I hate the word gentle Mackenzie Crook tells us, it just sounds like unfunny.
Its understandable in many ways.
Crooks series is difficult to pigeonhole.
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Thank you very much.
Im really pleased with how its turned out and the reception its been getting.
As a comedy, its not afraid to play the silences.
That was always the idea, to afford a lot of space in between the jokes.
Thats the point, really.
That was always the intention.
It has a strong sense of humour too though, one that avoids schmaltz.
What else were you trying to avoid when you were making it?
I didnt want it to be a parody of these people and their hobbies.
On a website called Den Of Geek, we can certainly understand that.
Im fascinated by people and their past-times.
Im fascinated by the way people use their spare time and get obsessed by a very narrow field.
Youre no stranger to unusual hobbies, I understand you breed tortoises in your spare time?
Yeah, I guess Ive always had hobbies.
My dad always had hobbies.
It sort of runs in the family, that gene, whatever it is, that collections thing.
Men and their sheds?
Now Ive got a shed!
Its a massive generalisation obviously, but I think men probably have more capacity to take it too far.
But thats Lance, thats the way Lance thinks.
Talking about Lance, its wonderful to see your co-star, Toby Jones, doing comedy.
Is that true, that he was nervous about doing a comedy?
Im honoured that he chose my one to be the first!
Its a beautiful bit of writing.
Thats one of my favourite bits, that speech.
I just really fell in love with the character of Lance.
So yeah, I wanted that to be the moment when you think hes actually a good guy.
You could have taken that speech for your character, but you gave it to Toby.
I think I probably could have given myself a few more lines.
[laughing] I gave him loads of stuff, and Im pretty much monosyllabic in the background.
Theres a spate of actors and comedians writing and co-writing their own sitcoms at the moment.
I suppose there always has been.
I suppose I am, just because Ive done a series.
When Im just relying on other people to bring me jobs, thats quite precarious.
It does, in my mind at least, slot in with a raft of similarly low-key British sitcoms.
I dont know if you watchedHim & Her, orRoger And Val Have Just Got In?
There are two different camps arent there?
What was the other one you said was really good, the Chris Addison one?
Trying Againby him and Simon Blackwell.
That went to Sky, but theyve just cancelled it, unfortunately.
Would you sayThe Officepopularised started that strand of non-studio, low-key UK character comedies?
I suppose it did.
Are you of the same mind?
Yeah, Im absolutely of the same mind to be honest.
I dont think a reunion would ever happen.
Youve had the call though?
As I understand it, theyre thinking about writing our characters back in for the fifth one.
I dont know whether itll work out or not, well see.
Looking back at your roles sinceThe Officethen, what are you most proud of?
I did stand-up, then TV, then film, and then eventually theatre.
So the plays that Ive done, I didThe Seagullat the Royal Court and thenJerusalemis the other one.
Is there anything you wish you could take a magic eraser to and delete from your IMDb page?
[laughs] No, not really, because… Its all led to where you are now, I suppose.
Im having a great time, so Ive got no complaints.
My only regret is I wish Id seen Nirvana, thats the only thing Id change.
I had tickets, but I didnt go for some reason.
Mark Gatiss was asked a similar question recently andSex Lives Of The Potato Mencame up.
Was that your memory of making that?
Absolutely, and thats why I didnt saySex Lives Of The Potato Menwhen you asked.
It was a funny experience.
We were big fans ofAlmost Humanand were gutted when Fox cancelled that.
Aw, I know!
Is that what you were told, it just cost too much money?
Is America calling with more roles now then?
Ive been working in the States as much as I want to really.
I dont need to constantly be flying out to America.
You have to tell us aboutGame Of Thrones.
What was the most memorable thing about working with the gang in Iceland?
Theres loads of stories!
It was such an extraordinarily gruelling job.
We went to the north of Iceland in November, where theres about six hours of daylight.
You went skinny dipping with, who would that be…
Kit Harrington and Rose Leslie and the chap who plays Tormund?
Yes, the four of us, and it was a boiling, boiling hot pool, seriously hot.
Then we all got out and put our clothes back on and came back out into the snow.
I didnt think of that.
Its similar isnt it, when I look up at the eagle.
I might claim that was deliberate.
Are you working on any more scripts at the moment?
At one point you were working on an English period feature?
Thats trundling along, nothing much happening with that.
Im always thinking of ideas and trying to keep writing.
[A second series commission was announced on Thursday the 6th of November.]
Is your cast secured for another series?
I think were going to have to get in there quick, because Toby is in demand.
I have to ask you this because its a site tradition do you have a favourite Jason Statham film?
[laughs] No.
I dont think Ive ever seen one.
I dont think Ive ever seen one.
My final,Detectorists-themed question, then: did you watchUniversity Challengethis week?
I havent seen it this week!
No, I havent.
I love general knowledge quizzes.
Mackenzie Crook, thank you very much!
The Detectorists is out on DVD on Monday the 10th of November.
