Max Beesley talks about Survivors

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Max Beesley as Tom

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Beesley with co-stars Phillip Rhys, Zoe Tapper and Paterson Joseph

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Survivors returns for a second series

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Beesley stars as anti-hero Tom Price

How would you describe the new series?

The new series is excellent. I'm really pleased with it. The primary difference between this series and the last is that the characters are now established. The public know what's happened and we don't have to concentrate on the pandemic element as it is much more about survival. The new series steps up a gear. It's a little darker, there's a lot more high-octane action.

What does your character get up to in the new series?

My character is still all about survival but what becomes apparent with him is this connection he can't quite work out between himself and Anya (played by Zoe Tapper). The dynamic between them is a big part of the second series. There are also some very dark moments with him without giving too much away. He is beginning to become a bit of an anti-hero, with the exception of the occasional heroic act; this chap is a nasty piece of work. All actors want to work with good material and there's no doubt about it, this is a great part. To be given this opportunity to portray someone who is quite real, who people buy into and believe, I think is great. I love playing the character.

What are the highlights for the audience in the new series? Why should people tune in?

I thought the first series was great, but the second series is even better because Adrian (Hodges) and the execs put everything under a magnifying glass to see what worked, what the audience would want this year, and what twists we can put in. I think we've all worked hard to create a really fantastic bit of drama.

Tell me about the explosive opening episode and what it was like to be covered in dust and debris.

I was covered in dirt from head to toe, it went into my ears, nose and eyes; the make-up girls had a right laugh applying seven layers of dust all over me. It was absolutely awful running around in my gear, worrying about breaking my ankles! But I'm a hands-on actor and I liked all that. Of course you could do it covered in less make-up, but those things add to the authenticity of the piece.

In episode three we went to an area which was absolutely awful to film in, but it was a brilliant, claustrophobic environment which helped with the work. I did get hurt a few times, too numerous to remember to be honest. I smashed my head when I went down the coalmine and nearly knocked myself out. But I was ok, it added to the horrendousness of shooting there that week.

Tom Price steps up a gear physically, I think both David the director and I had the Bourne franchise in mind whilst shooting episodes four and five. David, like me, works a lot with music in his mind and mentally edits as he shoots, both a reflection of the pressure shooting television nowadays but also an indication of someone who knows what he wants, we both had chosen the John Powell Bourne scores as choices. I loved that, and I really enjoyed working with David along with Jamie and Farren."

Filming away from home for three months must be difficult, how did the cast relax?

We rarely had time to go out because we were working so hard. The production on this is up there with Bodies schedule wise, it was a hard shoot. We had two or three nights out together on the entire shoot. I had the cast over for a lovely dinner one night. I think it's important to have a good tight unit on such a hard shoot physically and mentally and, even if it's just one night, to re-calibrate it's really beneficial to connect with one another purely on a human level.

What was it like to film in Birmingham?

It was hard work filming in Birmingham and not Manchester this time because I have all my family in Manchester. But the good thing about Birmingham is the fact that we had much more control over a vast number of locations, so on a Sunday and Monday we could shoot and close everything down which was amazing. There are some incredible shots on the roof looking down on the main streets. The production did a great job of finding locations although some of them were miles away.

You appear to spend quite a bit of time in LA during the year, why?

When I look at the rainy weather, I cannot wait to be out in LA. I love everything about it - the food, being healthy, the sun and my girlfriend is out there. It's a different quality of life. You can get up in the morning, go and train, have a nice breakfast, then get in the car and in 25 mins you can hit the beach. Sitting on the Malibu coastline by yourself on the beach is just lovely.

It's great to see Robbie Williams back, any plans to play any sessions with him or anyone else?

I loved touring and playing with Rob, his album's amazing, really, really good. I'm delighted for him, he's one of the great artists of our time, wonderful lyrics and a brilliant performer, but I just don't get time anymore to do many sessions, or touring, as my filming schedule is pretty tough. I occasionally get a call for a nice big gig from different artists and if I'm free I'll do it. Music is a beautiful gift to have and I'm very lucky to have been sprinkled with the golden music dust, so to speak.

What are you up to next? Tell me about your film project?

Mr Goodnight is a movie set in Manchester in 1966. It follows the leader of a gang of crack safe blowers and his dominance of the Manchester underworld. It is also a real look inside the mind of the man, and his effect on those around him. We have a few exotic locations that will stretch the budget but I am producing it with Gub Neal of Prime Suspect and Cracker fame, so I am in very good hands. Ray Winstone, Marc Warren and Mathew Rhys are all attached along with Christopher Fulford and Dexter Fletcher. I know it will be something we haven't seen for a long time with gangster movies as Adrian Shergold is attached to direct. It is a lot more in the vein of the early British movies 'Get Carter', 'The Long Good Friday', 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' etc, with a small smidgen of the works of Scorsese.