Mark Gatiss interview
Are you excited to be working on a project created by Julia?
Of course! We've had so much fun over the years doing lots of different things and it was a delight to be asked to come back and play again.
What do you look for when picking and choosing your roles?
Fun. I just want to enjoy myself. That could be in a big, dramatic role or something very silly. I just don't want to be bored.
Do you particularly enjoy the twisted worlds and characters Julia creates?
We inhabit a very similar mental world of dark shapes and stupid things so very much so.
How would you describe your character?
Doctory.
Did you enjoy working with such a great comedic cast? Was it a fun set?
It was hysterical. The danger of working with Julia is trying not to laugh. On Nighty Night we were sick laughing. And we've failed again to not laugh on this. It was joyous but painful.
Julia directed the series. As an actor in a comedy such as this, what do you want from a director?
It depends on the project, but Julia creates a great atmosphere where you don't feel afraid to try anything and that's wonderful. As long as you know the basic structure of the scene and what it needs to do, you can then improvise to your heart's content.
What should viewers expect?
Filth.
What makes you laugh?
The misfortunes of others.
As you say, you worked with Julia in Nighty Night. Was it fun to work with her again?
Easy as pie. I love Julia and have missed working with her very much. There's nothing quite like it.
The likes of The League Of Gentlemen and Psychoville are quite twisted and ambitious. Was the fact Julia Davis's comedies have very similar dark elements to them a big draw for you?
No, it was the money.
Auntie Val in The League Of Gentlemen was a fan of Nude Day, and there's a fair bit of nudity in Sally4Ever. What is it about nudity that's so funny?
Tits and balls.