Poetic justice
BERTIE CARVEL AND CARLYSS PEER RETURN WITH A FRESH CASELOAD OF INVESTIGATIONS FOR DEEP-THINKING DETECTIVE DALGLIESH…
Bertie Carvel is back to work as treasured Detective Chief Inspector Adam Dalgliesh this week, with three twopart films newly adapted from P.D. James’ best-selling novel series in store.
Alongside his recently recruited sidekick DS Kate Miskin (Carlyss Peer), Dalgliesh has more than one murder to solve this week, after a young girl’s body is discovered in a remote Norfolk quarry. Shortly after that, a senior biologist is struck down at the local police force’s forensics laboratory; a sensitive case, which requires the renowned detective’s unique and subtle skills. Inside
TV joined Bertie and Carlyss via Zoom to find out more…
Hello, both! How did it feel to be returning for a second series? Bertie It felt good – it’s a privilege playing a character that has been so richly imagined by readers for decades, and hugely gratifying to win their approval. It’s extremely satisfying to play out a slower, deeper, quieter story alongside the main thrust of the murders. Carlyss It’s so lovely to be involved in something that people are really passionate about, and a complete joy having the opportunity to dig deeper into these characters.
How has Miskin’s working relationship with Dalgiesh developed? Carlyss I think they work well together – they both have good instincts and they’re both determined to do well at solving the cases.
Bertie They have a very deep connection. He’d be pleased for someone like Kate to take his place if he were to step aside. He recognises her potential in a way that her potential is probably not recognised by others.
The series opens with Dalgliesh holding a poetry reading – is his poetry the reason he’s questioning his future in the force? Bertie Adam would rather share his poetry without having to publicise it, and the success of his poetry is simply a catalyst for self-analysis. He does imply at one point that he knows deep down he’ll never leave the police, but is he just saying that to be demure?
What’s it like for you and Carlyss working together? Carlyss We get along well, and I have huge admiration for Bertie’s attention to detail. Bertie I can’t speak highly enough of Carlyss. It’s easy when you have actors that you can play off of who are completely alert to the subtle nuances of what you’re doing. I love working with her and it’s great to develop their story.
ADAM’S POETRY IS A CATALYST FOR SELF-ANALYSIS…”
She made her name as an uncompromising interviewer, asking Pamela Anderson, Donald Trump, the Duchess of York and Madonna cheeky questions others would shy away from. But since revealing her 25-year battle with depression, Ruby Wax has carved out a new niche as a mental health campaigner.
Now, in a two-part series, Ruby is testing herself by spending 10 days alone on a Madagascan desert island. And she admits her family were dubious about the plan…
“They thought this was a stupid idea,” reveals Ruby. “But then they know that I like a challenge when it is slightly dangerous. I don’t like to know the reality until I’m there!”
Ruby did get advice from pal Joanna Lumley, however, who lived as a castaway in 1994.
“Of course, she looked gorgeous,” declares Ruby.
“Unlike myself, who looks as if I should have been shot!”
On the island, the enormity of the task sinks in as Ruby must build a camp, collect food and water and pit herself against blazing sunshine and vicious rainstorms.
Creating Wilson – a rock skeleton – and making friends with hermit crabs Spartacus and Goilath means Ruby has company. However, hunger and cyclones bring epic challenges, and by the end of her time on Ankerea, Ruby is left feeling philosophical…
“I’m tougher than I thought,” she admits. “I thought I would freak but I never did. I fought the thought my life was in danger. The worst night was the last one, when the cyclone was pelting down. A tree missed me by a few feet. I thought, ‘If I get killed, I get killed. I killed a crab and the tree kills me’. That’s quite interesting!”