ME OUT OF THE SHOW
Jun 26 2005
Jake Maskall says bad boy Danny wasn't given a Square deal
By Steve Hendry
Jake Maskall must feel like a man who saw his numbers come up on the lottery on the one and only Saturday he forgot to buy a ticket
The EastEnders star got the biggest break of his career when he won the role of Danny Moon - the loose cannon cousin of Alfie (Shane Richie).
Along with screen brother Jake - played by Office star Joel Beckett - Danny was brought in at the end of last year to help revive the flagging soap, reeling from some of its lowest ratings.
Danny was seen as a bit of a ladies' man - enjoying a romance with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), a one-night stand with Sasha Perkins (Jemma Walker) and catching the eye of Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton).
But just when he was settling into life in Albert Square, it was announced both 'new Moons' were being axed.
Jake said: 'It was a massive shock. It came at a point where I thought Joel and were really getting settled. was full of the joys and loving every moment of it so it was a big blow for both of us.
'Nobody quite understood the decisions behind it. It was a political decision. But I guess at the end of the day it's an actor's life - volatile.'
The Moons were given the chop following the abrupt departure of former executive producer Kathleen Hutchison, who brought them in.
BBC drama boss John Yorke took over and he is believed to have given Jake and Joel the bullet because he felt there were too many gangsters in Walford.
Whatever the reason, the eclipse of the brothers Moon left Jake, 29, reeling and he admits he needed some time to clear his head.
He said: 'I was going on holiday to Venezuela for two weeks just as we were told and that was good timing. needed that time to digest it and being somewhere where was the only English person around was perfect.
'I was angry and I had no way to express it. A holiday on the beach and a bit of trekking in the jungle allowed me to get back to myself.
'What happened is just part of life's ups and downs and concentrated on turning a negative into a positive.
'I came back afresh and I knew I had another couple of months filming so I just concentrated on giving the best performance I could.'
When Jake returned, however, he was hit with another blow.
Fans who had taken a shine to the new Moons had made their feelings clear, prompting a rethink from new executive producer Kate Harwood.
Joel had been asked to stay on in Walford... but there was no reprieve for Jake.
He said: 'The day I got back from holiday I heard Joel was going back. It was actually Joel who had to tell me which thought was a little poor on EastEnders' part. But it's just life as an actor, I guess.
'I am pleased for Joel. We've become great, great friends and I look forward to seeing where they take him. He's a big talent and hope they make the best of him.'
There are many who think Jake has been treated poorly. Especially as he gave up a great deal when he joined.
The high profile which comes with the show led to him sharing with the world the fact he is gay. Not that he's complaining.
He said: 'It is my business, at the end of the day. It's my private life and I want to keep it private. But when joined the show I was asked if there was anything they needed to know.
'I decided to put it out there because I've got nothing to be ashamed of and would rather have done it on my terms.
'I looked at Will Young and I learned a lot from him and the way he was treated. Honesty is the best policy - nothing can come back and bite you.'
Jake has now filmed his final scenes and he will be going out with pyrotechnics next week when the Moon brothers fall out big-time with gangster Johnny Allen (Billy Murray).
Jake said: 'The BBC have done me proud. They have given me the most amazing storyline and go out with a bang.
'It's been a brilliant learning experience, eight months on a top soap working with TV cameras and a cast like this. I've loved every minute of the journey I've been on.
'My character was supposed to be killed off after a month so I've had eight and can only be grateful.'
Currently weighing up offers - which include a call from Hollywood - Jake is biding his time before making his next move.
He is spending time catching up with friends and family, including his sister and her family in Edinburgh, and pondering a return to EastEnders sometime in the future.
He said: 'Would I go back? I'd seriously consider it. I've loved playing Danny Moon. It's been a dream to play him.
'The next job is important to me. It's leaving the past behind and moving on to the future.
'I got a call from Hollywood about a film but it's early stages, nothing I can talk about and something which might come to nothing. But the fact they've shown interest is fantastic.
'First thing, though, I'm taking some time to see friends and my family. They've been so supportive.
'My sister's reaction has been disappointment because she won't see me in the living room four times a week... I've told her she'll just have to go to the cinema. Here's hoping
It was actually Joel who had to tell me which thought was a little poor on EastEnders' part.
Getting Joel to tell him the news about the axing is incredibly low of 'Enders boses. He's the bigger man to sit and say how thankful he is for the experience though. Gorgeous bloke...look forward to seeing more of him and his exit. I'm sure he'll do Danny justice.
Jun 26 2005
Jake Maskall says bad boy Danny wasn't given a Square deal
By Steve Hendry
Jake Maskall must feel like a man who saw his numbers come up on the lottery on the one and only Saturday he forgot to buy a ticket
The EastEnders star got the biggest break of his career when he won the role of Danny Moon - the loose cannon cousin of Alfie (Shane Richie).
Along with screen brother Jake - played by Office star Joel Beckett - Danny was brought in at the end of last year to help revive the flagging soap, reeling from some of its lowest ratings.
Danny was seen as a bit of a ladies' man - enjoying a romance with Sam Mitchell (Kim Medcalf), a one-night stand with Sasha Perkins (Jemma Walker) and catching the eye of Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton).
But just when he was settling into life in Albert Square, it was announced both 'new Moons' were being axed.
Jake said: 'It was a massive shock. It came at a point where I thought Joel and were really getting settled. was full of the joys and loving every moment of it so it was a big blow for both of us.
'Nobody quite understood the decisions behind it. It was a political decision. But I guess at the end of the day it's an actor's life - volatile.'
The Moons were given the chop following the abrupt departure of former executive producer Kathleen Hutchison, who brought them in.
BBC drama boss John Yorke took over and he is believed to have given Jake and Joel the bullet because he felt there were too many gangsters in Walford.
Whatever the reason, the eclipse of the brothers Moon left Jake, 29, reeling and he admits he needed some time to clear his head.
He said: 'I was going on holiday to Venezuela for two weeks just as we were told and that was good timing. needed that time to digest it and being somewhere where was the only English person around was perfect.
'I was angry and I had no way to express it. A holiday on the beach and a bit of trekking in the jungle allowed me to get back to myself.
'What happened is just part of life's ups and downs and concentrated on turning a negative into a positive.
'I came back afresh and I knew I had another couple of months filming so I just concentrated on giving the best performance I could.'
When Jake returned, however, he was hit with another blow.
Fans who had taken a shine to the new Moons had made their feelings clear, prompting a rethink from new executive producer Kate Harwood.
Joel had been asked to stay on in Walford... but there was no reprieve for Jake.
He said: 'The day I got back from holiday I heard Joel was going back. It was actually Joel who had to tell me which thought was a little poor on EastEnders' part. But it's just life as an actor, I guess.
'I am pleased for Joel. We've become great, great friends and I look forward to seeing where they take him. He's a big talent and hope they make the best of him.'
There are many who think Jake has been treated poorly. Especially as he gave up a great deal when he joined.
The high profile which comes with the show led to him sharing with the world the fact he is gay. Not that he's complaining.
He said: 'It is my business, at the end of the day. It's my private life and I want to keep it private. But when joined the show I was asked if there was anything they needed to know.
'I decided to put it out there because I've got nothing to be ashamed of and would rather have done it on my terms.
'I looked at Will Young and I learned a lot from him and the way he was treated. Honesty is the best policy - nothing can come back and bite you.'
Jake has now filmed his final scenes and he will be going out with pyrotechnics next week when the Moon brothers fall out big-time with gangster Johnny Allen (Billy Murray).
Jake said: 'The BBC have done me proud. They have given me the most amazing storyline and go out with a bang.
'It's been a brilliant learning experience, eight months on a top soap working with TV cameras and a cast like this. I've loved every minute of the journey I've been on.
'My character was supposed to be killed off after a month so I've had eight and can only be grateful.'
Currently weighing up offers - which include a call from Hollywood - Jake is biding his time before making his next move.
He is spending time catching up with friends and family, including his sister and her family in Edinburgh, and pondering a return to EastEnders sometime in the future.
He said: 'Would I go back? I'd seriously consider it. I've loved playing Danny Moon. It's been a dream to play him.
'The next job is important to me. It's leaving the past behind and moving on to the future.
'I got a call from Hollywood about a film but it's early stages, nothing I can talk about and something which might come to nothing. But the fact they've shown interest is fantastic.
'First thing, though, I'm taking some time to see friends and my family. They've been so supportive.
'My sister's reaction has been disappointment because she won't see me in the living room four times a week... I've told her she'll just have to go to the cinema. Here's hoping
It was actually Joel who had to tell me which thought was a little poor on EastEnders' part.
Getting Joel to tell him the news about the axing is incredibly low of 'Enders boses. He's the bigger man to sit and say how thankful he is for the experience though. Gorgeous bloke...look forward to seeing more of him and his exit. I'm sure he'll do Danny justice.