You’ve been in quite a few dramas
before you landed the role of Banana Boat, which was the most memorable?
Jonathan: Probably the character Dixie in
Svengali. It's the part that I'm probably most well known for.
I was reading on Wiki that you’ve also
produced a few films. It must be an awesome feeling when your film makes it to
the festivals and wins. Irvine Welsh is
a fantastic writer, not just for Trainspotting, How did the meeting with Irvine
Welsh come about?
Jonathan: He was directing a music video back
about 12 years ago for a band called 'gene' and he cast me and we became good
friends. We've stayed in touch ever since.
When you were cast as Banana Boat were
you given any idea what the character was like, were you able to put any part
of yourself into the character, and would you have liked to see more of Banana
Boat in the series?
Jonathan: No it was fine. I knew it was a one
off thing. They let me make him more humorous, the director was great for that
and I enjoyed doing it enormously.
Who were your influences when you were
growing up, who inspired you to become an actor?
Jonathan: My Paternal Grandfather was a huge
film fan and watched all the classics. He loved great old actors like Charles
Laughton and it rubbed off on me I suppose and inherited a real love for it.
How many films have you produced
yourself and what sort of genre do you work with, or is it varied?
Jonathan: Comedy. I've done two now. I also
produced some history documentaries for ITV Wales. My degree is in history and
I have a great passion for it.
Are you still involved with the
internet series Svengali?
Jonathan: Yes, it's been developed into a film
now as well.
I know you’re very much the rugby and
football fanatic, who are your favourite teams? Were you very athletic in
school, very much the sportsman or were you more interested in your music back
then?
Jonathan: Both really. I support Cardiff City
and Wales and I played football as a kid and did a bit of boxing. I also loved
music. I was always into Mod culture, the music and the way the dressed. They
looked fantastic, still do. I was a proper sixties freak in the mid 80s! Which
was rather strange looking back but it was just the way I was.
In Torchwood according to Rhys Banana
Boat was worried about diabetes, do you ever worry about medical issues like
Banana Boat or are you quite chilled?
Jonathan: Haha!! I'm quite chilled.
Can you recount any funny moments
while on set during the filming of Banana Boat’s moment with Toshiko – Naoko
Mori during the tied up moment on the bed?
Jonathan: Only that it was a bit uncomfortable
and you were in there a while but it was fine really. She was great to work
with. Really sweet.
If Torchwood came back to Cardiff
would you love to reprise your role as Banana Boat?
Jonathan: No, it was a one off thing. I quite
like the idea it was of its time.
What projects are you currently
working on that we can look out for?
Jonathan: Svengali the film.
Random questions
Who would you have in your zombie
apocalypse team and they can be living or fictitious people? List is: Team
Leader, Brawler, Weapons Expert, Brains, Medic, Speed Fighter, Mascot, Guy who
dies first?
Jonathan: I’d have all my mates from the local
club in Methyr.
If you were stranded on a desert
island but were allowed to bring three items with you, what would they be?
Jonathan: A solar powered kindle with all my
favourite books. Solar powered mp3 with all my favourite music A football
Fans questions
Seren Rock What's his favourite banana
joke?
Jonathan: Why do bananas wear suntan lotion?
Because they peel.
Molly Lyons LOVE BANANA BOAT!! What
was it like working with Eve in Torchwood, and A Bit Of Tom Jones? And what is
it like working with the same person on two different shows with different
characters?
Jonathan: It was brilliant and easy. She's a
terrific actress, great fun and really down to earth.
Claudia Lindner He had some scenes
with Naoko, how was it working with her. Is she rather a quiet type like Tosh
or totally different?
Jonathan: Really sweet and down to earth. The
whole cast were. It was a pleasure to work on it.
Meggy'crazy Icecream Collins
"What was your favourite scene and why?"
Jonathan: The scene where I first clock the
alien was funny because I'm just an ordinary lad and it was great to do the
reaction of someone suddenly seeing a world he couldn't possibly imagine ever
existing.
Christine Oswin Liddle How was the
scene when your trapped in a sticky web with Naoko
Jonathan: Yeah, it was great. Funny to do. Had
a lot of fun that day.
Annika Gabriella Brink What is his
dream-role that he would love to do?
Jonathan: I'd like to play Nye Bevan one day.
When I'm a bit older perhaps. He's a hero of mine.
Thank you again Jonathan
Jonathan: Been my pleasure! Good luck.
