“WHAT I’ve had once or twice is people saying:
‘Oh, hello. I know you…what’s your name again?’
“I say, ‘Rowan Atkinson.’
“And they say, ‘No, no, no.’
“A most peculiar idea where you tell people your name and they don’t believe you.
“Or they assume you’re joking. That you’ve made something up.
“For your identity to be denied to your face is potentially quite disturbing.”
Rowan Atkinson talking to me about his experiences on public transport.
“YOU can come up with a caricature in a relatively short space of time.
“But if you want a character, that takes longer.
“All characters for me are a voyage of discovery.”
Rowan Atkinson talking to me about how his portrayal of Maigret has developed.
Ahead of Maigret’s Night At The Crossroads (ITV, 8pm Easter Sunday).
Rowan’s third appearance in the role – in a series that has really hit its stride.
Terrific, compelling, thoughtful, top quality drama and so beautifully written, directed and filmed.
“I hope people find the stories engaging. I think they will.
“I’m quite good at not doing very much on screen.”
Rowan Atkinson talking to me in Budapest last November while working on two major new TV films.
Maigret (ITV, 9pm Easter Monday) marks his debut in the role of the original television detective who set the benchmark for all who followed.
Adapted from the books by legendary author Georges Simenon.
The casting of the Blackadder and Mr Bean star as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret made headlines around the world when it was first announced last year.
It was fascinating to watch his transformation into the French detective during filming in the Hungarian capital.
Doubling for Paris in the 1950s because it looks far more like that city at that time than modern Paris does today.
Darkness had fallen on location at a former Budapest brewery when shooting wrapped for the day.
The moment for me to interview Rowan in his trailer for the ITV press pack / production notes.
He did not disappoint.
Perfect lives built on lies.
Breathless is a six-part ITV drama starting at 9pm this Thursday (October 10).
Set in 1961, it is stylish, compelling and one of the best new drama series you will see this year.
The cast – led by Jack Davenport – doing full justice to top class writing, directing and photography.
Not forgetting the production team behind some memorable costumes, sets, locations and all round attention to period detail and feel.
Or the Anne Dudley soundtrack and a collection of inspired episode music choices.
Drawing you into a pre-swinging sixties’ world where everything may not be as it first seems.
I was asked to write the interviews for ITV’s press pack / production notes.
THE final episode tonight of ITV1’s latest Above Suspicion story.
So perhaps a good time to post my feature interview with leading lady Kelly Reilly online.
I met up with her in London last month.
Life of Wylie 