Extremely Dangerous - Production Notes (6)


Last Update: 03 December 1999
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Ralph Brown (Connor)

Ralph's career has spanned both the British and American film industry. His film work has included Star Wars - The Phantom Menace, Wayne's World II, and Amistad directed by Steven Spielberg. He also played Dave in The Crying Game and Danny in the cult film, Withnail and I.

Television work has included Devil's Advocate and Dalziel and Pascoe for the BBC and Ted in West for Channel 4.

Theatre work has included playing Macbeth in Macbeth for Liverpool Everyman and Georgie in Clockwork Orange.

 

What do you remember most about the project?


I remember the make-up. It was decided that I would have to lose my funny little goaty beard, which I usually have, so we got rid of that. I wouldn't have any earrings - I wouldn't have anything in fact and that's a first for me because I'm such a character actor that I always like gathering various kinds of crops and bits of hair and false noses and for once I was clean - except for the Manchester accent.

That was it really. The rest of it was just rehearsing and getting to know Juliet properly because we have to be fairly intimate. Arguing about lines and things and just trying to shape it because it was stuck together quite quickly and there were all various things you had to iron out in rehearsals. But Sallie was really good - brilliant - we got on really well.

I hadn't seen anything she'd done - not that I'm aware of it, anyway. I just take them as I find them really, you know they may have directed something else really brilliant but you still might find that they are a bit sticky - you know it just depends on the personality and I thought we worked very well together.

For instance, she had a really bold way of approaching the sex scene between Juliet and myself. It was quite a challenge really to work those particular scenes as I've never been asked to take my clothes off before and I'm 42 years old, so I didn't think I'd ever be asked! It makes you feel quite vulnerable. I have to say Juliet was fantastic. She's brilliant.

 

The rest of the cast?

I got on really well with Douglas, he plays my apprentice, and he was rather good. He was very
cool and so I used to teach him a lot about what he was and what he's supposed to do. I said "Douglas, it's your first BBQ and your bound to get burnt - that's the way it goes." But he was very good-natured.

 

How about Sean?

I've met Sean a number of times before, but funnily enough although in some ways we're the two main male cast in it I only worked with Sean on one day. Actually we did a flashback day and the swimming pool day and poor old Sean was like up to his nose in water pretty much. Then I had to get shot which went nastily wrong. It went up in my face like fireworks. I'm scared of water and Sean had been sitting in the pool all day getting absolutely exhausted so I said I'd do it and one of the fireworks went up in my face. I didn't really notice until I got out of the pool and my face was all cut up. They had to be careful with the make-up for the rest of the week.
Everyone was really worried and they said they were never letting any actors do stunts again. You can't be too careful with those kinds of things.

 

Did you find Murray's writing good and easy to listen to. Is Murray Smith's writing quite easy as an actor?

Yes it is. It's great, and I thought it played rather well.

 

Is this your largest TV role?

I'd suppose it is yes. Funnily enough I've played bigger roles in films. I've never been a television star partly through choice. I was in The Bill a couple of years ago and I really liked it but, perhaps stupidly, I didn't want to follow that. By now I'd probably have my own series and have become a bit more famous but it could have gone the other way and I really wanted to do films.

But Connor is such a horror of a man, he's a joy to play! What he does to Neil and Annie, and the way he treats the syndicate. The man is an out and out psychopath.

Next: Juliet Aubrey (Annie Fleming)

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