Connect with us


Interviews

Life After Life | Interview with James McArdle (Hugh Todd)

Published

on


Tell us about Life After Life and your character, Hugh.

Life After Life is a four-part drama that takes you through the life or many lives of Ursula Todd, who’s part of the Todd family. Every time, we basically follow this character until she dies and then we start her life again and she gets several attempts at life. Hopefully, it gets a bit better and she is wiser with each try.

Hugh is Ursula’s father, and we meet him at 29 through when he is a 60-year-old. I was horrified that they were more concerned with making me look 29 than 60! Hugh ends up having five children. He gets called up for war service in World War One and it really changes him. In a weird way, I think he’s one of the characters that deal with the changes in life better, because all he cares about is his family, due to the war. For Hugh, his resolve becomes much more about keeping this family together and it’s all he cares about. He’s a selfless, gracious man and there are a lot of Todds!

Tell us about his relationship with Ursula and how it develops. 

Advertisement

He falls in love with her the moment he sees her and calls her his little bear. I know you’re not meant to have favourites with your children but he has a real soft spot for her, as she’s a bit odd and she seems to have an inkling that she is repeating these lives again and again. He doesn’t judge her or think it’s weird. In fact, I think it gives them a special bond.

Tell us about the casting of your wife Sylvie. 

Sian Clifford plays my wife Sylvie Todd. I’ve known Sian for 11 years and never thought we’d play husband and wife. It’s really served us, I hope, in terms of that familiarity with each other and in the sense of what a marriage really is. We know each other’s habits, tics and insecurities and I hope it’s given a sense of time in a marriage. When we arrived on set we had some pretty intense intimate scenes to do together and I just kept thinking, I cannot imagine doing this just having met this actor. It’s such a bonus.

Have you had a favourite scene to shoot, or a favourite moment on set?

Advertisement

I know this is a cheesy thing that actors say, but this has been one of my favourite jobs I’ve ever done. Everyone was so galvanised towards this ambitious goal, and there was a good energy on set.

My character’s 60th birthday was during World War Two, so they gave me this cake. The cake was actually a rationed cake so it was pretty bleak. John [Crowley] made a big fuss about how they rationed the cakes at that time. But then during a take, they surprised me and bought out an M&S Colin The Caterpillar cake! So even in these stressful situations, people are still playing pranks.

What’s it been like working with John [Crowley]?

I’m not articulate when I talk about him because it’s ridiculous how much I admire him. He never puts pressure on you, he sort of lets you take it anywhere, and if you’re taking it somewhere truthful he encourages that. I trust him implicitly.

Advertisement

What would be the best benefit for you for living your life over and over?

I could be a vet. I’d give up my silly acting job and be a vet or a marine biologist.

Can you sum up Life After Life?

It’s a life-affirming tale with family at the heart of it.

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News1 hour ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News1 hour ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News2 hours ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News2 hours ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News2 hours ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News2 hours ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News2 hours ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News2 hours ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

James Martin's Saturday Morning James Martin's Saturday Morning
News7 mins ago

Michaela Strachan, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, 30 March 2024, ITV1

ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning is the perfect relaxed culinary companion to your weekend, airing every Saturday morning from the...

Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow
News8 mins ago

Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff 3, Antiques Roadshow, 31 March 2024, BBC One

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visits Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff, for an episode full of exciting discoveries and fascinating...

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World
News9 mins ago

Grand Finale, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World, 29 March 2024, BBC Three

BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World sees queens from the Drag Race franchise across the globe compete...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News9 mins ago

Natasha Raskin Sharp, Bargain Hunt, 29 March 2024, BBC One

BBC One’s Bargain Hunt sees two teams compete against each other to make the most profit from buying and selling...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News10 mins ago

Chernobyl: The Full Story, 29 March 2024, Channel 5,

Powerful documentary, Chernobyl: The Full Story, narrated by Ben Fogle, airs on Friday 29 March 2024 at 10.00pm on Channel...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News13 mins ago

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rovaniemi, 29 March 2024, Channel 4,

Join Joe Lycett and a suited-up Desiree Burch for a new episode of Travel Man as they pack their bags...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News14 mins ago

The Sewer Map of Britain, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, Friday

Prepare for an enlightening journey into the underworld on Friday 29 March 2024 at 8.00pm on Channel 5 with The...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News15 mins ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Popular