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BRITBOX STARS TALK ABOUT WHAT TV MOVED, AMUSED AND INSPIRED THEM

JAMES NESBITT

The actor’s top picks on BritBox: ● Cracker ● ● Boys From The Blackstuff ● Black Adder ● ● The Good Life ● ● The Young Ones

“The notion of being part of a new platform that really does try and bring different genres together but all underscored by a certain quality is very exciting.”

Is there anything you watched growing up that you have great memories of? first really recall, in terms of drama, Boys From The Blackstuff. I thought it was just extraordinary. And The Monocled Mutineer. A lot of those programmes really gripped me. I also grew up watching a lot of comedy with my mum actually. Fawlty Towers was must see. I was quite young for that but I immediately understood the absurdity, the pain of it, the farce. The Two Ronnies I used to love. My mum actually looked a bit like which was a bit odd! I also grew up watching sport and still love Match of The Day. To grow up on all those dramas and now to be part of it has been one of the great journeys to be honest.

Can you tell us why you were interested in getting involved in the launch of BritBox? has been very, very good to me. I’ve been working for a long now. I’m one of those people who people think is the youngest on set but I’m by far the oldest! I’ve been working since I left drama school in 1988. The day after I left drama school I got a TV job so it’s been very good to me. Obviously it’s a huge part of my life so I’m delighted to still be involved, to still be challenged by it.

BritBox is all about bringing British TV to one place is that a good thing? I think it’s great. There’s so much access now which clearly, I think, upped the quality of a lot of the work. When I started out there were only four channels you could work for and probably two really in terms of drama. I was very lucky to come from where there was a huge canvas to tell different stories. The notion of being part of a new platform that really does try and bring different genres together but all underscored by a certain quality is very exciting.

Britain’s got a really rich history of programme making, why do you think that is? I think there’s such diversity here. I think there’s so many different stories to tell. These islands are not vast in terms of their size but in terms of the rich and diverse people, stories, backgrounds and history - there’s been so many platforms on which to create. Speaking for myself, I grew up in Northern Ireland at a very difficult time but out of trouble comes great art. I think that is something that is mirrored throughout the history of these islands in terms of the creativity of these islands. And, of course, as much as generations change, stories are still timeless. As long as children are born there will always be stories to tell.

Do you agree with the popular view that we’re in a golden age for television? It’s still hard to get programmes made but it’s very easy to make a programme, in a sense. To make a programme all you need is a camera, you need someone who has a vision and all of a sudden you start a creative process. Young people are so much more aware now. They’re more encouraged to tell stories. We have a rich pool that starts quite early on now that then is developed. Competition is always very good and I think that’s healthy. I think everything comes back to diversity. I think there’s such a rich diversity here. We live in very complicated and worrying times, in a way, where diversity is being somewhat suppressed yet it will always flower and I think through that there’s so much to be told.

What do you think the ingredients are for great, timeless television? It’s a complicated jigsaw that. Imagination, good storytelling, good narrative, good characters. It doesn’t matter what the genre is, say we’re talking about fantasy - great fantasies are working so much now because the characters are still believable. I think, as loathe as I am to often say it, so much is down to writing. You could be the best actor in the world but it’s hard to make bad writing work, but the worst actor in the world can make good writing work. We’re very blessed here, we have good storytellers and good writers.

Obviously Cold Feet is on BritBox and it’s been a big part of your life. In terms of opening doors Cold Feet was so great to be involved in. They made the for no money at all but funnily enough it was a script that went around and everyone wanted to be involved in it. That’s a long time ago, over 20 years. I remember at the time saying to my agent “I want this.” For many reasons I wanted it - from a personal point of view it felt like a good opportunity to have a Northern Irish accent out there throughout the UK, in a television drama that had nothing to do with the conflict so it didn’t have all that baggage. I felt the writing was good, the characters were accessible and people could identify with them. I felt they were real, not plastic, we all looked normal and people grew up with those characters. That’s one of the secrets of a long lasting drama or comedy drama, people begin to identify themselves in some of the characters so we were able to reflect some of their own lives.

Do you think the future looks good for British television? I hope so. Ultimately, it’s there to entertain but it can be there to educate, to distract, to challenge. I think that, not only drama, television in general is continuing to do that. And people rely on television not just for entertainment but I think it can be seen as a force for good. There are too many people sometimes who are not involved, often in politics, that tell us it’s a force for bad and that’s not true, it’s a very good force.

LESLEY MANVILLE

“Mum reminds me of Chekhov in many ways. ​ It’s a rather brilliant series, I think.”

What are you watching on television at the moment? I don’t watch a lot of television and I think I’m behaving like the rest of the country, and the rest of the world in that we watch television so differently now. We don’t have to sit down at 9pm, which is a shame in some ways. I suppose because of the life I lead, sometimes I’m filming and sometimes I’m doing plays. So, I may want to watch something in the middle of the day because that is my wind-down time. The on-demand thing is so great for me, and I guess that is why BritBox is such a good idea and why I should get it! I always try and find time to watch ? I love that, a bit of political . I’m a fan as well. I like , he makes me laugh a lot.

What about growing up? Are there any shows you have fond memories of? Growing up I remember Thursday nights, it was my favourite night of the week. My dad was always at the British Legion playing snooker so me, my Mum and my sister would watch , Top of the Pops followed by the The Man from U.N.C.L.E. I had such a crush on David McCallum who played Illya Kuryakin. I can even remember his character’s name and I don’t remember anyone's names anymore! That was great growing up. I still love a gag where someone drops their trousers or even falls over. Buster Keaton was brilliant and . I think my parents liked , it was only twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30pm. That was a mainstay.

Any particular show or TV actor that sparked the path you are on now? I can’t say there was a single actor who inspired me. But certainly, when there was the whole wave of realistic drama like Cathy Come Home and the early Mike Leigh films for the BBC and when I was in my 20s I got to work with him which was bliss. At the time that was really groundbreaking because you wouldn’t think that people would want to watch a ‘kitchen-sink drama’ but actually it sparked a whole wave because people wanted to see it. Having something that was so real, films like Sunday Bloody Sunday. That whole wave was quite an influential time in my life. Although I didn’t quite intellectualise what it meant to me, something about it was going in and touching a nerve with me.

Why did you decide to sign up and help with the campaign for BritBox? I was in America and Canada recently doing press for ‘Mum’ which is on BritBox and I was quite taken aback by how popular it is. There are a lot of expats living in Canada and they want to see British shows that they miss, likewise in America. I think it’s a good deal, you get a lot of bang for your buck! I think it’s a great thing to be advertising.

Britain has a very rich history of programme making and creativity. Where do you think that stems from? I think it stems from different ingredients, writing and directors. I think the pool of actors we have here have different backgrounds and continuation of theatre. There is no doubt about it, you will learn how to do your work in the theatre. And you can bring all that experience, knowledge and ability to function in a more taking care of yourself kind-of-a-way in television and film. I think the pool of actors and the breadth of experience you can get in this country is phenomenal. It’s very unusual for actors in America to do theatre and television, they tend to do one or the other. Whereas here everyone does everything. You really do learn a lot from all of those areas and bring it to the other one when you go to work.

There something about the craft, that translates across? I think so yes. We’ve got an enormous pool of very talented writers, who are now writing a lot more for television. 15-20 years ago when writers were really struggling to get films made, particularly independent films, they were channeling their work towards television and television is really benefiting from that. Less so in this country but in America you look at actors who you would normally think of as movie stars, are now going into television because the projects are so rich.

We’re in a golden age of television in that respect? We really are. Nobody has a feeling or a stigma about in anymore, like ‘I’m only doing a telly’. Nobody thinks that at all.

Mum is coming to BritBox. Can you tell us a bit about your memories of making it? We’ve made three series of Mum and that is all we were going to make. The writers knew it would have that arc and it would end with series three. A comedy, it certainly is, but that doesn’t really tell the full story of Mum because it's very moving and emotional. It’s basically the story of a mum, a mother and a woman who has lost her husband. It’s a very slow burn of her falling in love over two years with a very old close family friend. It’s a middle-aged love story really, which is rather beautiful. In the mix of it you have my character Kathy and Michael (Peter Mullan) and then you’ve got these slightly more crazy characters around them - her son, his girlfriend, her brother and his very snobby partner and her deceased husband’s parents - who supply the comedy. Kathy and Michael are the sane centre of it all. You kind of want the audience to be thinking what Kathy is thinking. It’s a beautifully written comedy that is quite hard to describe, it is so unique. You can be very moved and taken with the emotion and the family tangle and how complex that is. And then someone will say something that is side-splittingly funny! But it’s not gags, it’s humour through character.

It sounds like it has a lot of textures to it? It really has, yes. It reminds me of Chekhov in many ways. It’s a rather brilliant series, I think.

Cranford is also on this service. Do you particularly enjoy period-dramas? I’ve always done period-dramas throughout my career. But again, you look at the script and see how good it is and base it on that. Cranford was really star-studded, everyone was in it! It was so full of British . Again beautifully written and beautifully directed. I like doing a period drama, you get to wear funny clothes and try to eat your lunch in a corset, delightful things like that! We had a really nice time doing that.

What was your relationship with your character Mrs Rose? It was quite nice for me to play her. I had to crack this rather gentle Morningside accent. She had a scottish accent but it was very gentle. She's in love with the doctor and foolishly thinks he is in love with her too. There is all of that comedy to play. Imedla Staunton is just hilarious in it, I remember doing a scene with her and she comes into Mrs Rose’s and sees a sewing box or something and she did the most brilliant, it wasn’t even a double-take, a triple-take of clocking this sewing box! I have really fond memories of that time.

MOLLY WINDSOR

Molly’s must see series on BritBox: ● Happy Valley ● The Syndicate ● Bottom ● Fawlty Towers ● French & Saunders ● Rev ● The Vicar Of Dibley ● : As Seen On TV ● Attenborough At 90 ● : Journey To The Edge of The World

“Three Girls will never just be a job to me, it never was ​ in the first place. The character I played was a real person as were all of the characters in the show. It’s taking that story and putting it on a platform in which people are really affected by it and people understand it.”

What made you decide to sign up and be a part of the BritBox launch? I’m really pleased to be involved with BritBox because I think we have so much TV and film that we should be really proud of. And to have a streaming platform where it is all in one place, that is something I’d love to have myself. I can’t wait!

How is it for you being involved in this industry? I really love my job, I love filming and I love the idea of everyone getting together to create something. I think that is a really good feeling when you show that to an audience and it’s that magic you have on set. You all work together to create a moment, something truthful, something that means something to you and sharing that is such a great experience.

Do you think television is in a golden age at the moment? There is so much great British TV, film and theatre and I think all three mediums are upping their game. They’re all interlocking now and working together which is exciting to see.

It feels as if theatre is translating to film and now film is translating back to theatre. Yes. Even things like Fleabag, you can now watch that at the cinema, a live show of it.

What do you think are the ingredients for great television? I think a great team. Again, whatever platform it is, it’s about telling a story. If you’re in a great team of people who all care about that story. You then can’t really go wrong.

Three Girls is coming to BritBox, a harrowing story, how was the filming experience? I think Three Girls will never just be a job to me. It never was in the first place. I played a real person as were all of the characters in the show, it’s taking that story and putting it on a platform in which people are really affected by it and understand it. Reading in the news about grooming scandals you understand it on an intellectual level but to watch a drama, that is when it hits you in the gut and in the heart and that can really drive change. Hopefully, that is what Three Girls did.

Is there an obligation because it is a real person that you’re portraying? It makes it go beyond a role. These girls have told this true story that happened to them over and over and they’ve been called liars and they’ve not been trusted and they’ve had to fight for their story to be told, and to get justice. So, to hand that over to a TV channel is a really scary thing to do but they did it with such bravery and courage. So, you think if they were that brave then we need to be on it and we need to do them justice.

Is there any British TV you’re watching at the moment? Any guilty pleasures? I think everyone has been blown away by Fleabag, that is such brilliant original writing. British TV at its best! I was brought up watching Fawlty Towers, Bottom, The Vicar of Dibley. ​ ​ All the classics! They always stay close to my heart.

Was there any television or actors that inspired you when growing up? An actor that has really inspired me is Denise Gough. Her work translates through TV, film and theatre and she is brilliant in whatever she goes near. She did a series called Paula, it was brilliant.

SAMSON KAYO

What made you decide to sign up and be a part of the BritBox launch? I love the idea! Bringing all of these programmes to one space so everyone can view when they want for as long as they want. I think it’s a really good idea. I think we’ve lost a bunch of shows that everyone holds dear. You go on to the websites thinking it’ll be there when you come back and then it’s gone!

Why do you think Britain is good at making television? I think it’s our creative minds. We’re day-dreamers. I always think that when people are so quiet on trains, it’s because they’re day-dreaming about something creative. It’s probably not the case, but that is what I want to think! In history, all of our shows have taught us, they’ve taught myself. All the shows I’ve seen previously have been instilled in me and in our subconscious and in our forefront. We take from that and adapt it what we create now. I just think we’re really smart people!

How do you think Britain is contributing to the current golden age of TV? Original ideas and original shows, thinking outside of the box. Creating content that people wouldn’t expect but will love, I think that plays a big part. I think it is a golden age but it’s always going to be a golden age!

What ingredients do you think are necessary to create a brilliant piece of TV? An original idea. A lot of the shows that I like i’ve never seen done before. They’re all brilliant ideas. Fleabag that Phoebe [Waller-Bridge] created made drama funny. You’ll be crying and laughing in the space of 30 seconds. I think it’s really fine and the way she did that was really clever; an original!

Famalam in on BritBox. What are some of our experiences of making it? I wish BritBox would let us make a video of behind-the-scenes of Famalam, it would probably get cancelled! It’s amazing, it’s fun! There were so many ideas that we threw into the pot for Famalam that are very risky. That is one thing I loved doing with the show, we took a lot of risks and we could get in trouble for a lot of stuff. It’s not a risk without reward. All of the sketches that we made, made sense. They were talking about life and how we grow up in Britain today. It was a bit of a dig but it made sense.

It seems like you guys had a pretty good relationship, like you’re a family. Yes! We’re all a family. In that writer’s room, it's like no holds barred, don’t worry about what you say, it stays in this room! We just bonded together and we hang out with each other outside of work because we met on set.

What do you think the future holds for British television? Are we on the right track? I think we’re on a good track. I think we’re on a trajectory, a bit slow diverse-wise but we are slowly getting better. I think we need to open it more to females, different sexualities and different genres in sexualities. And just allow people with a great idea to come in, because a lot of the ideas that have been amazing wouldn’t have been seen as good or exciting ten years ago. I feel like we’re getting better slowly, we need to let go of the reins and let the ideas come in. Hopefully BritBox can push that agenda.

Any British shows that you’re loving at the moment? Man Like Mobeen! I’m loving that. I love Guz and his dress-sense, I need to steal his dress-sense. , I started watching it really late but that show is amazing. is amazing and Phoebe [Waller-Bridge] is a genius. What else am I watching? Famalam! That is so cringe! Enterprice, Kayode’s [Ewumi] show, who is amazing. There are quite a few nice comedies coming out. And , love that!

Do you have any childhood memories of shows you watched growing up? On British TV there wasn’t any TV shows I could relate to, other than Desmond’s which was quite popular. I never got to watch The Real McCoy and everyone says Famalam! I think I saw two or three sketches on YouTube of Felix Dexter stuff and then I went into a Felix Dexter wormhole and watched all of his comedy. The Real McCoy needs to come as a package to BritBox, now!

Was there any television or actors that inspired you when growing up? One person who really inspired me was Jocelyn Jee Esien from 3 Non-Blondes. When I was younger I lived in a house with my mum and seven aunts at one time and you were never in control of the remote! But that show everyone loved! I used to watch that and Jocelyn just killing it playing so many different characters. It reminded me of my family and I really admired her. It was one of the sparks that got me into acting and character comedy.

JESSICA HYNES

Jessica selects her favourite BritBox series:

● Lark Rise To Candleford ● French & Saunders ● Gavin & Stacey ● Only Fools & Horses ● Porridge ● The Two Ronnies ● The Young Ones ● Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV ● The Life Of Birds ● Wild China

Can you pick out some of your favourite shows on BritBox? The first one that jumps out is Victoria Wood which was definitely one of my favourites growing up, but also The Young Ones which was the first kind of real TV that felt like anarchy and very much aimed at, well, punk was really kind of in at the time and it felt like nothing else. It was like pure rebellion. Very inspired and I loved that show. , for obvious reasons I loved French and Saunders always. I don’t know anyone who didn’t love . How could you not love Only Fools and Horses?

Larkrise to Candleford - I can’t remember what it’s about but I remember really loving it and I’m very excited about being able to watch it again. Without BritBox I might have seen it in a ​ ​ basket in a secondhand shop somewhere but now it’s in the ‘computer sky’ so that’s good news!

I loved Porridge. Just the dynamic and the performances of and . He was so funny with his toilet paper! And The Two Ronnies - that was the beginning of the classic Saturday night telly, for me anyway. Ronnie Corbett with his storytelling segment and his brilliant jumpers - I actually got to work with him once and it was pretty amazing. And then Gavin and Stacey I’ve chosen as a new show but it’s probably oldy worldy already.

ANNA FRIEL

Anna’s favourite BritBox choices include:

● Happy Valley ● ● Wolf Hall ● Cold Feet ● Cracker ● House Of Cards ● Jewel In The Crown ● Band Of Gold ● ● Little Boy Blue ● Love Island

“I think the key to a successful drama is to say something new and fresh. I think with Butterfly it was certainly that. It was risque, it was controversial, it dealt with topics that made people ask questions.”

Tell us why you’ve decided to be part of the BritBox launch? First of all, I think the name it’s been given of BritBox just sounds really cool. Anything that honours Britain I am very much behind. A collaboration between BBC and ITV who are usually very much rivals. That’s a wonderful thing. It’s all about joining together and collaborating and showcasing the best of British drama so to be asked to be a part of that is indeed an honour.

Britain’s got such a rich history of programme making, why do you think that is? I think because we’ve been doing it for such a long time. I often get told when I work in America by Americans what great schooling we have. I went to improvisation classes for years and it’s just hard work and you get out what you put in. And it’s all about the long game. Britain does it so beautifully, we’ve always had such wonderful films and I think we’re going through a wonderful era where we’re at the top of our game. And we’ve got such history and great stories to tell, not just remakes.

There’s a real appreciation for the craft of making television in this country, isn’t there? Very much about the craft. I think there’s careers that span for years and years and years. I think we have some of the greatest crews in the world. There is no production without a wonderful crew and they’re the unsung heroes. I sometimes spend so much time on a set that I go home looking for a boom! There’s great craft and great artistry and they now take great British crew to other countries to show them how it’s done!

People say we’re in a golden age of television at the moment, do you agree? Everybody’s got bigger TVs and better sound systems. Unfortunately the world of cinema is suffering. Hopefully that will come back up to where it should be. But the golden age of television - definitely. I think the line between film and television has blurred so much and going back to the whole concept of collaboration - co-productions between America and the UK, or France and the UK. I think the marrying of any combination makes for great drama.

What are the ingredients for television that lasts the test of time? Great characters and it always stems from good writing. Without good writing you haven’t really got anything and I think we have some of the best writers in the world.

Butterfly is on BritBox now, tell us a bit about the show. I think the key to a successful drama is to say something new and fresh. I think with Butterfly it was certainly that. It was risque, it was controversial, it dealt with topics that made people ask questions. It’s important to be brave and make people ask questions. I think drama is a wonderful forum to create discussion and debate and I think it’s a very touching and moving story. And a wonderful actor who plays Max/Maxine.

Marcella is obviously on the service as well - how was it making that? Well, for me, it’s been over five years and I’ve just finished filming series 3 in . You’ve got a very complicated and rich character - she’s a gift of a character because you’ve got so many avenues you can take it down. Any character that’s interesting for me is a mixture of vulnerability and strength because it takes as much guts to be vulnerable as it does to be strong. That’s the start of all good, female, strong lead interesting roles. I think television has given us that incredible platform.

What does the future hold for British film and television, are we on a good trajectory? I hope it keeps going in the way it is doing! More collaborations and I think there’s now so many platforms. Audiences now ask a lot because the standard has been set so high so let’s keep pushing those boundaries. Be political, be controversial and not for the sake of it but just don’t be scared because nothing’s interesting if you work from a basis of fear.

What TV are you watching now? Any guilty pleasures? Guilty pleasures for me are cookery programmes. I find them very very relaxing because it takes me out of a world of so many questions.

What TV do you remember loving growing up? TV I really remember, I would have to say two of the best detective shows which made me fearful of taking on Marcella. I thought it’s been done as well as it can be and those two shows were Prime Suspect with and Cracker with Robbie Coltrane. That’s where it all started. I loved those shows and my mum and dad allowed me to stay up and watch them. If you like those, maybe they’ll lead you on to Marcella!

JOHN SIMM

● Happy Valley ● Life On Mars ● ● Cracker ● Prime Suspect ● This Life ● Boys From The Blackstff ● ● Fawlty Towers ● Harry Enfield & Chums ● Inside Number 9 ● ● Only Fools & Horses ● Porridge ● Rev ● That Mitchell & Webb Look ● The Two Ronnies ● Have I Got News For You ● Attenborough At 90 ● The Life Of Birds

“I’ve only happy memories from Life on Mars. To be asked to be in a 70s cop show was a dream come true. It was hard work because my character was in every single scene, but a lot of fun with one of my best friends, Phil Glenister. It was just great stuff to do.”

What made you decide to sign up and be a part of the BritBox launch? It’s an honour to be asked really. It proves I’ve done enough British TV to merit being included in BritBox which is a great honour for me. I think it’s a great thing to have all British shows in one place.

Britain's got a rich history of programme making, where does that stem from? Britain has a rich history of drama. Britain has Shakespeare, so I think it stems from that. It’s always been great for the arts, in music, film and TV. It’s got a great history of programme-making from the classic Ealing comedies. Britain has a great history full stop. A great artistic history, so it’s great to be celebrating it.

How do you think Britain is contributing to the current golden age of television? I think Britain's contribution is that we still make great programmes. It is a golden age of television at the moment. There is so much of it which is a good thing and a bad thing. It’s a challenge for everybody to go one better than the last show. People are binge-watching so I guess people will miss a lot of stuff but they’re going to watch a lot of stuff but it’s not going anywhere so they can always catch it a couple of years down the line. It is a golden age.

Life on Mars is on BritBox, do you have any fond memories from making it? Only happy memories from Life on Mars. To be asked to be in a 70s cop show was a dream come true. It was hard work because my character was in every single scene, but a lot of fun with one of my best friends, Phil Glenister. It was just great stuff to do.

Trauma is also on Britbox, that was more of a harrowing part? It was a very challenging part to play but those are often the best parts. I’d always wanted to work with Adrian [Lester]. It was a fun shoot, weirdly. Sometimes that is the case, the heavier the subject matter, you have to make the set a fun place otherwise it would be awful to go to work. Marc Evans, the director and the wonderful Lyndsey Marshal who I had always wanted to work with as well, we had fun strangely.

Any British shows that you’re loving at the moment? Any guilty pleasures? I don’t think I've got any guilty pleasures. At the moment I’m doing a play so I’m quite busy reading scripts and things. I haven’t watched a lot of dramas but I have watched Succession, which I am absolutely loving. Apart from that I’m watching football and the news!

Do you have any childhood memories of shows you watched growing up? When I was a kid I was obsessed with Starsky and Hutch, The Six Million Dollar Man and Happy Days. I loved Fawlty Towers and , which I think arguably is the greatest TV show ever made. The Professionals, we used to love watching that and The Sweeney. It really helped with Life on Mars because I based Sam Tyler’s look on Bodie from The Professionals because he had short hair. I used to be able to stay up and watch that.

Any television actors that inspired you when growing up? British actors that were an inspiration for me were and . Working-class actors because I came from a working-class background.