As a fellow artist and admirer of emotional storytelling, I find Morrissey’s journey incredibly inspiring. His dedication to his craft, evident in his meticulous research for roles, is truly commendable. It’s fascinating how he transforms himself into these complex characters, provoking emotions that resonate with viewers.
Typically, Morrissey is cast in heavier roles, such as a police officer or government official, but he’s also made a mark by portraying characters like the psychopathic Governor in The Walking Dead, Gordon Brown in The Deal, and British Army Captain Sam Webster in The Missing.
In his newest comedy series, Daddy Issues on BBC Three, the humorous side of the Liverpudlian actor shines through, leaving many impressed and reminiscent of the late Eric Morecambe’s comedic physicality, as described by executive producer Phil Gilbert.
His character, Malcolm, is portrayed as struggling with basic household tasks such as operating a washing machine, cooking an egg, or heating rice in a microwave without incident. Does this sound familiar to Morrissey? Well, he can manage to load a dishwasher and a washing machine, but he’s not particularly tech-savvy. His kids usually assist him with his iPhone and satellite TV subscriptions. I’ve come to terms with that, as I taught them how to walk, so they can now guide me through the complexities of using Sky Sports.
“He remarks, flashing a sly grin, ‘Ironing is what I adore most. It’s incredibly relaxing for me, almost therapeutic. It’s my sanctuary of happiness.'”
He shares three children – two sons, Albie and Gene, and a daughter, Anna – with former spouse Esther Freud, but in Daddy Issues, he plays the useless father of Aimee Lou Wood’s Gemma.
In an unexpected turn of events, a 24-year-old woman finds herself pregnant after a single encounter. With no one else to rely on, she confides in Malcolm. At the moment, Malcolm is sharing a residence for divorced men with Derek (David Fynn), who’s grieving his recent split. However, when Gemma proposes that he move in with her, Malcolm is given the choice.
Sharon Rooney (Barbie), Sarah Hadland (Miranda) and Susan Lynch (Sex Education), also star.
“As a movie buff, I can’t help but feel that my daughter would handle Malcolm differently than Gemma does! That’s what Morrissey expresses, yet working on the father-daughter dynamic with Wood was surprisingly effortless. She’s incredibly open, and our work ethos aligns – we both dive headfirst into projects. Plus, being fellow Northerners makes collaboration convenient.”
Born and raised in the bustling town of Stockport, Greater Manchester, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to the setting of this series. “We thrive on camaraderie and laughter, often finding ourselves amusing one another, which might have caused a few raised eyebrows among others. Yet, we place a great emphasis on trust in our group.”
“Morrissey expresses his fondness for comedy, both watching and performing it, but notes that he’s delved into some very somber forms of humor. He has made captivating appearances in shows like Good Omens and Inside No. 9, shone brilliantly as Harry Wade in Hangmen (2015), a play penned by Martin McDonagh, and showcased his talent in the dark comedy musical Blackpool, where he played Ripley Holden.”
Morrissey remarks, “People often misunderstand that comedy is simple; on the contrary, it’s demanding, if not more so than drama. It hinges on rhythm and timing, making it both taxing and intense – by the end of the day, you can feel quite drained.”
Morrissey is frequently questioned about his preference between theatre and television/film roles, but he emphasizes that a compelling plotline and well-developed character are what truly matter most to him. He admits, “When I’ve been away from theater for some time, I really miss it. It feels like something I must do.” He adds, “There’s simply no substitute for the raw, immediate experience that theater provides.”
We spend some time discussing recent shows – he loved Next to Normal, Cold War, Sondheim’s Old Friends and he’s seen Standing at the Sky’s Edge three times. “It’s a really great political story about working-class people and a working-class area. It came out of Sheffield, it’s set in Sheffield, with the music of Richard Hawley, who I love. It’s unbelievable.”
Watching Ken Loach’s movie Kes as a child, where a young lad discovers a kestrel and develops an interest in falconry, sparked Morrissey’s desire to become an actor. “It was incredibly impactful for me. It’s a fantastic film, and it left a deep impression. Many actors my age can relate to that sentiment, especially those from working-class backgrounds. Christopher Eccleston often discusses it. That ignited my passion for emotional storytelling.”
As a child, another TV show he greatly enjoyed was Colditz. In an episode titled “Tweedledum,” the talented actor Michael Bryant attempted to escape Colditz by feigning madness under the Nazis, hoping they would release him due to the Geneva Convention. However, his act became real, causing a lasting impact on him. This is when he began to desire stirring such emotions in others.
Morrissey is recognized for thoroughly investigating his characters by interacting with individuals who hold the genuine professions he embodies. For example, in Sherwood, airing its second season on BBC One on Sunday 25th August, he portrays DCS Ian St. Clair, a former policeman now managing a Violence Prevention Unit. “These units are authentic and they aim to unite all the different entities within any local community – police, mental health services, education, paramedics – to devise strategies for combating crime,” explains Morrissey.
“I’ve come across some individuals who manage these units, and I find their work incredibly challenging yet inspiring. I respect them deeply and feel loyal towards them. This loyalty follows me to my job. Sometimes, when acting in a professional capacity, I struggle to detach myself from these feelings. At times, I even want to hold onto them, which might make me difficult to work with.”
Despite not being strictly necessary, Morrissey felt compelled to delve deeper into Malcolm’s character in “Daddy Issues”, as he explained, “I found myself yearning for a more comprehensive understanding of this person. Intriguingly, I pondered, ‘What experiences has this man gone through that led him to this point in his life?’ This is why I felt the need to flesh out his background.”
He suggests that Malcolm was cared for by a band and may have been treated like a doormat. Everything seems to have been done for him, which makes it appear as though he was bullied. Growing up, his household was loud and masculine, with much noise and shouting. What stands out about Malcolm is his timidity. Given my size at six feet three, I find it unusual that he is so timid, leading me to wonder if something traumatic happened in his past, causing him to be fearful.
He’s deeply affected by his divorce, struggling to cope and function in life as he feels his world has been taken away from him. This leaves me wondering, ‘What was the nature of their relationship?’ Many men I know might not be as badly off as Malcolm, but they’re seemingly adrift, unsure of their direction. I connected him with a few people I know, some acquaintances and others whom I’ve only read about.
Even though Morrissey aims to move away from his dramatic acting roles, he treats comedy with great sincerity.
He mentions that when he watches comedy, if he doesn’t feel connected to the characters, it won’t hold his interest and won’t make him laugh. In other words, for him to find humor in a performance, he needs to genuinely care about the people on screen.
Tonight, at 9 PM, catch “Daddy Issues” on BBC Three (August 15th, Thursday). You can stream the entire series ahead of time on BBC iPlayer.
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2024-08-15 13:05