Linus Roache: Well, Law and Order for me now, the, what they call the mother ship, is over. That show’s over. I’ve been guesting on L&OSVU as the same character. I’m not sure if that’s going to continue or not. Um, I’ve just got a pilot for a show for ABC that I’m  going back to shoot next week, um with Roland Demerick, a, directing. It’s his idea, ah,  concept that he’s had. Um, and ABC has basically given him free reign to create the show, which is pretty exciting, (hand gestures broadly) and so I’m joining that next week  and we’ll see if the show’s good and gets picked up.

 

Interviewer (deep male voice): Is, is there anything you can tell us ?

 

LR: Well, the title, it hasn’t got a title yet. It’s the untitled Roland Demerick  project at this point. But it’s kind of a supernatural thriller, set in New York, modern day, a, it’s the ultimate fight between good and evil.  And so it’s quite, ...big and ambitious, and a lot, the pilot’s great. I mean, I loved it. Loved reading it. I’ve got a fantastic part, this very ambitious Senator, who’s trying to get into the White House. So, fingers crossed. I mean, I’m really excited about it.

 

I: You’ve clearly got a very good American accent...

 

LR: Well, I’ve been doing, well, I hope so, I get away, I say I get away with it. I mean I’m pretty non-specific. I mean, I’m more East Coast, my accent. But I, a, a, been doing it for a long time now. I mean, if you do 4 years on a show, doing it everyday, then, a, I have to be careful I don’t get lazy. But yeah, a, people, some people in America, actually think I’m an American. So, that’s a compliment.

 

I: ...the ultimate compliment. Yeah, yeah, you’re based, you’re based in New York I think ?

 

LR: Yeah, in New York and upstate Mass.

 

I: Right. Is it because that’s where the work is? Or just, just life style choice ?

 

LR: Oh, no, no. Life style choice. Really, yeah, yeah. My wife got a job over there and, a, what is it, we had friends there, we’re traveling there a lot. I mean, I did start to work in Canada, funnily enough, a, for like the year before I moved. I was doing 3 projects back to back in Canada. So I felt already like I wasn’t located in England. I didn’t need to stay in England to get work. But it was still quite a move, you know to go to America. And now I think I’m less known here, so I’m actually glad to have done Titanic. Hopefully people will remember me,  that I’m still English, and be happy to work here. For many reasons it’s great, it’s great working in the British Industry again, a, love working with British actors. I like playing British roles, and I don’t get asked to play them very much in the States. So, yeah, I’d be very happy.

 

I: Is that surprising, (LR: What?) not to be playing British roles in the States ?

 

LR: It’s funny isn’t it? I mean, well most of the parts obviously are going to be American, but, a, I don’t know why that is. I think I’m just seen, and I’ve been playing Americans, what I’m known for there is playing Yanks. (interviewer laughs)

 

I: Have you worked with, on a Julian Fellows project before ?

 

LR: No, I never have, I’ve always admired since Gosford Park been a big admirer. He’s actually a friend of my father’s, so there’s been this sort of connection, but I, he’s always been in my mind, you know I’d love to do something with him someday. And so when this came along, it, a, it was one of those moments where it’s just like, this is a no brainer. And I know when something’s right for me, when I actually really frightened I’m not going to get it, or it’s going to fall through, or the deals going to fall through, so, you know when that happens, I know I’m on to something.

 

I: Right, right. Did you, did you put your hand up for a part in the third series of Downton Place ? 

 

LR: Well, no ...?... was joking that our characters you know if we survive, then we could actually come in, (laughs) I don’t think Julian would do that but, a, but of course the a, first episode of the Titanic, oh, (shakes head) of um Downton actually started with the sinking of the Titanic.