GREG WISE PLAYS PHILIP HAWKIN
Greg Wise was attracted to the role of village squire Philip Hawkin because of his enigmatic character.
Greg said: “I’m generally attracted to roles which can’t easily be explained, those which may not necessarily be the good or bad guy. They tend to have more depth. I’m not like Hawkin at all, which made the role appealing.”
Hawkin lives at the Manor House in Scardale with his wife Ruth (Emma Cunniffe) and stepdaughter Alison (Poppy Goodburn).
“Scardale is still frugal and closed from the outer community and Hawkin is considered with some suspicion by the locals. The wealth, house and land were inherited and he really owns the village and the surrounding land.”
Hawkin’s secluded world is turned upside down when Alison vanishes after going out to walk her dog on the moors.
Greg explained: “He still believes that Alison is out walking the dog when the police arrive and start their investigation. He’s tremendously concerned for the girl, but he doesn’t get the opportunity to express his feelings and that’s why suspicion is put on him."
DI George Bennett (Lee Ingleby) notices tension between Hawkin and Ruth.
Greg added: “He’s fairly cold towards his wife. It’s her second marriage and Alison is her daughter from her first marriage. Time has worn Ruth down and Hawkin isn’t a very passionate man towards her.”
Greg was delighted to return to Northumberland to film the drama.
“We filmed in an area called Hexham and I’m actually originally from the north east so it’s been lovely being back. I was born in Newcastle so I’m a Geordie and my dad still lives there.
"I left when I was quite young but the accent is still there and I actually used it in a film I did last year called The Departed. It’s wonderful to be able to come back to the area of my birth.
“I spend a lot of time in London but I’m quite a country boy at heart. I love working and being in the city, but I don’t want to work all the time and I love being at home - it’s all about being able to find that balance. I think if you’re lucky enough to do that it makes it all worth it.”
