GIVE A DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTER YOU PLAY?
Jack is hastily promoted as the new headmaster at Waterloo Road following the nervous breakdown of the previous one. He is divorced and disillusioned but still commands some respect by his gruffness.
DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER IN 3 WORDS:
Bullish, frazzled and redeemable.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT JACK?
I like the fact that Jack has flaws, flaws are more interesting to play generally. Jack is a good man at heart.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT JACK?
His smoking.
WHAT ARE JACK'S LIFE VALUES AND DO THESE DIFFER FROM YOUR OWN?
Jack tells himself he wants things smooth - the quiet life. But underneath he wants to make a difference. Too much comfort makes me uncomfortable.
HOW ARE YOU SIMILAR TO JACK?
We look similar and share a collar size.
DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE LOVE INTEREST?
Apart from a quick slice with Steph which is a mistake, I don't know...Jack is seduced by Steph, but realises immediately this is a mistake.
WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS PERSON?
A moment of madness.
WHICH CHARACTER AT WATERLOO ROAD DOES JACK RELATE TO BEST?
Jack initially relates best to Kim whose much more motherly style of teaching he secretly admires. But soon this includes Andrew - all three are determined to take on the school and make it better.
DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD MAKE A GOOD HEADMASTER?
I admire teachers enormously but I'm not sure I'd have the dedication.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
East London/Essex.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
North East, London.
IF YOU HAD TO TEACH WHAT SUBJECT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TEACH MOST?
Art.
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF ARRIVING AT THE WATERLOO ROAD SET?
It was surprising to see how authentic the location was, quite grim but perfect for the story. It didn't really remind me of my school.
DO YOU SEE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND A SCHOOL YOU KNOW OR ATTENDED?
I went to a comprehensive so yes, but the buildings were quite different.
DESCRIBE THE STAFF ROOM AT WATERLOO ROAD?
A room with chairs.
DO YOU THINK WATERLOO ROAD IS A REALISTIC PORTRAYAL OF A SCHOOL?
Yes. It deals with serious social and educational issues. The school isn't a convenient backdrop, it's an integral part of the story.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLE?
Oliver in "As You Like It".
WERE YOU A MEMBER OF THE DRAMA CLUB ETC AT SCHOOL?
On weekends I attended Sylvia Young's.
WHAT ROLE ARE YOU BEST KNOWN FOR?
The last one probably - Gavin in Cutting It.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORYLINE COMING UP AND WHY?
I like Jack's journey of self re-discovery. He becomes the teacher he wanted to be when he started out.
WHAT HAVE YOU ENJOYED MOST ABOUT RECORDING WATERLOO ROAD.
Working with 200 kids on the large scenes is quite a baptism of fire.
HAVE YOU HAD A HOLIDAY THIS YEAR?
I went to France with my family.
DID YOU MAKE ANY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS THIS YEAR?
Yes, no more Mr Nice Guy.
DO YOU SUPPORT A FOOTBALL TEAM?
Arsenal nominally. My interest in football waxes and wanes.
HAVE YOU ANY LONG TERM GOALS OR AMBITIONS FOR THE FUTURE?
Make more of my own work and write some more.
