You’re in MERCS can you tell us a little about
your role in the film? Are you fighting with or against Ben Loyd-Holmes
character?
Ross: Ben and I worked together on a big worldwide
tv series called 'Da Vinci's Demons’, we hit it off together from the second we
met. I absolutely love the guy...he is funny and we share so many common
interests. He asked me to play the role of Cass in his 'film.'...yes that is
right Ben has written the film...he is intelligent guy..! My character in the
film is one of the 'crew'...one of Ben's fellow Mercs. I can't give too much
away about what happens between Ben's character and mine in the film as it
would be a huge spoiler for the film...but in short, Cass is a friend and long
term soldier buddy to 'Preach ' (Ben's character). Preach asked Cass to help
him on a mission and the friendship gets tested during the story of the film.
That is about as much as I can say without giving away a spoiler..!
Having seen you in Episode 3 Day One of Torchwood
as an army officer, do you find yourself typecast in these types of roles given
your physique and build?
Ross: Physique and build...what do you mean..! I
wear a latex body suit to make myself look big.. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Of
course....most casting directors only see the muscles. So I naturally play lots
of soldiers..gladiators and firemen.
You’ve done a lot of theatre work, which
production has been your most memorable to date?
Ross: I was very lucky when I left drama school, I
was cast in a play with Lauren Bacall. I had a small part in a play in
Chichester called ' The Visit’, Chichester Festival Theatre is famed for
bringing big Hollywood names to the UK for stage work. Ms Bacall is a legend in
the film world and as a young 21 year old actor I was star struck. That was one
of my most memorable stage jobs.
When you’re not acting, how do you relax?
Ross: I teach and practise Krav Maga...hit the
weights and play Call of Duty... ha ha ha ha
What jobs did you have prior to acting, or
during periods of resting?
Ross: I still work at a medieval village, dressing
up as a medieval character and doing historical tours for the public. Even
though my acting career has taken off since the release of 'Da Vinci's
Demons'... I still work there. It is good to keep grounded.
What is your preferred genre or do you find
all equally challenging or rewarding?
Ross: I love doing historical stuff... it’s the
costumes....I just love dressing up...! Wow.. that sounds so weird..!!!! ha ha
ha
Other than HollyOaks, have you appeared in any
dramas recently?
Ross: As I said.. I am one of the series regular
in Starz productions ' Da Vinci's Demons'.
Aside from MERCS are you involved in any new
projects you can share with Project: Torchwood?
Ross: I have just started filming Da Vinic's
Demons Season Two.
Having interviewed Ben Loyd-Holmes recently,
who to maintain his physique is involved in a lot of martial arts training etc,
are you also a fitness fanatic, how do you stay so trim?
Ross: Stay away from the chocolate.... no seriously!
I am a real sugar addict and that is what made me love Ben so much, he would
sneak Haribo sweets onto film set in his boots! Yeah..his boots..! And we would
sit at the back of the film set eating sweets..! ha ha ha I swear he was trying
to get me fat.
Who was your earliest influence, the person
who prompted your desire to act?
Ross: You have gotta love the 1980's action
films....so cheesy but so damn funny. So you can say that any action hero
inspired me to act... But it was a sweet acting coach called Mary Bennet who
taught me my craft. She got me into drama school by helping me with 'audition
techniques' and she taught me a wonderful audition piece which helped me to win
a scholarship from Sir John Mills.
What was the last film you went to see at the
cinema?
Ross: Jack Reacher
As well as acting have you written, produced
or directed any films that we might have seen, or smaller productions that were
made for film festivals?
Ross: I have written a few films...but nothing
made.
Does your career take you all over the
country?
Ross: All over the world...which kinda annoys the
wife.. ha ha ha
Are you an avid collector of stuff? A gadget geek?
Ross: I have a passion for weights....and gym
equipment. I can't walk past the weight training equipment section in any
superstore without going and touching the weights. It is a sort of wild
fetish.. ha ha ha ha
Do you have a website for the fans to check up
on what you’re up to, or to find out more about you?
FANS QUESTIONS
Hazel Stanton Do you
have any advice for aspiring actors and actresses?
Ross: Just stick with it. This business can
sometimes feel as if you are getting nowhere, then suddenly you will get a nice
little break..and the world seems to open for you.
Mickie Newton Have
you ever done sci fi before? Did your
scene take long to film?
Did you enjoy working with the cast?
Ross: I did a Canadian tv series called 'Lexx' ...we
filmed it in the British Virgin Isle
