Del Synnott is DC
Alan Carter
'What if' isn't part of Del Synnott's vocabulary because it's clear
that he loves what he does for a living and has no regrets about his
choice of career.
However, that doesn't stop the 26-year-old actor from helping out with
his friend's painting and decorating business when he's off camera.
"I love painting and find it therapeutic. Plus we just have such a
laugh on the job. It also keeps me active when I'm not on set, otherwise
I'd just sit around all day on Playstation or watching DVDs," he laughs.
Synnott's character in Murphy's Law, DC Alan Carter, has grown up since
last year and has much more responsibility in series two.
Fast-tracked at the age of 24, Carter was the one playing it by the
book, always trying to keep Murphy on the straight and narrow.
"Previously Carter was the fall guy, the one who provided the laughs
because he didn't quite get the point or take the risks. But now he's
much more on Murphy's side and willing to take the risks that Murphy
takes.
"Carter is Murphy's conscience! He has to be a lot tougher as
well in this series," he says.
"It's great that he's changed, even down to his clothes - he has a
sharper image and dare I say, more dashing!" he laughs.
On a six month shoot there are bound to be mishaps and one in particular
could have been written by Bateman!
"We were shooting a scene where Jimmy and I were on a stake-out.
"When the props guys came to set the scene for us there was a
parked car with no sign of the owner, so they rolled out their mini-forklifts
and moved the car around the corner. But it turned out the car was a
Special Branch observation car that had been there for months and we
ruined the operation. Talk about art imitating life!
"Luckily the police saw the funny side of things but not before
two of the props guys were nicked", he laughs.
In series two Carter has to deal not only with his own grief at losing
a close colleague but Murphy's grief when DI Annie Guthrie is fatally
stabbed in the first episode.
"Carter misses Annie a lot but has to act quickly to get Murphy back
on track and pushes his own pain aside to help Murphy deal with his.
"It's Carter's straight talking that pulls Murphy out of the mire
and persuades him back to work for Annie's sake and to catch the killer,"
he explains.
"This gets to Murphy and he is driven back to work."
Synnott has had a lot more input into how his character has developed
since the last series which he attributes to producer, Jemma Rodgers.
"Early into filming Jemma pulled me aside and told me to play Carter
just how I felt. It was so liberating because now I've played the role
for two years no-one knows Carter better than me and Jemma and the directors
recognised that."
Synnott has immense respect for co-star Jimmy Nesbitt and has learnt
much from him.
"Jimmy is just phenomenal. He's so professional and encouraging and
never fails in his performance.
"Even when he's been out the night before, taken the kids to school,
been in every scene the day before and is absolutely knackered, there
are times when you think there is just no way he can pull this off when
bang! - he just nails it.
"He knows how to work the camera and when there's a dark and difficult
scene he keeps the banter going before and after. The atmosphere is
always up and that is pure skill," he says.
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