10 questions for actor Martin Shaw

FROM Coronation Street in the ’60s to The Professionals in the ’70s and ’80s, right through to Judge John Deed and Inspector George Gently, Martin Shaw has been a popular actor on our TV screens for 50 years. His theatre credits are legendary and he narrates many audiobooks and documentaries.

With your experience, do directors back off?

Yes, there is a tendency with younger directors to do that, to feel they shouldn’t offer advice. They see directing as management rather than guidance which is completely wrong. If an actor has common sense he will always listen to other people.

Do you prefer serious actors or those who just avoid knocking the scenery over?

Ha ha. That’s a good question. I honestly don’t know. I wish I could give you a great answer. I guess it depends on who they are and how much generosity they show to others in the cast.

Have you been lucky with co-stars?

I was blessed to work alongside Sir Laurence Olivier and then Sir John Gielgud, and they were both an absolute joy. But I’ve also worked with others who have been very selfish.

Has your career always been planned?

No, it hasn’t. I’m afraid I’m one of those people who lives in the moment and takes things as they come.

What’s the first movie you saw?

I remember watching Hobson’s Choice with the great Charles Laughton and John Mills when I was young. I also saw that in the theatre, and last year I got to play the role on stage too.

Best advice you can give an aspiring actor?

Acting is all about generosity. It’s not about getting in the way of fellow actors or upstaging them. It’s about listening intensely to the other actors so you can react automatically.

Ever ignored advice and felt silly?

Oh yes. Sir Peter Hall once gave me guidance on how to say a line in a play and I said: “No!” I knew better. Four weeks into the run I found myself doing it his way. He was right all along.

Do audiences whisper “there’s Inspector George Gently” when you walk on stage?

No, I don’t think so. At least I hope not. I always immerse myself in a character and I can change my appearance. It helps when you have a face like mine – it’s like a bag of spanners.