We spoke with actor John Simm about ITVs three-part thriller, Trauma, which concluded last night…
This Monday on ITV and the BBC, you could barely move for John Simm dramas.
ITV had the first of three consecutive nights ofTrauma, a thriller fromDoctor Fosterwriter Mike Bartlett.
In it, Simm played Dan Bowker, the bereaved parent of a teenage stabbing victim.
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I think its all those things.
Obsession would certainly describe my character, Dan.
So, who is to blame for that?
Dan becomes obsessed with the idea that the surgeon is to blame, then?
He is very tenacious and he wont let it go.
He thinks hes been lied to and he does go to some extreme lengths.
He does some extreme things.
It occurred to me in the first episode that Dan would make a good detective.
I guess it is.
He takes it up himself against everything thats happening, his life is dissolving, his marriage is unravelling.
Why isnt he blaming the kid that stabbed him?
He just cant let it go.
Its a three-parter so I dont want to give away the ending, but he does get vindicated really.
Why, in your mind, doesnt Dan pursue Alexs attacker?
Why do you think he turns his attention where he does?
I thought about that when I was doing it.
and he says no.
I think he takes umbrage with the fact that he did that to him and yet his sons dead.
Hes going to be fine.
We get this all the time.
He definitely blames the surgeon, because thatswherehe died.
He says at one point, you were the last person to see him alive.
I cant really give much more away!
Were putting our loved ones lives into the hands of strangers, albeit highly qualified strangers.
And he goes through all the proper channels.
He kind of unravels and loses his mind and does something really stupid.
I think maybe the audience would switch allegiance between the two characters throughout the piece.
You mention the different social status between the two men.
How important is Dans sense of class injustice?
He says in episode one, I just wasnt born to the right people and neither was my son.
Theres self-pity in there as well.
Theres a great sense of injustice in there.
You mentioned the audience switching allegiance.
Are you expecting viewers to pick sides as this goes along then?
I dont know, Im not sure actually.
I guess so, I guess thats whats clever about Mike Bartletts writing.
You dont know whos in the wrong.
Does that ring true for you with the character?
Its a very good point.
I never thought about that, I never thought that because hes male thats how hes supposed to behave.
Thats a new one on me but Ill think about that.
I think thats pretty relevant.
Do you remember that?
I dont rememberanythinglike that!
I had no idea that he was aDoctor Whofan, but I loved his episode.
His episode was great.
Oh, thats good.
What memories you have of filming that with Peter and Michelle and Pearl?
I just remember it was a lot of fun, it was great.
I particularly loved the one where I was dressed up as Razor.
That was fun to do, to look completely different.
It was great fun and a real honour as well to be able to work with Peter.
Ive been through two Doctors in my time, and not a lot of people can say that!
Both terrific actors as well.
Nothing more particular from that?
I cant think of one specific.
Its just a blessing to do.
Finally then, what can you tell us about your other big TV drama this year,Collateral?
That is a political thriller, David Hare, directed by S.J.
And were lucky enough to watch them, John Simm, thank you very much!
