Connor Calland plays Jordan Price, cousin to Syd Spencer, whose dad Spence was the hard nut
extremist, declaring war on the Indian community in Hollyoaks. Connor’s
character is currently grooming Juliet in the County Line’s story. Before
Hollyoaks, Connor also appeared Doctor Who episode Resolution, and voiced a
character in Sins of Captain John, for Big Finish Torchwood. We caught up with
Connor during a break in filming.
Hi Connor thanks so
much for the Interview. I’ve been catching up with Hollyoaks, and your
character Jordan. I’m not sure I like him, but you can see how he comes across
as a likeable person to some. Did you
have to research for your role?
Understanding how a
drug dealer operates in quite the way he does. He doesn’t come across like the
hard man Liam Donovan. Were you given much instruction on how to play him?
Connor: Not a character to like, so that's a
good thing! A bit of research and had some guidance but some free reign as
well!
Is Jordan a regular character
or in just for a certain storyline?
Connor: The character I'm currently playing on
Hollyoaks, Jordan Price, has come in as the bad guy in this year’s County Lines
story line. Hopefully I'll be able to stay within the cast past the storyline!
Can you tell us more
about your character (for those who maybe don't follow Hollyoaks?)
Connor: So, Jordan is a drug dealer whose come
from a drug gang within a city centre and moved into the Hollyoaks Village. He
uses his manipulation to make the younger and more vulnerable characters work
for him. It's a relevant and intense storyline that hasn't been tackled by any
soap!
As well as playing
Jordan Price in Hollyoaks you have been filming two films and a television
series, can you tell us anything about these roles? (The King's Man, Last Night
in Soho and We Hunt Together)
Connor: Unfortunately, I can't say much about
these productions (but a lot is to be found online if you search) But what I
can say is, I have been given the most unbelievable experiences and
opportunities to work alongside brilliantly established actors and up and
coming emerging actors. I've also been able to work with incredible directors
and efficient crew! The fact I've been able to work alongside these people has
really reassured me that the career path I've chosen is a reachable one! And
I'm consistently overwhelmed by the support that is shared online! Thank you
all for being so kind!
Who or what inspired
you to become an actor and what was your first big break?
Connor: I think when I started it was less from
inspiration and more to build on my social skills, I was a quiet kid and my
parents wanted me to socialise more, so I started at after school clubs etc.
And instantly fell in love with acting, I've obviously found inspiration along
my journey though! The first ever public play I did was an amateur show of Our
Day Out, but my first professional job was a Torchwood Audio play!
How did the Torchwood
audio role come about? Have you done more than The Sins of Captain John Hart?
Connor: Lucky for me I'm close friends with
Scott Hancock who did a radio project with my year group whilst I was at RWCMD
and I was able to keep in contact with him after I graduated and am able to
call him a close friend! Fortunately for me I've also been involved with some
other Big Finish Productions, The Sins of Captain John Hart, Torchwood
Series 6 Volume 1 and also Doctor Who: Vanguard.
What was your role in
the Sins of Captain John and what was it like working alongside James Marsters
or were you in separate booths?
Connor: The role I played was quite a while ago
now, but from what I remember it was a fun and dopey character to play! We all
had our own booths whilst we worked but got to sit and drink tea and coffee
together in the green room! James and the rest of the cast were such a delight
and shared great and invaluable life lessons for me. Which at the time, I was
just starting my professional career!
Had you heard of
Torchwood or Doctor Who before you took on your roles?
Connor: Of course, I had! I was a big fan of
Doctor Who during Christopher Eccleston’s time as he went to Pendleton College
where I studied. And my favourite Doctor is of course, David Tennant!
Had you always wanted
to be an actor, or had you been inspired in another role prior?
Connor: I tried different hobbies growing up,
some more peculiar than others, from, Claymation, photography, zoology, writing
etc. But it all eventually came back to acting one way or another.
Where did you train to
become an actor? Did you start out in school plays or go to drama
school/classes? Or learn in Uni?
Connor: I started out at after school clubs
then I found an amateur dramatic club outside of school called "A Will
And A Way" which is now known as "Stolen Thread
Productions", I then studied performing arts at college BTEC level at
Pendleton College which progressed me to move onto higher education in the form
of Drama School, which was at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD).
So, although I've only been doing professional work for just 2 years, it's been
a long journey that I've been grinding away at.
What jobs did you take
before you became an actor, or while you were working through auditions, to
keep a roof over your head?
Connor: I've worked a few different jobs,
mainly sports Retail, Manchester United, Nike, Adidas, Sports Direct, Call
Centre Sales, Theatre Usher, promoter... Maybe some other jobs I've forgotten
about?
When you're not acting,
how do you relax?
Connor: What is relax? Whenever I get a spare minute,
I'm usually in bed catching up on sleep or currently I'm attempting to stay
healthy by going to the gym!
Have you ever worked
behind the camera?
Connor: I've helped friends when they've
experimented with film making a few times now. Boom, camera, polly board etc.
Its good fun!
Now for some random
questions, if you could only take 3 things with you on a desert island, what
would they be and why?
Connor: I want to be the smarty pants who says
a boat, water filtration system and endless tins of Spam...
If you ever had the
opportunity to work with an A list actor/actress in a genre of your choice, who
would it be and what kind of film? Unless you've already achieved this, who was
it and in what film?
Connor: I think the person who’s solidified as
a brilliant actor to me, especially after his last film, Joaquin Phoenix. His
commitment to roles is utterly beautiful. I'd love to work with him in a Taika
Waititi film.
Thank you, Connor for an
awesome interview
Photos
used in the cover art and throughout the Interview
were
courtesy of BBC Doctor Who, Big Finish Torchwood,
and
Channel 4 Hollyoaks.
Headshot
photo credit goes to Jess Revell
