Martin Compston: ‘As Brits, we need to fight for our NHS and BBC’

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Martin Compston seems ready for a fight, and it’s likely due to his new role in ITV’s thriller, Red Eye. The show is a fast-paced, over-the-top conspiracy story where he plays Clay Brody, a muscular CIA agent stationed at the US Embassy in London. You’ll see him walking around the redeveloped Battersea area, looking sharp in a perfectly fitted suit.

Compston pulls off the suit convincingly, almost as much as he masters the intense, distant look he gives when he’s not fighting – engaging in old-fashioned hand-to-hand combat, smashing opponents through windows, and so on – or speaking quietly to himself. “Playing a troubled character is always enjoyable,” Compston explains, “and Brody’s past is complicated. We believe he’s a good person, and he performs acts of kindness, but his true identity remains a mystery.”

Red Eye features numerous intense fight sequences. These aren’t just brawls; they’re like fast-paced, carefully planned dances, and everyone involved is incredibly athletic.

Compston praised their stunt coordinator and the stunt team, saying it was fantastic working with them on the action scenes. He highlighted the strong trust developed when performing physically demanding stunts involving others.

It’s not just about building trust; Martin Compston has also been getting in shape. Since our last conversation in 2020, while discussing his role in the thriller The Nest, he’s been working out regularly. He admits he’s always enjoyed fitness, likely from his soccer background, but also loves a good pint and pizza. He jokes that he needs the workouts to balance out his less-than-perfect diet.

He committed fully to the physical demands of the role, training often with Kieron Hawkes, the director of Red Eye. They became close friends, and Kieron introduced him to Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art. He trained four to five times a week, and during the filming of Red Eye, they even lived in the same building, which had a gym, allowing them to train together at night.

Jing Lusi, who starred alongside Martin Compston in Red Eye, described how he maintained incredible discipline even during grueling filming days. They often worked long hours, and while she’d collapse on the sofa to rest, he’d head to the gym. She recalled one instance while filming at a location meant to represent the American embassy – a fourth-floor building – where he’d repeatedly run up and down the stairs instead of taking the elevator, ‘like a squirrel!’

It’s easy to see why. While Martin Compston does a lot of running in Line of Duty, Vicky McClure is the real powerhouse of that show. And in Red Eye, Compston truly shines as an action hero.

Harrison Ford believes actors should perform as many of their own stunts as possible. He explained that seeing the real risk and effort on an actor’s face creates a stronger connection with the audience. When a stunt is clearly done by a professional and the camera cuts to a wider shot, that connection is weakened. Ford praised Tom Cruise as the best in the industry because Cruise consistently does his own stunts, allowing viewers to experience the danger alongside him. He also noted that the movie Red Eye allowed him to perform a significant number of his own stunts, which he appreciated.

Stepping into Richard Armitage’s role wasn’t easy, those were some seriously big shoes to fill – and he is a real movie star, I’m a big fan of his work in The Hobbit! But honestly, I welcomed the challenge. The first season of Red Eye was a huge hit, so the expectation was to build on that success, to make things even more exciting. And I think we really delivered. It’s a good kind of pressure, knowing you’re aiming higher.

Crucially, for Compston, it’s also fun.

It’s like we’re all just adults playing make-believe, similar to classic action movies. The show’s creator, Pete Dowling, was inspired by films like Die Hard, Speed, and The Fugitive – movies that aren’t always realistic but are incredibly enjoyable. As the series progresses, it becomes increasingly over-the-top, but that’s the point – it’s pure entertainment. People sometimes just want to switch off and be amused, and that’s different from serious dramas like Mr Bates Versus the Post Office. Red Eye fits perfectly into that space, making it ideal viewing right now.

While some viewers might enjoy it – to borrow a phrase, it’s exactly the kind of show those viewers are looking for – Red Eye requires a lot of effort to watch. It makes you wonder how Gordon Compston prepares for his role.

I’ve seen actors approach their work in many different ways. Some fully immerse themselves in the role, while others can seamlessly transition from chatting about their personal life to becoming the character. There isn’t one correct method. As long as an actor can effectively portray what’s written in the script, I’m satisfied. Ultimately, what happens behind the scenes doesn’t really matter.

I’ve always been fascinated by how Martin Compston approaches those really emotional scenes in his shows. It’s interesting because he actually started with Ken Loach’s Sweet Sixteen – he went to an open audition and got the part! He doesn’t have any formal drama school training, which makes his process even more intriguing. He told me he just finds a quiet space to get into the right mindset. He really dislikes it when a film set gets all tense and someone starts showboating, trying to prove they’re ‘becoming’ the character. He finds that so off-putting!

I wondered if starring in suspenseful shows and movies like ‘Red Eye’ and ‘Line of Duty’ had altered how Compston views reality.

He recalls a time when fictional stories seemed far-fetched, but now reality itself feels unbelievable. He notes that current events are so extraordinary, a conspiracy theory show would likely be dismissed as not being outlandish enough. He adds, with a touch of dark humor, that it often feels like we’re all watching a bizarre reality show unfold in real time.

Does the state of the world worry him, especially as the father of a young child?

He paused, then explained that focusing solely on personal safety can lead to isolation. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of ‘things are getting worse, so I’ll just take care of my own family,’ but that’s exactly what those in power want. We need to be careful not to become selfish and lose sight of the things we should be protecting.

And here we reach the other root of Compston’s current combativeness.

It really frustrates me when I hear people criticize the National Health Service. Having spent a lot of time in the US, I always find it strange to hear American politicians say they don’t want their healthcare system to become like Britain’s. The NHS is something Britain should be incredibly proud of – it’s one of the best things about our country.

Compston remembers being told he needed an MRI after a small car accident in Los Angeles. He was shocked by the $2,000 price tag, but the doctor advised him to use the other driver’s insurance. This made Compston realize the whole system seemed designed to benefit the healthcare industry itself, which he found discouraging. He described it as a bit of a scam.

Given the discussion about cherished institutions facing challenges, does Compston share those concerns when it comes to the BBC, which has been facing a lot of criticism lately?

The BBC is a fantastic organization, and while there’s always room for improvement, the value it provides is exceptional. If a streaming service like Netflix, Apple, or Amazon offered the same range of channels, dramas, radio programs, and podcasts for the same price as the license fee, people would recognize it as a great deal. I definitely think the license fee is worth it. As for my show, ‘Red Eye,’ airing at 9pm on ITV is a prime spot. Both ITV and BBC1 at that time reach a nationwide audience – it’s the best possible exposure for an actor.

This brings me nicely to Line of Duty, and it feels like perfect timing. Compston once mentioned to TopMob that he’d be upset if people stopped asking him about the show, so I didn’t want to risk making the 41-year-old actor unhappy. Thankfully, he just smiles when I bring it up.

We always expected to collaborate again eventually, but Jed Mercurio, the writer and creator of Line of Duty, was firm that he wouldn’t return unless he had a compelling story. He also insisted on waiting until everything was definite before making any announcements. I understand that approach – you don’t want to build up fans’ excitement by saying you’re making another series, only to be unable to give them a release date.

Now that the popular police drama is confirmed to be returning, fans are wondering when the AC-12 unit will reunite.

He’s excited to return next year and work with the team again, describing them as close friends rather than just colleagues. He’s particularly looking forward to being back in Belfast and having Vicky manage everything.

Is there anything he can say about the story?

“I think it’s going to be quite,” he pauses for effect, “explosive.”

Combative, perhaps. But Martin Compston is also feeling contented.

The new drama, Red Eye, will debut on ITV and STV on New Year’s Day. You can also watch it on demand through ITVX and the STV Player.

Don’t miss ‘Red Eye’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob ‘What to Watch’ app. Download the app now for daily TV suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer. He’s reviewed countless shows as a critic and interviewed hundreds of notable figures, including Liza Minnelli and Jimmy Savile, as a feature writer. He’s also worked as a writer on television programs.

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2025-12-30 10:36