‘I’m grateful to be a character actor. I don’t particularly enjoy being recognised’: Life according to… actor Sean Gilder

Former Shameless star Sean Gilder on starring alongside Jack Lowden in The Fifth Step, fame and The Broons.

You’re starring in a new National Theatre of Scotland production, The Fifth Step, with Jack Lowden. How did you become involved?

I think it’s mostly thanks to Jack. He was on board before me. We worked together for two days on The Gold and I remember saying to my wife, ‘I’ve worked with a very funny man today and I would love to work with him again someday.’ He sent me the script, asked me to read it and see what I thought.

It’s about two men who meet at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and try to help each other. Who is your character?

James is in his early 60s and has been in AA for what I think is at least 30 years. He hasn’t relapsed in a very long time. AA has been important to him. He has needed the discipline and structure it brings. He becomes a mentor for Jack’s character, and the play is about our journey together.

© Simon Murphy

Did you do research?

We weren’t asked to, but I know quite a lot about alcoholism because close members of my family were alcoholics – one of them died. I’ve read most of the guidebook, I’ve also read some other books, and I’ve talked to people. I think most folk have had alcoholism touch them in some way. I’m lucky I’ve not had an alcohol problem myself. This is an extraordinary play by David Ireland, I’ve not read anything like it in a long time.

You have a huge body of screen work but do you still like to keep your hand in on stage?

I did a play at the National Theatre last year called Dear England, which was the first I’d done in 10 years. That was too long. I would liked to have done more. Doing Dear England reminded me it’s my first love – I did nothing but theatre for the first decade of my career and it’s where my heart lies. I want to try to do one every couple of years, but it’s not easy; I’m lucky to have a lot of TV and film work.

The play is at the Edinburgh International Festival and then in Glasgow, as well as a sold-out preview in Dundee. Have you spent much time in Scotland?

I lived in the north of Scotland for five or six years and they were quite seminal. My father worked with Rolls Royce aero engines, so he was seconded to RAF Lossiemouth. I was there from eight to 13. I still go up north and to the islands once or twice a year. I feel much more at home when I’m north of the border. We live in a very nice little village in Kent, which is friendly and lovely, but I’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle (in the south of England). You go to the north of England or Scotland, Wales or Ireland and people look at each other. I was born in Carlisle and I remember so well that we used to get The Sunday Post when I was a kid. The first thing I did every Sunday morning when I came down for breakfast was read The Broons. So it’s a dream come true to perform this in Edinburgh and to rehearse in Glasgow. I’m having such a nice time walking around the streets of Glasgow, there’s such vibrancy and the people are fantastic. I imagine the Edinburgh Festival will be the same.

Are you recognised a lot?

I’m grateful to be a character actor. I don’t particularly enjoy being recognised. It wouldn’t sit comfortably with me being famous. If people in their 60s come up to me, I know it’s usually fans of Hornblower rather than Shameless. You can gauge the demographic.

What were your favourite jobs?

Probably my three favourites have been plays, but as far as TV, I enjoyed doing Shameless. A highlight last year was two jobs I did back-to-back – the first was with Gary Oldman on Slow Horses, and then with Julianne Moore on Mary And George. If you compare acting to being a sportsperson, the better the player you’re playing, the more you raise your game. Working with Julianne and Gary was a thrill.

The Fifth Step, Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh International Festival, Aug 21-25; Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, Aug 28-31