My Telly HEAVEN!
As Professor T and his Cambridge-based crimecracking series continues this week, Barney White – who plays DS Dan Winters alongside Ben Miller as criminologist Jasper Tempest – allows us to investigate his favourite television shows…
What’s the best thing about working on Professor T?
I love working with the cast – Ben Miller is such a brilliant lead of the show. I love a true-crime podcast and while there’s a lot of crime shows out there, Professor T is really interesting with its academic bent and psychological perspective.
How about other shows you’ve been enjoying?
At the beginning of the year – like everyone else! – I was hooked on The Traitors; could not get enough of it. Right now I’m really enjoying The Completely Made-Up Adventures Of Dick Turpin, with Noel Fielding
– it’s a brilliant comedy drama.
Any other comedies you’re a fan of? I love Stath Lets Flats, it’s the funniest show I’ve seen in a long time.
What did you watch growing up?
As a teenager I’d watch boxset DVDs. I used to babysit on my road and the only boxset they had was Sex And The City.
So my peers were watching The Wire and The Sopranos
and I knew Sex And The City like the back of my hand! It was brilliant. As a family we used to watch weekend shows like Ground Force, Gladiators – which I’m loving all over again now it’s made a comeback – and Blind Date. The Simpsons I loved, too. Still do!
Are there any shows you like to chill out with?
It used to be Geordie Shore back in the day. I watched shows like 24 Hours In Police Custody and Ambulance as research for Professor T, which are absorbing but not that relaxing! I’m also a huge football fan, and there’s a lot of that on…
Do you ever binge-watch?
I’m quite old-school, so I like waiting for the next instalment!
Is there a TV personality who inspires you?
Having worked with Ben Miller,
I think he’s brilliant. And I really love Eddie Marsan. I read an interview with him years ago when I wasn’t getting much acting work, and it just gave me real hope. I’ve watched everything he’s done, and I think he’s a brilliant actor. The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe that he did with Monica Dolan was such great telly.
Catch Barney in Professor T on ITV1, Wednesday at 9pm