Messiah V – The Rapture
Marc Warren plays DCI Walker
Messiah returns to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One with a new team and a new face at the helm. Marc Warren makes his debut as DCI Joseph Walker in the two-part series, on the trail of a serial killer attempting to bring about the end of the world.
Ìý
For Marc Warren, taking over from the much-loved Ken Stott in the leading role was serendipitous.
Ìý
"It was quite strange because Ken Stott is a great mate of mine. He was a sort of mentor to me," says Marc.
Ìý
"I sent Ken a text actually, pretty early on. I said how easy he made it look, which he does. It is a responsibility but it's one I'm ready to take on."
Ìý
DCI Joseph Walker has to deal with a series of sadistic and elaborately staged murders during the fifth outing for Messiah. For Marc, the grittiness appealed to him after the flamboyance of his Hustle character.
Ìý
"I wanted to do something that was a bit real and a bit minimal. I wanted to see if I could still do that because doing nothing is quite tricky," observes Marc.
Ìý
Marc was able to hone and develop the subtlety of the role with help from director, Harry Bradbeer.
Ìý
"Harry is loose and fluid and perfect for this. We found the scene when we got to the set and that completely suits Harry's style – the way he directs and the way he shot it."
Ìý
Messiah begins with Joseph Walker in Israel, a contented man with a bright future, but with a certain inevitably events take a turn for the worse.
Ìý
"The opening image is quite happy-go-lucky but everything changes and this dark isolated character appears," says Marc.
Ìý
"Abandonment of faith is quite integral to the plot and that is all revealed in the final scenes."
Ìý
Joseph Walker is not alone in going on a journey during the course of Messiah. It has been a transitional experience for Marc Warren, taking a major leading role for the first time.
Ìý
"Messiah has been different in that I am now getting to that point where I'm taking on responsibilities, in that I'm heading up the cast.
Ìý
"Being on set is a place I feel very confident and very sure of myself but it's taken a little while to find that level of responsibility on this," says Warren.
Ìý
"When you are doing a job it just takes over everything."
Ìý