Tell us about your character
Will is a man who loves his wife and adores his family. That is Will’s dream, his ideal. He lives in denial of the fact that anything could go wrong with that very positive unit. He is a man who cares about his job as a headteacher. He believes in vocation and believes his job is of worth. Will’s best friend, Adrian sleeps with his wife, Laura and that is where the story begins. It’s the consequences of that reckless act that affect his character.
What attracted you to this role?
I liked the message the story is portraying, of how life affirming a close-knit family can be and how it can change your life. It’s about very simple relationships with lots of layers – it’s everything I like about drama. The fact that David Richards directed Little Devil was also a bonus as I have worked with him on Grafters and Reckless. We seem to share the same philosophy on what makes drama work which is great. David Richards also understands good comedy which is based on truth. He understands comical timing and why things are funny as it can sometimes come from incredible darkness. There is a huge impact on Will’s young son Oliver when his parents start to split and he pursues dysfunctional behaviour – what a fantastic drive to a story.
Are you anything like your character?
Apart from looking a lot like him, we both have an understanding or misunderstanding of a father’s behaviour on his child. Both Will and I understand and know that children listen and watch everything you do. If you are a happy and loving father, your child will be too. Parents’ behaviour, good or bad, has a profound effect on your child.
What have you enjoyed most while working with Joseph Friend who plays Oliver?
The thing I enjoyed working with both the children was their ability to focus and know where they are during filming. It’s very rare you meet a child who listens and takes on board every word you say. The children are the main drive to the script. The covert operation that goes on between Joseph and Chloe’s characters is simply fantastic – great casting.
Will ‘sexes himself up’ – have you ever changed your image to impress?
I became an actor. I’ve never changed my image to impress anybody and I never will. My wife, Vanya didn’t fall in love with the actor, she fell in love with me… You fall in love with someone not despite their faults but because of them. I’ve always believed in that – that’s the point. Unlike Will, I can’t ride a motorbike and I’ve never been into materialistic, fast car nonsense.
Will is pulled over by the police for drink-driving – have you ever had a brush with the law?
No, never.
What were you like at school?
I was a good boy. However I would do things differently these days. I regret not reading enough and taking on board the importance of reading and literature. I live with failure and not regret. I’m currently reading Does Anything Eat Wasps? which is great fun. My son’s, reading is incredible – I love reading to him.
What is the naughtiest thing you’ve ever done?
When my younger brother was born, everybody was cooing over him and I got extremely jealous. I was only three and I got into my little tractor and I ran him over. I wanted the limelight.
Did you know…
• Robson is a qualified pyrotechnic and after going on a course to learn about rockets and fireworks now has a Category 4 Fireworks certificate
• Robson’s childhood dream was to join the RAF and become a pilot
• Robson gets his name from a tradition involving the eldest son being given a surname for his first name. ‘Robson’ was his grandmother's maiden name and his middle name ‘Golightly’ his great uncle's surname
