There are more werewolves than ever in series three of Being Human, with Robson Green and Michael Socha joining the cast as McNair and Tom. Their presence causes multiple problems for resident vampire Mitchell – as well as the current amnesiac house guest, vampire supremo Herrick… Words: Paul Simpson

How much did you know about the show before you came on board?

Robson Green: I knew about it because Declan O’Dwyer, a very close friend of mine, directed the pilot and another friend, Alex Pillai, directed some of the first series. So I did watch it – but in the end I carried on because of Toby’s creation and the writing. It’s lovely: the relationships are so unique and offbeat. It was current and vibey. It’s good TV.

Michael Socha: I’d never seen an episode. I’d heard really good things though: when I said I was going for a meeting, everyone was saying, “Make sure you go, make sure you get it.” I’ve only watched it while I’ve been here, but I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen. It’s bloody amazing.

What are your characters’ backgrounds?

Robson: We play this supposed father/son relationship. Twenty years ago, my character was a surveyor going to the shop for fish and chips; he’s abducted by vampires and made to fight to the death in a cage with a werewolf. To cut a long, very convoluted and very entertaining story short, I win but come out with a scratch which turns me into the creature, and every full moon, chaos ensures. In that time I’ve taken on this boy. We dupe the audience into thinking he’s my son.

Juxtaposed alongside that is Sinead’s character having a baby, so she and George have got all their questions about the birth. They think there’s a common ground we can talk about, but throughout there’s a twist, which is bordering on The Sixth Sense, I have to say!

It’s a really enjoyable programme to be part of; the actors are great. The timing is wonderful, there’s comedy, sadness. It’s got all those elements for good viewing. Toby’s words are easy to learn – good writing always is.

Did you enjoy playing werewolves?

Michael: It’s the first time I’ve played anything other than a human – and normally chavvy humans as well! This time it’s different, and I’m glad they gave me the chance. It’s good to scream: I’ve never had to frigging scream a lot when something is really painful. The transformation is like a therapy!

Robson: When I got the call, my agent said “He’s a werewolf." I said, “I’m no stranger to the sweet trolley… I’m not in the shape I used to be…” So I’ve taken on a personal trainer full time because this is such a physically demanding job.

Michael’s right. The transformation is liberating and you can’t really bottle out of it, so it takes you to that place. I never went to drama school, but it’s that thing you learn there of not being embarrassed about anything. It’s cathartic and wonderful to do.


How long did it take to shoot the transformations?

Robson: The shooting is quick; it’s the prep. You’re in the chair at 4am. That first day we did the make-up for the test in London it took 10 hours… but now it’s about four to four-and-a-half hours in make-up. It’s an art. The guy who did mine did the Grinch.

I’m really surprised how much they’ve invested in the prosthetics and the make-up. Everyone is so top drawer; they all enjoy the work. You could be ground down by the way the industry is going at the moment with disinvestment, but they really encourage and empower the people here to produce something is beautiful. Absurd and ludicrous as well, but beautiful.

Are your characters villains or heroes?

Michael: A bit of both!

Robson: My character carries a necklace of teeth from the vampires he’s killed. He sets off on this journey to eradicate the world of vampires because of what they’ve done to me, and to Michael. But there is one I’m in pursuit of, which is Herrick.

The denouement of my story comes in a great scene. Herrick doesn’t remember who I am and I refresh his memory of all the things he said to me in the cage. I’m about to eradicate him, and I say “Meet the family.” I remember every one of them and I talk through the teeth… it’s beautiful writing. Then I say, “Place your bets, there’s going to be a dog fight.” And we go into this whole thing. It was a really liberating scene.

Michael: We hate vampires. Every single one. There’s not a good vampire to us. Mitchell is a bit “hold on a moment here” when we arrive so straightaway there’s a confrontation there. We just hate him.

Robson: But that’s the beauty of this scenario: you have a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf living together, so there’s amazing conflict already. They protect each clan: we come in and they’re torn who to protect, and we’re torn. It’s a lovely thing to play: we want to kill Mitchell but we care for Nina and George.

Robson, you’ve acted as producer on projects in the past. Does it feel liberating not having the responsibility of being a producer on this show?

Robson: Yes. It’s freeing. I’ve done my 10 years of getting a company off the ground, selling a programme around the world, pitching, getting the finance. Other people are doing that; I’m just enjoying my acting.

My 10-year-old son is loving me being a werewolf: he’s telling all his mates! He loves all that Twilighty stuff. When I was a clinical psychologist, putting bad people between bars, saving people from imminent death, he thought that was rubbish – but this is fab!

Being Human airs on Sunday nights (BBC Three).