Interview with Al Weaver
Interview with Al Weaver, who plays James Edwards, Investigative Reporter for The Herald.
Published: 2 September 2018
It’s the first time some of the audience, including myself, has been given fly-on-the-wall status in to this machine that dictates so many of our lives and views
Al Weaver plays James Edwards, Investigative Reporter for The Herald.
Tell us about your character
I play an investigative journalist for The Herald newspaper, which is similar to The Guardian in terms of politics and size. He’s moralistic, single minded, Holly’s (Charlotte Riley’s character) closest thing to a friend, and constantly challenging the policies, duties and ambitions of the paper.
Was there anything surprising you discovered about journalists and the world of news in your research? Did it make you change your opinions about journalists or the newspaper industry?
The main thing for me was how obsessive and inconvenient the job can be. Not unlike being an actor strangely. These people never stop and it seems the main fatality is a loss of personal life and time to oneself. You’re completely at the mercy of the ever-changing world around you. As it unfolds, you react and report... date night or not.
Why do you think Press will appeal to audiences?
It’s the first time some of the audience, including myself, has been given fly-on-the-wall status in to this machine that dictates so many of our lives and views. In the same way, Yes Minister or House Of Cards and The West Wing gave us an insight into the workings of state policy and the day to day workings of government, Press gives you a first-hand look at life inside the walls of the newspaper makers, good and bad - and that makes for great stories and ultimately a great drama series.
