James Nesbitt talks to TV Times magazine about returning to the operating theatre in ITV1 drama Monroe (Mondays, from October 1)... Are you glad to be back playing Monroe? “This is a role I love. It was created specially for me, I loved the first series, and I just couldn’t wait to get back into it.” The action has fast-forwarded 18 months, which seems to be another bold move from the series… “It’s a great idea. It gives the writers and the actors much more scope to develop the characters. Monroe is now on his own, but is in quite a good place.” What problems does Monroe face this series? “At work he is faced with new challenges from new head of clinical services, Gillespie, played by Neil Pearson. Monroe dismisses his role as unnecessary, corporate and not pure. But he is also subconsciously threatened by his presence, because Monroe is now answerable to someone. He was always his own boss.” Why do you think he’s like that? “Brain surgeons think they are one step away from God, so to have someone putting obstacles in his way, usually to do with funding, is working really well.” How do you find filming the operations? “I love them! We always do them on Fridays, so they are the climax of the week. What I think makes the series stand out was its authenticity. We are very lucky to have this incredible theatre facility here – the surgeons all say we have better kit than they have at Leeds General Infirmary!” What have you learnt about the medical world? “Right from the beginning, when I went to see operations and met surgeons, I was catapulted into that world. We usually operate sequentially – starting with the anaesthetic – and it is a sort of a dance in a way. It is well named as a theatre, because it really is dramatic, very filmic, choreographed and balletic.” You’ve been busy filming The Hobbit in New Zealand. How does that compare with the reality of shooting Monroe in chilly Leeds? “The whole thing out there has been fabulous – it is a fantastic experience. And it has been amazing for my family. We lived right by the sea, five minutes from where I was filming, so it was wonderful coming home to the girls every night, for the first time, really. Having a full year with them out there was amazing.” Could you see yourself moving out there permanently? “As wonderful as New Zealand was, and it was great that the whole family were there together, this is also wonderful. And I don’t have to get up at 4.15am for make-up. What I’m doing here feels very much like my vocational home. I was pleased to be coming back – I am terribly privileged to have the best of both worlds.”
