We chat to Stephen Dillane about playing Game Of Thrones' Stannis Baratheon and The Tunnel’s Karl Roebuck… No equivocation, no meandering; hes thoughtful in his answers but straightforward.
a body is found at the exact halfway point of The Channel Tunnel.
You seem like an actor who picks projects with great consideration what was it that brought you toThe Tunnel?
And the kind of background of Karls father being an old Communist.
Also the fact that this had the feel of a European project around it.
Ive always been a fan of French cinema so that was an opportunity to engage with that.
Is there a great difference in the way the French approach making drama then to us Brits then?
Not all, but most.
The difficulty is you only really know a week in advance where your characters going.
Theres quite a lot thats ad hoc about it.
Its trusting that youre on the right track and that youre not leaving any hostages to fortune.
So I had a feeling at the beginning at least that he was reasonably contented with his lot.
And then his past I didnt know how this would turn out his past comes back to get him.
Did you watchThe Bridgebeforehand, or did you avoid it so that it wasnt an influence on you?
The Tunnelcan be gruelling to watch simply because of the suspense it keeps the viewers in week on week.
Was it a slog to make?
We shot pretty fast but I hope its more gruelling to watch than it was to make.
We had a nice time.
You get a better quality of on-set catering over in France then?
No, well, we took the British caterers.
The caterers were fantastic, so it wasnt a problem!
Have you watched it back, or are you one of those actors who cant stand to watch themselves?
I actually havent got Sky so I havent been able to watch it!
Ive seen DVDs of the first 2 episodes, but thats all.
It may be theyre right to steer clear, I just dont know.
I would trust that its its own creature.
The Bridgegot a second series, is there any word on a second series for The Tunnel?
Theres been talk about it but no decision yet.
Would you be up for returning to the role if a second series gets the green light?
I think Id probably do it again yeah.
If Clemence would do it again Id be quite happy to hook up with her again.
Its a much much bigger industry.
So its pretty different and the attention is different.
(Laughs) I didnt read the books, no.
I decided Id wing it (laughs).
(Laughs) Pressganged!
No, I went and read for it.
Youve done your fair share of Shakespeare in the past.
Do the machinations onGame of Thronesappeal to the Shakespearean actor in you?
I wouldnt say that that is its appeal, no.
But in terms of playing the role, no, I wouldnt say thats the attraction.
I think that people recognise that to be the way of the world at the moment.
Have you ever checked out the fan reaction to your character online?
Thats a relief actually, I must say because I do know how much people are invested in it.
Especially people whove read the books.
And you do feel a sense of obligation to those people to live up to their hopes.
So even if Im doing it by accident Im very glad!
These days I feel more comfortable with the camera.
Im a little bit lost on stage at the moment.
Maybe itll come back, but at the moment Im out of favour with the stage.
Right now I just dont seem to be able to get my act together with the stage.
But its something youd like to return to in the future…
I mean, its really hard to tell.
At the moment Im doing TV.
Given thats the case, whats next for you?
Im waiting and seeing.
They do have a habit of killing people off!
Im still there as far as I know, so Ill be doing that again.
But apart from that, I just dont know.
Stephen Dillane, thank you very much.
The Tunnel will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on 13thJanuary 2014 fromAcorn Media.
Read our spoiler-filled season one reviews,here.
