Questions for Jason Hughes

Jason is best known for playing lawyer Warren Jones in the TV classic This Life, and as Detective Sergeant Ben Jones in Midsomer Murders. He’s married to wife Natasha and they have three children. In his latest role he plays millionaire Vince Whitman in ITV’S Marcella which is released, along with series one, on DVD tomorrow.

DID YOU SEE THE FIRST SERIES OF MARCELLA?

Not when it first went out on TV. I bought some episodes online, then my agent sent me a few, and I think I saw the rest on Netflix. But I knew it would be dark.

DO YOU OBSESS ABOUT YOUR CHARACTERS?

I need to know everything about them. I sat with Victoria Smurfit, who plays my wife, and we came up with the idea of how our characters met and what attracted them to each other. Stuff like that helps.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER VINCE?

He’s a working-class lad, now an internet millionaire, but arrogance means he can’t see how his business behaviour is morally wrong. He won’t take advice. He tries to make things better but doesn’t see there are consequences.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD ACTOR?

It’s the ability to join a community for a while and be open, considerate and kind to everyone so that we all get the best out of the project.

DID YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A FANCLUB ON TWITTER?

Really? Have I? I don’t do Twitter so I wasn’t aware of that. I guess that’s nice. Isn’t it?

WHO DO YOU HAVE TO THANK FOR YOUR CAREER?

My drama teacher in Wales, Roger Burnell, who also helped actors like Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones. He was inspirational. I wouldn’t be doing this without him.

DO YOU NOW HELP PASS THAT BATON ON?

Whenever I’m asked to help young people I love it. I don’t know exactly what I can pass on but I’m happy to help when I can.

HOW DO YOU LOOK BACK ON EIGHT YEARS OF MIDSOMER?

It gave me financial stability. I was able to buy a house for my family, and I was very lucky to get it. But if you just do work for the money in this business you’ll eventually get found out.

JOHN NETTLES SAID YOUR AUDITION WAS TOO GOOD, DIDN’T HE?

After all these years I only found that out yesterday. I am so surprised. All I can say is that John is a man of impeccable taste (laughs.)

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO YOU SPEND IT?

I’d take the family into space to see what zero gravity is like. I’d love that. Maybe we could all do a moon walk. After that, I believe the spirit is infinite, and whatever form it takes we’ll all

live forever.