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Recycled Actors
***** SEASON 6 AND 8 SPOILER ALERT! *****
I’ve just been watching the audio commentary on season 6 and noticed a familiar face. The actor who played the aid to the Iranian ambassador who was killed by Anna (the ambassador’s wife), also played Ruth’s partner in season 8! Did they think we wouldn’t notice? Doctor Who is not adverse to recycling actors either, often in lead roles. Freema Agyeman who played Martha, the Doctor’s sidekick in season three, appeared prominently in an episode in season two. And Eve Myles, who stars in the Doctor Who spin off Torchwood, appeared in season one of Doctor Who (the two shows inhabit the same reality, so to speak). And of course one can not talk about Spooks and recycled actors without giving Richard Armitage a mention. RA made a brief appearance as “officer Bob” in series one – although he was dressed head to toe in full police gear with only his eyes and nose visible. But back to the actor who played Ruth’s partner, I bet there aren’t too many actors who can boost to playing characters who have died on Spooks TWICE!
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@Violet – Not too many dopplegangers yet. What if Lucas wasn't really in a Russian cell? He was undercover as "Officer Bob'!
@Servetus – One of the things I enjoy about Spooks is that the actors are usually unknown to me (even though many are well known in the UK). So initially I was hesitant at the news that Sophia Miles had been cast in S9.. (but that didn't last long because she was very fine in Doctor Who!). Indeed, it is a good test (one RA passes with flying colours!) I recently saw Rupert Penry-Jones (who plays Adam Carter) in something new, and it impressed me that although some of his lines were similar to things Adam had said, he delivered them quite differently… but the fact I was thinking that while watching the show says something in of itself!
Are your seeing doppelgangers/ doubles yet? Read my post ´Aren´t you?´ for some reference. I was just thinking after I finished this post, what if Lucas had a evil twinbrother in Spooks?
As someone unaccustomed to watching British TV, I have been surprised at how often particular actors show up. I guess the British industry is much smaller than the U.S. one, so U.S. tv can draw on a broader pool of unknowns? Last night I watched Between the Sheets (one of Armitage's earlier projects), and the actor who plays Home Secretary in Spooks 7 shows up as the evil partner of the strip club owner. And a few nights ago I noticed that the character who plays Boucher in North and South shows up in Robin Hood season 3 as an Irish revolutionary. It always causes me a little headshaking at first, but I guess it's a really good test of an actor's craft, if s/he can make you forget your memories of the earlier role.
Lucas wasn´t really in a Russian jail. I intercepted a secret report from the Tazbecs, see my post Report codename Beemie on The Framework blog! Seems like they overlooked officer Bob. Well, can´t blame them, it was severe undercover work.
I watched many English and American series and films, not as much as English and Americans would have. But as Servetus says, it´s a small market compaired to the American market. However I sometimes get the impression that half of England is acting. So many faces! I don´t mind seeing familiar faces, like Robert Glenister in Spooks, George Gently and Hustle. Read his personal quotes on http://www.imdb.com.
I´ve seen Rupert Penry-Jones also in Whitechapel and he did a fine job in that as well.
As a major viewer of British TV (and we have access here on three networks), I love watching "recycled characters" turn up unexpectedly. (Caught Boucher/Mcmurragh, servetus, rather an individual face!)
Given the U.K. population,(over-crowded little island) the acting/production pool does seem small.
From another perspective, perhaps it allows talented actors to constantly hone their craft. (ie Mr. Armitage's long journey to more universal recognition.)
fitzg
It definitely ensures that even minor roles get filled with great actors. This is sort of how Law & Order makes itself work in the U.S.–they film in NY and hire mostly NYC actors for their smaller roles. You start to recognize them, but they are actually good in practice. I don't always like the scripts for those shows but the acting is always solid because they are not hiring pretty faces just because they can, as in Hollywood.
Absolutely, servetus. L&O; was one of the best U.S. series in my viewing experience.
And the West Wing, which might not have been to everyones's political taste. But.
Well, you can tell it's Sunday, and we're relaxing by blogging/commenting. Got to go and sort the cat's litter box. And I don't even care for cats – don't ask why this one lives here now…
Don’t forget Peter Capaldi who was in ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ for DW and then played John Frobisher in Torchwood, COE.
I haven’t made it that far into Torchwood yet! Hoping Santa will bring me the boxset for Xmas this year :)