High), The Hood; and David Graham who reprises his role as Parker.
How easy was it for you to say yes to this project?
Kayvan Novak:Very.
in a word [Laughs].
I was very excited when I first heard they were remaking it.
I got in contact with my agent and said, like get me seen for this!
[Laughs] Its great to be on board.
The character is still very real to me, I didnt have to dig him up from the past.
Is it scary to think about the fan baggage that comes withThunderbirds?
Kayvan Novak:No, because its new and its an update.
Its not like Im replacing someone from last month or last season.
Im not Ashton Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen!
[Laughs]
Angel Coulby:You just dont think about that.
Didnt occur to me to go back and watch.
Adjoa Andoh:You want your performance to be as good as it can be.
As new characters theres not so much of that as its brand new.
Its more exciting than scary.
Rasmus Hardiker:As a lifelong fan, the biggest honour to be involved.
I couldnt wait to be involved.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster:Its always been a dream of mine.
I have pictures of me in full uniform.
I got incredibly excited and became a little kid again.
Its fun messing around being a Tracy brother.
What can you tell us about your characters?
David Menkin:I heard a lot of people loved Virgil back in the day, especially women.
Hes the caretaker of the group, the one who makes sure that everyones okay.
Gordon is the guy who thinks hes a little cooler than he actually is.
Rasmus Hardiker:Scott is essentially the driving force, hes the one that says, Lets do this!
His passion outweighs his intelligence for smart manoeuvres.
Scott is very hot-headed.
To the contrary Alan is the youngest and very gifted he never studies and gets straight As.
Hes cocky hes good and he knows it.
For me, I play two polar opposites.
Theres not one Tracy is the leader of the pack; everyone is a driving force.
Therell be episodes heavy on certain characters, or a pair of characters, or the whole group.
Its not about sole characters, its an ensemble piece with certain episodes highlighting different characters.
I think people will fall in love with the ships instantly.
We get to know the ships as much as we do the people.
Hes quite happy in his space station.
Angel Coulby:Kayo is also a new character, shes been adopted by the Tracy family.
Shes head of security at International Rescue so shes pretty tough.
She doesnt like rules and regulations.
Why do you think these two new characters came about?
Adjoa Andoh:Because we live in the 21st century, women do stuff.
And that needs to be reflected in the stories because girls will be watching as well.
Boys will be interested in what the girls are doing, I hope.
The audience is global, of all ages and genders.
… Is that reflected in the new Brains?
Everyone plays their part.
He just doesnt go out on spaceships or go to the moon.
But sometimes he does!
Hes really sweet and endearing like that.
Brains has that archetypal feel [of a nerd] hes got a speech impediment, hes short-sighted.
David Graham also played Brains in the original, did he share any tips with his successor?
Parker is so iconic, as is Brains.
I didnt get any tips, when I auditioned, I auditioned for a few character.
My characterisation of Brains seemed to win them over.
They begged me to do it [laughs].
David talked about the instantly-recognisable role of chauffeur Parker in the new series.
David Graham:Hes the same.
[Bursts into character to much laughter.]
If it works dont mess with it!
David Graham:Its a modernised version, its not the same.
You wouldnt expect it to be but its totally valid.
She was lovely to work with, I think shell be very popular.
What are the differences between the original and the new Thunderbirds?
Thomas Brodie-Sangster:Its very much inspired by, which I think is important.
Rasmus Hardiker:People always want something different so long as its the same [laughs].
It doffs the hat to everything in the past lots of easter eggs; really well thought-out easter eggs.
Some that you wouldnt even notice, really specific.
David Menkin:Theres lots of little love letters to the show in there.
We were told we were set up to fail because there is such a love for this product.
Giles [Ridge, executive producer] said we have a lot against us.
One week itll be, This is the best thing weve ever seen!
and the next its, What have you done to my childhood?!
I really hope people love it just as much I have.
Rasmus Hardiker:Its simply breathtaking.
The storylines are phenomenal.
Its like24, but for kids!
And adults and everyone.
Adjoa Andoh:ItsThe WaltonsmeetsThe Dukes Of Hazzard.
Youve got those kinds of family dynamics going on.
Sandra Dickinson:OrBonanza!
The music is integral.
You kind of feel that its the same thing but somethings changed about it.
Its paying homage and bringing it up to date.
I think the sound is an extra character.
It blows you away, its beautiful.
I dont think anyone will be disappointed by it.
Does the series have an arc, or are they stand alone episodes?
Rasmus Hardiker:The season has a story arc, a pretty incredible story arc.
But within that there are standalone episodes.
What worldwide locations are visited in the series?
Angel Coulby:Mexico…, we go to lots of hot places!
[Laughs] Theyre constantly dealing with the whole global situation.
But they have the entire world and outer space to play with.
Adjoa Andoh:Theres underwater.
Does it reflect contemporary issues like terrorism?
Andres Williams:Its so far in the future that perhaps theres no terrorism.
Kayvan Novak:Theres natural disasters, theres kind of an environmental feel running through it as well.
Earthquakes and stuff, its great!
Original cast member David Graham spoke about the updated nature of the show (the computer-generated characters).
David Graham:The special effects are mind-boggling and is true to the original.
Its updated but true to the original.
Its the same but its made for the old fans and a whole new generation.
The whole thing is so iconic that to make it totally differently would be a betrayal in a way.
its an updated version of the original with new technology and CGI.
I hope its the best of both worlds.
Regarding the updated style, were they worried that the feel of the original show would be lost?
Adjoa Andoh:You get a sense of the original still, when you see those rockets launch!
Its a really clever mix actually, the blend is really fantastic.
Its done with huge reverence and fondness for the original.
its not in any trying to make you forget about the original, its really embracing it.
Kayvan Novak:The impetus came from those making it, they loved the original.
The elements that were wonderful about the original remain.
The handmade feel of it remains.
Adjoa Andoh:There was screening on the big screen and I was absolutely gobsmacked.
Giles, our producer, said he wanted the ear to lead the eye.
The sound of it is fantastic, its a totally immersive experience watching it.
It was much more impressive than Id imagined it would be.
Rasmus Hardiker:Its very cinematic.
And not in a patronising children will love this kind of way.
Angel Coulby:It really is genuinely gripping.
I was watching it on the end of my seat!
They really manage to recreate drama and jeopardy in the show which is quite exciting.
People will love it.
Other cast members chimed in on the cross generational appeal ofThunderbirds.
I think its exciting to move it away from the marionette feel.
I think its going to appeal to more than just the kids.
And its a bonus that its multi-generational.
Grandma can sit down and watch, though I dont think they did that on purpose.
Its darker and its faster and its 21st century.
David Graham:People who watch it grew up.
I think this will be repeated with the new series.
starts on ITV1 on Saturday the 4th of April at 5pm.
The first series is expected to comprise 26 half hour episodes.
