I Was Difficult Because I Cared

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Initiating his acting journey under the guidance of Lawrence Olivier, the native of Birmingham, Trevor Eve, eventually gained recognition in the late 1970s by becoming the lead actor in the BBC detective series titled Shoestring.

Over a career lasting over half a century, he’s skillfully balanced critically acclaimed theater performances with roles on screen, featuring in The Politician’s Wife and the entire nine seasons of Waking the Dead. Together with his fellow actor wife Sharon Maughan, they are proud parents to three adult children, including Alice Eve, a well-known figure in Hollywood.

In the latest drama, “I, Jack Wright (U&Alibi)”, by Chris Lang, the creator of Unforgotten, a character named Jack Wright, a self-made billionaire, is portrayed. His death triggers a fierce rivalry among family members and acquaintances, as they all vie for a portion of his inherited wealth.

In the novel “I, Jack Wright”, the main character Jack Wright doesn’t survive for a long time. Would you consider this role to be one of the briefest in your acting career?

As a cinephile, I can’t help but notice that actors like Sean Bean seem to meet their end more often than others. However, in my on-screen adventures, I’ve managed to avoid a significant number of untimely deaths.

So what made you want to do it?

Three times have I collaborated with Chris Lang. In Unforgotten, I portrayed a character reminiscent of Alan Sugar, specifically as Sir Phillip Cross. To my surprise, an email from Chris arrived, outlining tasks and providing explanations for them. Interestingly, I don’t recall ever receiving the full script, so I remain unaware of any events following my character’s demise.

Could you see yourself as a captain of industry, if you hadn’t become an actor?

In a more natural and conversational way, the sentence could be rephrased as: “I’m often advised during business meetings with legal advisors and expensive consultants to tone down my humor and keep emotions in check. This advice contradicts the nature of acting.

Is it something you’ve inspired your children to pursue the same profession as you, given that Jack hopes his kids will carry on the family business?

Initially, I was an architect by trade, with no aspirations towards acting. Instead, I encouraged Alice to pursue higher education, and she attended Oxford University. In the realm of creative arts, relying on approval leaves one in a vulnerable position. However, given my daughter’s remarkable success, she seems to be thriving just fine.

Last year marked your 50th year as an actor. What’s your secret?

For a considerable time, it held immense significance in my life. I put in an extraordinary amount of effort, perhaps more than others would consider necessary. It was immensely valuable to me, and I adored it more than words can express. I was relentless in my pursuit of excellence, inspired by individuals such as Olivier. He would scrutinize my work, ensuring every detail was meticulously annotated, and if performers didn’t meet the mark during rehearsals, they were let go. This dedication to perfection is something I learned from him.

Do you think that’s why you may have earned a reputation for being difficult to work with?

I may have caused discomfort for some, but my intentions were always sincere. It wasn’t about the dimensions of my trailer or delays with my vehicle; it was more about questioning the purpose behind our actions. For many years, I adhered to the advice that if something isn’t said, it’s best not to say it. However, approximately a decade ago, I decided to break free from this mindset. Now, I simply request the script and make no alterations.

It’s been said that I’m not a pleasant person, but most reputations are often exaggerated or untrue in my experience. My first interview didn’t go well because the journalist was discourteous, and I responded by pointing out his rudeness. Following this incident, articles about my alleged misdeeds were published across various newspapers as retaliation, which has left a lasting impression. However, I question whether such stories are entirely accurate.

It seems that the recent revival of Bergerac has done exceptionally well. Previously, was it due to a lack of interest in a third installment of Shoestring that led them to produce only the original series?

Indeed, as John Nettles puts it, “My entire career is a debt to Trevor Eve.” I’m keeping an eye out for the moment he treats me to a beer.

Would you like to see Shoestring get the reboot treatment?

It’s unclear who currently holds the rights, as I held them for quite some time. However, Bergerac was on-air for a significant duration, and I’m not certain if Shoestring had the same level of influence. Interestingly, people still frequently bring up Shoestring in conversation. That’s wonderful! I recall expressing displeasure when people mentioned Shoestring in the past. Yet, I am quite proud of it.

I didn’t make that statement; it was Adrian Gill, may he rest in peace, who said it. Although I had great admiration for him, he had a knack for causing trouble. I believe he brought up Doctor Who because he wasn’t a fan himself. The article appeared on TopMob, and I received a barrage of criticism as a result. Even Matt Smith, a Doctor Who actor, criticized me in print, but let me clarify that I never spoke negatively about Doctor Who. To set the record straight, I am a big fan! It occurs to me that this might be why I’ve never been offered a villain role…?

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2025-04-15 03:42