Ive known Kay for probably nearly 20 years now.
She actually gave me the first role that I ever had, when I was 5 years old.
Even before I called her, I realized I wanted to do it.
Credit: ITV
But once on the phone, you realize very quickly just how much passion she has for this.
There was so much of herself in these characters and her friends in these characters and in these stories.
The range was larger than Neville, as it were.
Now, seven years later, I felt like I achieved that.
Luckily, thats what keeps coming up.
I wouldnt shy away from anything nowadays.
I wouldnt deliberately turn down a role because its too similar to this or what not.
Obviously much has been made of your appearance and this slang term of Longbottoming.
Was shooting that something that gave you pause, like, Oh no, Ill be feeding into that?
Frankly, in that scene, the characters almost pathetic.
I was a very shy boy, a very nervous kind of boy, a bit like Neville actually.
I wish I spent more time talking to Richard Harris or whatever.
Robbie Coltrane, who I dont think I hardly said anything to during filming, I now text him.
I dont know who you were.
Theyre all just so charming and so full of humility.
And Zoe straightaway was like, Ive been so looking forward to it.
I was so thrilled when Kay told me you were taking this role.
When she said that, I just thought that was something brilliant.
I dont think shes ever had a poor script in her, to be honest.
Everything shes written has been very, very well received critically and by the general public.
Theyre people you know; they are you.
Its a piece of England that, maybe in America, people arent really aware of.
Its not London, its the north.
Its kind of grittier, its more real, its more human.
Theres something for everyone.
Girlfriendsis now available for streaming on Acorn TV.
