In
the episode Countrycide, you played one of the villagers pictured in Helen
Sherman’s kitchen. I remember spotting
your scowling face, least I think you were scowling. How did that role come about and how did you
feel playing the role of a cannibal – even though you weren’t actually
cannibalising anybody, but how was it received by your family?
Justin: The role came about when I actually
got a phone call out of the blue and was called up to the set the next day. The
location base was in Cardiff so we where driven out into the Brecon beacons
where they filmed some exterior shots in an old quarry, then a day or so after
we had to film the interiors of the house where all of us are sitting round the
table this was in the same set as the hub. I am the cannibal who gets shot after
Maxine, its my leg that get shot in the scene. That was a scary one to do, as I
am not used to using squibs and you have to be so careful and fall the right
way. As they are a mini explosive as pointed out to me by Danny Hargreaves so
that did shock me, but was put at ease by him and the stunt coordinator Nick. I
really enjoyed the part and it still holds a place in my top fave EPs. My
family enjoyed it.
(squibs)
In
Doctor Who Rise of the Cybermen you played the role of the bodyguard to the
President of Great Britain. Was it
easier getting roles within Doctor Who at that time, and have you played any
roles in the latest episodes of Who?
Justin: At the time of Doctor Who I was just
getting back in to acting as I had taken a break after drama school and wanted
to make a little money before acting, so to get the call about Doctor Who I
really couldn't say no, I haven't been in any other eps due to continuity.
Those
two roles weren’t speaking parts, have you taken roles where you have a
speaking part?
Justin: Yes I had a lead role in a short
film called the money tree and also role in Daziel and Pascoe as bobby the
doorman, Also a role in a welsh language series called Yr Pris as part of the
brotherhood run by the late Philip Madoc. Which was a great series. Which I
still haven't actually watched. As sometimes I really don't like watching
myself on screen.
Are
there any funny moments during filming on Who and Torchwood that you can share
with us?
Justin: Funny well the scenes were filmed in a house
in Penarth and what you don’t see is the foot of snow that fell during the
night the cybermen burst through the window so they had to clear all the snow
before filming that scene and also the one when they are standing outside in
front of the doctor. Also I can tell you that the special chair that the late
great Roger Lloyd Pack uses had to be specially built due to Roger breaking his
foot before it came to filming The rise of the Cybermen.
During
scenes there can be a lot of hanging around, what did you used to do to pass
the time between takes?
Justin: I usually have a book or paper to
read or sometimes usually chat with other folk. It was the days before android
phones. So no selfies with David Tennant or Billie Piper then.
Have
you worked in other parts of the industry, such as lighting, cameraman,
director, etc?.
Justin: I am afraid I haven't, I took nearly
7 years out of acting to have a family, but I did do script writing to keep my
mind flowing.
On
your CV you’ve listed Skateboarding, have you ever taken a role where
skateboarding was involved and do you have any links to clips where we can see
your moves on the board? (I’m very good
at falling without any grace whatsoever on a skateboard, and don’t get me
started on rollerskates)
Justin: No thank god. Too old now and
probably take me longer to heal these days.
Other
than playing a cannibal in Torchwood have you played any other gruesome roles?
Justin: I haven't as yet I usually play the
serious one.
Do
macabre roles fascinate you or are you quite squeamish? Do you come from an
acting family?
Justin: I am not squeamish and macabre roles
do challenge me. I do like to push the boundaries and psyche to the most. Well
on my Dads side yes there are actors. One is my relations is Daniel Evans who
is now the the director of Sheffield theatre. But has had roles in many a TV,
Film and theatre. Doctor who he played Daniel Llewellyn in the
2005 Christmas special, He
has just directed The Full Monty stage show which starts a run in the west end
in Feb and is a brilliant show.
Do
you have a favourite actor/actress you’d love to appear with in a film/tv/play?
Justin: Indeed I do Christina Ricci has
always been a favourite of mine. Also would love to act with David Tennant
again a very talented actor.
Who
is your favourite all time actor and have you ever had the opportunity of
meeting any of your favourite actors?
Justin: I don't have a favourite as such due
to every actor/actress as they are all talented in different ways.
Do
you ever go to any of the Torchwood or Who Cons when they’re on?
Justin: I haven't I am afraid due to family
commitment.
Will
you be going to the Starfury event in April?
Justin: It actually depends if I am filming
around that time.
When
you’re not acting what do you do to relax?
Justin: I used to actually drive a coach for
Edwards Coaches while in between Jobs which I actually enjoyed doing while not
acting.
What
are you favourite tv programmes and which do you avidly watch and talk about
more than others?
Justin: Peppa pig due to my 2 year old
watching it. :-)
Are
you a whiz in the kitchen or are you more of a take-out guy?
Justin: Love my cooking, there is nothing
like preparing and cooking a meal done by hand.
If
you weren’t an actor, what other career might you have followed?
Justin: Actually it would have been
animation as many moons ago I had a chance to work for Walt Disney and sadly
turned it down.
What
was the last book you read?
Justin: The Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett.
Cannot beat him on his discworld series.
In
the Doctor Who episode you were up against Cybermen but what are your ultimate
favourite WHO monsters/aliens?
Justin: Has to be the Daleks as they are the
most funny humour wise and disturbing monsters ever
Who
is your favourite Doctor and who was your first growing up?
Justin: David Tennant is my favourite as he
brought something new and exciting to the Doctor and Peter Davison was the one
while growing up.
If
you had the opportunity of playing the Doctor, who would you want as your
companion and where would you like the Tardis to take you on adventures?
Justin: Well my companion would be my mum so
we could go and see my dad again and bring all the great memories flooding
back.
A
lot of people are mad daft on football and very patriotic about who they
support, are you the same or do you merely (like me) view the score draws to
see who beat or lost against your team and are happy to leave it at that?
Justin: Don't follow football sorry to all
you footy fans.
How
far have you travelled to play a part?
Justin: Well I have travelled to a parallel
earth for the role in Doctor Who. That was a strange journey.
Are
you working on any projects at the moment that you can share with us?
Justin: I have just auditioned for a role in
an American SciFi Film which I cannot disclose. But it does really read like a
blockbuster film. Plus I hope that they do think of bringing Torchwood back.
Fans
Questions:
Scott
Lewis: What made you get into acting?
Was it something you did from a young age and if not why did you put it off
until later in life?
Justin: Hi Scott, I always knew I wanted to
be in the industry but it took me a long time to find out I wanted to be an
actor. Back many years ago I got asked to act in a film and that is what made
me decide, after a short stint in drama school I haven't looked back since and
no other job actually fulfils me like acting.
And
the last word from Justin...
I would like to Thank
all at Project: Torchwood and the Fans for keeping such a great series alive in
everyone's mind and maybe your voices will bring it back. The cast and crew of
Torchwood and Doctor Who you were the best to work with and to my agent
Veronica Lazar at Avanti Talent Management and to Simon Davies and Stuart Issac
and all at Edwards Coaches for being so understanding towards my acting career
Photo source
©BBC Doctor Who 1963
©BBC Torchwood 2006
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