Blast from the Past: Philip Glenister talks about his new drama based around Euro 96 and the Manchester IRA bombing
The three-part series – from the team behind Broadchurch – tells the story of a city, an era and two very different families whose lives collide in the aftermath
With World Cup fever just around the corner, it should make it easier for many of us to cast our minds back 18 years, when England was full of optimism as it staged Euro ’96. And that’s exactly when this gripping new drama is set.
Starring Life On Mars actor Philip Glenister, the action kicks off in June 1996 on the day an IRA bomb destroyed much of Manchester city centre. The three-part series – from the same team behind hit murder mystery Broadchurch – tells the story of a city, an era and two very different families whose lives collide in the aftermath of the bomb.
Philip, who also starred in Ashes To Ashes and Mad Dogs, plays Daniel Cotton. He lives a seemingly charmed life in well-to-do Cheshire with wife Clare (Saskia Reeves) and their two grown-up kids. Daniel runs a sweet factory with his dad Samuel (Bernard Hill), while his streetwise brother Robbo (Steven Mackintosh) is the black sheep of the family who runs a nightclub in a rough part of town.
“I suppose the story is seen through Daniel’s eyes and it’s his journey,” says Philip, 51. “He was adopted from an early age by his dad and they have a successful family business. So it all seems rosey.”
In the opening episode we see Daniel playing the family peace-maker, arranging to watch England versus Scotland with his warring dad and brother. “I’m trying to bring together the family, particularly dad and Robbo,” explains Philip. “I’ve arranged to have them both meet me in a hotel in Manchester’s Arndale Centre. And we’ve got Euro ’96 going on too. I want us to all sit down as father and sons and watch the football and bond.”
But when an IRA bomb decimates the Arndale, the three men are caught up in the blast, along with single mum and hotel cleaner Joanne (Liz White). Surviving such a near-death experience starts their lives spinning out of control. And over the following two episodes – which span the next four years taking us through to the Millennium – shaken Philip becomes both restless and reckless. “The script was a page turner,” raves Philip. “After the first episode, I read the second and third ones. "That’s always a sign it’s pretty hot!”
Although Philip lives in the south, he describes Manchester as his “adoptive second city”. “I haven’t been back since I finished filming Life On Mars,” he says. “So it’s lovely to return.”
My is my TV Life: Philip Glenister
We take a look back at the celebrated actor's career...
CLOCKING OFF (2000-02): Philip played textile factory boss Mack. "It was the first thing of significance in terms of acting."
LIFE ON MARS and ASHES TO ASHES (2006-10): The nation loved Phil as brutal, politically incorrect Manc detective Gene Hunt.
CRANFORD (2007): He joined an all-star cast in this rural drama, playing land agent Mr Carter. "I wanted to do something very, very different."
MAD DOGS (2011-13): Phil reunited with his Life Phil reunited with his Life On Mars sidekick John Simm in this crime caper set in Majorca.
With World Cup fever just around the corner, it should make it easier for many of us to cast our minds back 18 years, when England was full of optimism as it staged Euro ’96. And that’s exactly when this gripping new drama is set.
Starring Life On Mars actor Philip Glenister, the action kicks off in June 1996 on the day an IRA bomb destroyed much of Manchester city centre. The three-part series – from the same team behind hit murder mystery Broadchurch – tells the story of a city, an era and two very different families whose lives collide in the aftermath of the bomb.
Philip, who also starred in Ashes To Ashes and Mad Dogs, plays Daniel Cotton. He lives a seemingly charmed life in well-to-do Cheshire with wife Clare (Saskia Reeves) and their two grown-up kids. Daniel runs a sweet factory with his dad Samuel (Bernard Hill), while his streetwise brother Robbo (Steven Mackintosh) is the black sheep of the family who runs a nightclub in a rough part of town.
“I suppose the story is seen through Daniel’s eyes and it’s his journey,” says Philip, 51. “He was adopted from an early age by his dad and they have a successful family business. So it all seems rosey.”
In the opening episode we see Daniel playing the family peace-maker, arranging to watch England versus Scotland with his warring dad and brother. “I’m trying to bring together the family, particularly dad and Robbo,” explains Philip. “I’ve arranged to have them both meet me in a hotel in Manchester’s Arndale Centre. And we’ve got Euro ’96 going on too. I want us to all sit down as father and sons and watch the football and bond.”
But when an IRA bomb decimates the Arndale, the three men are caught up in the blast, along with single mum and hotel cleaner Joanne (Liz White). Surviving such a near-death experience starts their lives spinning out of control. And over the following two episodes – which span the next four years taking us through to the Millennium – shaken Philip becomes both restless and reckless. “The script was a page turner,” raves Philip. “After the first episode, I read the second and third ones. "That’s always a sign it’s pretty hot!”
Although Philip lives in the south, he describes Manchester as his “adoptive second city”. “I haven’t been back since I finished filming Life On Mars,” he says. “So it’s lovely to return.”
My is my TV Life: Philip Glenister
We take a look back at the celebrated actor's career...
CLOCKING OFF (2000-02): Philip played textile factory boss Mack. "It was the first thing of significance in terms of acting."
LIFE ON MARS and ASHES TO ASHES (2006-10): The nation loved Phil as brutal, politically incorrect Manc detective Gene Hunt.
CRANFORD (2007): He joined an all-star cast in this rural drama, playing land agent Mr Carter. "I wanted to do something very, very different."
MAD DOGS (2011-13): Phil reunited with his Life Phil reunited with his Life On Mars sidekick John Simm in this crime caper set in Majorca.
Original article can be found here.
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