He's never let anyone get too close to him, but this series sees brooding
Detective Sergeant Frank Maguire, played by Michael Hodgson,
reluctantly learning that working with others can prove far more fulfilling
than life as a loner.
Ìý
"Maguire was very frosty with Nicky when he first arrived. Nicky was
an outsider - an unknown quantity - and so Maguire kept him at a distance.
Ìý
"But as time passes, he's beginning to warm to him, which is an
unusual sensation for Maguire because I don't think he's ever warmed
to anyone before in his life," suggests Michael.
Ìý
"Slowly but surely, as they work alongside each other, he's realising
that Nicky is a good cop and that they are both on the same side. He
learns through his experiences with Nicky that he can't just be this
sad loner copper all the time - sometimes you need to work as a team."
Ìý
While Maguire may be strengthening his bond with Nicky (Don
Gilet), his relationship with his sly former partner Yates
(Darren Morfitt) is at an all-time low.
Ìý
While he doesn't exactly open up to Nicky about his suspicions surrounding
former DI Carter's murder, he holds a silent determination to prove
that Yates was involved and is therefore untrustworthy.
Ìý
"Even though they've both been cleared by the investigation, there's
a lingering bad taste in Maguire's mouth as there are still certain
things that don't add up for him. He's convinced Yates hasn't quite
told the whole story and so now their relationship is, at best, icy."
Ìý
Unlike his colleagues, Maguire seems to be the only one wilful enough
to stand up to his new boss. Annoyed by Bing's (Mark Lewis Jones)
rudeness in the workplace, Maguire squares up to him from the offset
and makes it clear he won't be spoken to so unprofessionally.
Ìý
"When Bing starts throwing insults, Maguire has a go at him and I think
Bing respects him for that. But Maguire's not trying to impress his
boss, he's just a moody sod who won't be pushed around," explains Michael.
Ìý
"He takes pride in his work and believes that they should all be treated
with at least a modicum of respect by their senior officer.
Ìý
"Maguire is a very complex character and a refreshing change for me,
because I normally play total hoodlums - so it's nice to be on the right
side of the law for once.
Ìý
"Also, it's been great for me making a second series because it's
filmed on my doorstep. I'm the only cast member who actually lives in
Newcastle, so I can just go home to my own bed at night which is fantastic.
Ìý
"Newcastle is an amazing city and it looks so good on screen.
With the combination of the Georgian architecture, the water and the
bridges, the whole place is very cinematic," he adds, proudly.
Ìý
Printable version