QUESTION TIME
LEE INGLEBY, KATHERINE KELLY AND ROCHENDA SANDALL STAR IN A CRIME SERIES WITH A TWIST…
If you’re a fan of crime drama, you know how most procedurals go: the detectives hear about a case, hit the streets to investigate, fall for a few red herrings, and then apprehend the suspect just before the end credits. But Netflix’s brand-new series
Criminal approaches things differently. Not only is it set in four different countries (France, Germany, Spain and
the UK) – each featuring its own local cast and creative team, and shot in its native language – but it also takes place entirely within the interview suite, as a team of expert interrogators try to get the truth out of the prime suspect.
The UK’S three episodes star Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby and Line Of Duty’s Rochenda Sandall as the detectives, and Inside TV caught up with them to find out more…
“I feel as if we had to prepare for this more than any other job,” reveals Katherine. “It’s got the volume of lines a play would have, and we had to know it from start to finish because Jim [Field Smith, the director] threatened that he could do one take with the camera just on you from start to finish, the full 45 minutes, so you had to know it that well. My biggest fear was listening too intently and then forgetting that I’ve got a line!”
The actors researched the many interview methods detectives use by watching real-life examples on Youtube – and it was surprising how much there was to learn.
“You can’t lean over the table and yell!” Lee points out. “It’s asking questions and almost befriending, or sympathising, with them. You use different techniques depending on who you’re sat opposite.”
And on that note, there’s a separate guest star facing interrogation in each episode: David Tennant is on the other side of the table in episode one, with Hayley Atwell next up, and Home star Youssef Kerkour in the third. Each suspect changes the dynamic of the show, and requires the interviewers to choose their tactics carefully…
“Youssef’s character is driven by fear,” Lee tells us.
IF THERE’S A GUN IN THE ROOM, YOU HAVE TO SHOOT IT!”
ROCHENDA
“Whereas David’s character is driven more by vanity.”
“These detectives have been doing this job for 20 years,” explains Katherine. “They’ve seen a lot and know what’s needed. When you get a chatty suspect who’s all bravado, like Hayley’s character, you have to strip that back because you’re against the clock.”
And the international aspect adds extra dimensions, in that local laws and customs might see a similar situation play out in a different way.
“Obviously, in some parts of Europe the police are armed,” explains Rochenda. “Generally speaking, if there’s a gun in the room, you’re meant to shoot it at some point – it’s one of the rules of writing! So it’ll be really interesting to watch…”