Post by Meggzie on Jun 15, 2006 20:46:44 GMT 1
Hello magazine
Ben Jones
How did you research the part of Greg?
"I did very little research in terms of character. A director called Ray Kilby advised me to let the character take shape slowly as the series went on, and that's what I did. However, when Greg became the police surgeon, I shadowed a real forensic surgeon in Stoke and saw first hand how he deals with the drunks, drug-addicts, petty criminals, domestic violence cases and dead bodies - yes, dead bodies (we examined two of them!) - that he gets presented with during the course of his work."
What has been the most challenging scene you've filmed in your TV career so far?
"That's a very good question and very hard to answer. It's hard to remember individual scenes when you shoot 185 episodes a year! However I remember a scene with the actor Tom Manion, which I found very challenging as, not only was it a very difficult scene to pitch emotionally, but also it was with Tom - an actor I greatly admire - and, if the truth be told, I was worried sick he'd think I was rubbish!"
What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?
"Easy. I proposed to my wife Christmas 2004 and she said "Yes". Best present a man could get…"
What is your favourite play or screenplay, and why?
"Oh man, here's where you see how ill-read I am. I don't generally have favourites of anything, actually... colours, music, films. There are too many good things out there. But, the last play I saw was the Couch Potato Theatre Company's Pantomime at RADA which my friend - and former doctor - Laurie Penry-Jones was in. I haven't laughed so much in ages. It was fantastic."
Is it hard to portray a gay character in a romantic storyline? Do you find it very different from playing a hetrosexual romance?
"In some ways it's easier than a straight romance, because with two straight men playing a gay relationship you don't have to worry the other person thinks you fancy them, or that you're crossing any unspoken boundaries. Of course the challenge is to play the truth of the relationship, which can be very difficult. Luckily Greg's current love interest (airing in April) is played by a fantastic actor with the same values as me and we're enjoying the challenge."
What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone?
"I have no idea. You'll have to ask that someone! I do love romance though and my wife and I are always trying to make each other melt!"
What do you like to do in your free time?
"I love to be around my friends. I love good food - cooking and eating it! - good wine and good company. I play a lot of cricket, I keep fit (to counterbalance my love of food!) and I like to watch films. For a special treat sometimes I will get slightly drunk in the middle of the afternoon with a mate in town. There's something very decadent about drinking in the afternoon while most people are at work. Of course this only happens about twice a year!"
What are your three most prized possessions?
"My guitars and a fob-watch which my Dad gave me on my wedding day. It was his and he had it cleaned and engraved. It's my pride and joy - as is he. I think possessions are just things and don't really get too attached to anything. It's people I get attached to, and places. If I owned the Isle of Man, it would be my most prized possession."
If you were to be stranded on a desert island with someone famous, who would you want it to be and why?
"Ooh, erm… Chico so I could drown him. No! That's awful. He's about to be a father after all. I would love to hang out with Matthew Goode, star of Woody Allen's Match Point. He's just so very cool."
Ben Jones
How did you research the part of Greg?
"I did very little research in terms of character. A director called Ray Kilby advised me to let the character take shape slowly as the series went on, and that's what I did. However, when Greg became the police surgeon, I shadowed a real forensic surgeon in Stoke and saw first hand how he deals with the drunks, drug-addicts, petty criminals, domestic violence cases and dead bodies - yes, dead bodies (we examined two of them!) - that he gets presented with during the course of his work."
What has been the most challenging scene you've filmed in your TV career so far?
"That's a very good question and very hard to answer. It's hard to remember individual scenes when you shoot 185 episodes a year! However I remember a scene with the actor Tom Manion, which I found very challenging as, not only was it a very difficult scene to pitch emotionally, but also it was with Tom - an actor I greatly admire - and, if the truth be told, I was worried sick he'd think I was rubbish!"
What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?
"Easy. I proposed to my wife Christmas 2004 and she said "Yes". Best present a man could get…"
What is your favourite play or screenplay, and why?
"Oh man, here's where you see how ill-read I am. I don't generally have favourites of anything, actually... colours, music, films. There are too many good things out there. But, the last play I saw was the Couch Potato Theatre Company's Pantomime at RADA which my friend - and former doctor - Laurie Penry-Jones was in. I haven't laughed so much in ages. It was fantastic."
Is it hard to portray a gay character in a romantic storyline? Do you find it very different from playing a hetrosexual romance?
"In some ways it's easier than a straight romance, because with two straight men playing a gay relationship you don't have to worry the other person thinks you fancy them, or that you're crossing any unspoken boundaries. Of course the challenge is to play the truth of the relationship, which can be very difficult. Luckily Greg's current love interest (airing in April) is played by a fantastic actor with the same values as me and we're enjoying the challenge."
What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone?
"I have no idea. You'll have to ask that someone! I do love romance though and my wife and I are always trying to make each other melt!"
What do you like to do in your free time?
"I love to be around my friends. I love good food - cooking and eating it! - good wine and good company. I play a lot of cricket, I keep fit (to counterbalance my love of food!) and I like to watch films. For a special treat sometimes I will get slightly drunk in the middle of the afternoon with a mate in town. There's something very decadent about drinking in the afternoon while most people are at work. Of course this only happens about twice a year!"
What are your three most prized possessions?
"My guitars and a fob-watch which my Dad gave me on my wedding day. It was his and he had it cleaned and engraved. It's my pride and joy - as is he. I think possessions are just things and don't really get too attached to anything. It's people I get attached to, and places. If I owned the Isle of Man, it would be my most prized possession."
If you were to be stranded on a desert island with someone famous, who would you want it to be and why?
"Ooh, erm… Chico so I could drown him. No! That's awful. He's about to be a father after all. I would love to hang out with Matthew Goode, star of Woody Allen's Match Point. He's just so very cool."
