He's well known for playing DS Steve Arnott in the much-loved Line of Duty but now Martin Compston has taken on a new role in Our House, a four-part series adapted from the international best-selling novel written by Louise Candlish.
Martin plays Bram Lawson, a consummate flirt who simply can’t help himself, he is attractive and charismatic but is also plagued by a compulsive and self-destructive streak. Eventually, his lies catch up with him and everything in his world begins to unravel.
Bram desperately wants to be a good father to his two boys, even after the breakdown of his marriage to wife Fi (played by Downton Abbey's Tuppence Middleton). However, his mistakes, and his attempts to avoid punishment for them, lead to the ultimate betrayal of his family.
Here, Martin chats all about his latest show...
What drew you to Our House?
I was in the middle of filming another show when I got the script. I remember reading it and immediately saying to myself, “this is great. I’m really excited about it. I’d love to be involved.” It’s a relationship drama, but I didn’t expect it to be so exciting. When I got to the end of one episode, I couldn’t wait to read the next. I have read a lot of series which fall apart after two episodes, but this is different. The producers have pulled off something special here!
How would you characterise Bram?
I have played some characters who are irredeemable, but I always try to find sympathy in every character. Bram is essentially a good guy, but he has a self-destruct button. When things are going well, that’s when he tends to do something stupid. He comes so close to getting things perfect, and then at the last moment, he makes a meal of things. You want to give him a shake!
Did you enjoy the role?
Absolutely. Bram is a joy to play. We’re in acting for these roles. He has so many contradictions. When people see it, they’ll realise what I’m talking about...
It’s an emotional part. Was it hard not to take it home with you?
It is relentless. There are some huge, heavy emotional scenes. You have to be careful that life doesn’t imitate art. But I did still take it home with me a bit. When you’re crying all day, it can seep into you. You need people to pull you out of it. That’s why it’s important to have a strong family around you.
What was it like collaborating with Tuppence?
It was wonderful. I’d never have made it through without her – she has class, elegance and talent. She is an incredible actor. Her dedication is phenomenal. Tuppence was number one on the call sheet. That may be just a number, but the way she carries herself sets the tone on set. She led the charge brilliantly.
We have a lot of intense scenes together, but they are not as tough when you’re working with someone you completely trust. We had a good laugh, but we also knew we could try something and the other person would go with it. We became so close that we knew when to step back and let the other person get in the zone. You learn when the other person needs a moment.
What message might viewers take away from Our House?
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. That’s a huge issue for Bram. People get into a comfort zone and think it’s mundane, but it’s actually a great life. It takes something cathartic for them to realise that, and then it’s too late to get it back. The drama also poses the vital question: how far would you go to protect your loved ones?
What do you think the audience’s response to Our House will be?
I hope it will be fantastic. It will certainly surprise people. It’s a drama about relationships, but it has big twists and turns. You get to the end of one episode, and you’re desperate for the next. There are such big talking points every night. You want there to be a real buzz about it, and you want to leave people hanging. The suspense and anticipation build and build and builds with every episode – that’s half the fun of it. It gives people something to talk about, and it’s great listening to their theories about it. It’s built for that water cooler mentality. It’s very exciting telly. It’s a real page-turner. It’s an absolutely brilliant way to spend a few hours!