Nitin Kundra interview
As an Indian step-dad married to a white British woman, actor Nitin Kundra is chuffed to bits that Edge of Heaven has embraced the concept of a modern family so wholeheartedly. And he is particularly delighted that his character has not been stereotyped. "He is totally an Indian guy who has found himself in Margate," explains the charming actor. "He is married to a white lady and he has taken on her kids. There is no reference to the fact that he is Indian and I think that is a really great thing.
"It is so refreshing. In the past, I have been for auditions where you are cast as an Indian and you are playing an Indian. There are a lot of stereotypical roles whereas this is not. I don't think you see this kind of role very much on television. It is not something you typically see in dramas."
It's this refreshing character that made his decision to accept the role so easy, Nitin goes on to explain. "I said yes instantly," he adds. "We all got to know each other really well when we first did the read through and they invested so much time and effort in us.
"My character is just a really nice guy who wants to be there for his family. Judy is the matriarch of the family and he is there to support her and make sure she isn't going too over the top with situations. They do get into some scrapes though!"
What does he love most about his character? "I just like the fact he is such a lovely guy," replies Nitin. "I like the character. He is very patient with her and so supportive. It has been so nice to work with Camille and with someone of her stature. It's been lovely to play off that partnership."
His favourite scenes have been those featuring Camille, who plays Judy. "What has been so great is the fact that their relationship is a very typical one," he says. "They have been married for a long time. He is still concerned about her going off with someone else and she is concerned he doesn't fancy her because she is too old. Both feel very vulnerable in the relationship, but there is something lovely about that."
Bursting out laughing, Nitin even found himself wearing a daring tight lycra outfit for one of the plotlines that sees his character take up ballroom dancing when he fears Judy has fallen for her dance teacher. "He turns up in a tango outfit which was actually very funny," chuckles Nitin. "Rather than being aggressive, he decides to turn up too. The stories are written so nicely and you really see things develop. It's been a pleasure to work on."
Nitin - who has also starred in Steel River Blues - says he would be over the moon if the series becomes a success. "I have got all my fingers crossed," he admits. "ITV has been so supportive of the series and it is all going in the right direction. I hope the series does carry on and on. We all got on so well on set and that is reflected on-screen. In fact, it has been so enjoyable I have not wanted it to end."