‘Terry is deeply tragic, but I also wanted him to be likeable’
Mathew Horne talks to Gemma Dunn about returning to his roots for drama Newark, Newark
Newark, Newark has felt like somewhat of a homecoming for Mathew Horne.
As the title suggests, the scripted comedy – brand new to Gold, and created and written by Nathan Foad – takes place in the market town in the East Midlands, not far from where Horne, 43, grew up.
“I was born and raised 10 miles from Newark, and I went to school five miles away, so I know the area and I know those people,” says the Gavin & Stacey star.
The “people” he speaks of, in this instance, include pugnacious chip shop manager and exhausted matriarch Maxine (played by Morgana Robinson), as she tries to ride out her divorce and find someone who actually lights her fire.
However, it is easier said than done with her bigmouthed son Leslie (Jai Hollis) dramatically coming out as gay, and her dullard exhusband, Terry (Horne), trying ever more desperately to win her back. Plus there is her mother Pauline (Beverley Callard) who can’t help meddling with her love life.
How familiar is Terry to you?
I’ve been around an atmosphere and a generation of men who’ve been through the same things as Terry. He’s deeply tragic, but I also wanted him to be likeable and for people to understand the damage he’s suffered.
From the places to the people, it’s all recognisable?
Very much so. In fact, when I was sent the scripts and offered the role, I was reading them on the train to Newark, which is the station I use to visit my father. It all felt very serendipitous, and the producers didn’t even know I’m from that area.
What does it mean to be able to use your native accent?
It means so much on both a professional level and a personal level. On a professional level, I’m so grateful to be given this opportunity because on paper that role is not one you would offer to me. On a personal level it’s wonderful to go home and work and make a show which is set five miles from the school where I started acting 25 years ago.
How did you enjoy working alongside Morgana Robinson and Beverley Callard?
Beverley was absolutely wonderful. I’ve been very lucky to work with the most amazing actresses and Beverley was added straight on to the list of actress legends for me. Morgana’s another reason I was thrilled by this job. I’d never met her, but I loved The Agency and I’ve been such a fan of hers. We instantly hit it off and had a chemistry which I hope translates on screen.
And there’s plenty of talented younger cast member’s too.
As I get older and I become more jaded, working around young talent with the world at their feet and their whole life ahead of them makes me feel grateful for what I have, what I’m doing in that present moment, and what I’ve achieved so far in my career. We have some fantastic new talent on Newark, Newark and I hope they have very bright futures that aren’t only on Tiktok.