Playing it BY EAR
MAX BOWDEN DISCUSSES HIS FIRST YEAR ON THE SQUARE, AND THE CHALLENGES OF EASTENDERS’ SPECIAL EPISODE FOCUSSING ON HIS ALTER EGO BEN’S HEARING LOSS…
I’m so ready to get back to work now – I want to go and do headstands in the Mitchell living room!” chuckles Eastenders star Max Bowden, aka Ben, as we chat to him just days after it was announced that the soap is poised to resume filming soon. “I just cannot wait to return – even if it’s at a distance – just to see everyone and get back to making brilliant telly. Having this downtime makes me appreciate even more just how much I love work.”
While we’ll have to wait to see any new material on our screens, there’s still plenty of drama to come before then. This week, viewers will see a special episode shot entirely from Ben’s point of view, as we learn what it’s like for him to live with a hearing impairment. Here, Max talks us through the drama – as well as his first 12 months in Walford…
Can you tell us a bit about this week’s special episode, Max?
It’s about getting an insight into Ben’s head – the new Ben, post-boat crash. The amount of hearing loss that he’s suffered has essentially made him profoundly deaf, so it’s about showing that, and also opening up a gateway into the deaf community and what that’s like. We want to show that the limitations aren’t really limitations.
How was the episode filmed?
There are a lot of special effects in terms of getting into Ben’s head – we did a lot from behind him, focusing on his bad ear, to see how this affects the way that he processes information. We filmed on two cameras at most – we usually film on four, so there was more of a focus on cinematography to help bring it to life.
This is an incredibly important storyline – you must have carried out a lot of research before filming the special episode…
We had a lot of contact with the National Children’s Deaf Society – I spoke in great detail with several people about head traumas, and the after effects of hearing loss, if it’s something you haven’t been born with. And that hasn’t really stopped, I’m still researching every day.
You’ve also been working closely with Rose Ayling-ellis, who plays Frankie. As a deaf actor herself, was she able to give you some tips?
Rose is amazing, she’s one of the most instinctive and present actors I’ve ever worked with. But also, being part of the deaf community for as long as Rose has, she’s not afraid to tell us if she thinks that we’re not doing something right. When we’ve worked together in scenes, we’ve discussed the way that she believes it should be done, and that’s really helped me. She’s definitely opened a lot of eyes on set as to how you can approach different things.
Have you had to learn any sign language yet?
Yeah – at the minute, Ben’s very against it, because he doesn’t want to seem weak. But I think it’s important for me to truly understand the deaf community properly, to learn it and do my bit. Rose sent me a little course when we first went into lockdown, which was a free online thing, and I’ve been doing that. It’s an ever-growing skill that I’m having to work towards.
What has the feedback been like from viewers about this story?
I’ve had so many beautiful comments from people in the deaf community, especially when the storyline first started. People reaching out and saying they’ve never felt that they’ve been represented on television in this way before – that’s really special, because to me, that’s why we do it.
You’ve just reached the end of your first year on Eastenders – how have the past 12 months been?
It’s been amazing! Eastenders has been a huge part of my life, and I’m very grateful for every second. Although it’s definitely been more intense than I thought it would be!
Has your life changed since joining the show?
Yeah, and anybody who says it hasn’t changed theirs would be lying. My life has changed for me in such a positive way, because I feel so much fulfilment when I’m doing this job. I always feel better about myself when playing Ben!
Describe a typical day on set…
There is no such thing! Every day is different, that’s why I love the job, I couldn’t say I’ve had two days that have been the same since I started here. It makes me massively excited to go to work every day – and I can’t wait to get back in and pick up where we left off!