Michael Elwyn
Plays
Henry Mills
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER.
He’s the Reverend Henry Mills, an Anglican parish priest – wh has also spent twenty years as an army chaplain – looking for a fresh start in a challenging environment, following the tragic death of his wife, Joyce. At his bishop’s suggestion he takes on the Larkhall chaplaincy – and soon finds himself in deep water. Not only does he have to cope with Crystal’s powerful anti-Christian stance, but he also finds himself immediately attracted to Barbara… ‘Here could be trouble ahead’!
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN BAD GIRLS?
After years of working on stage and television with casts that are invariably split into 75% actors and 25% actresses, it is an unalloyed pleasure to be in a series where this proportion is reversed!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
His sensitivity, his sense of humour, his sincerity, his conscience – and the fact that his disco shoes are still somewhere at the back of his wardrobe.
WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
Surprisingly, for someone who spent twenty years as an army chaplain, Henry is pretty hopeless in violent and / or dangerous situations, ie failing to control Crystal’s chapel outbursts, and standing by, helpless, as the drama unfolds in the final episode of the series.
DO YOU LIKE THE COSTUMES THAT YOUR CHARACTER WEARS? WOULD YOU WEAR THEM?
I like them for the character, but would I wear them? Err, no! Not unless I get invited to a Tarts And Vicars party. (As the latter, I hasten to add.)
HOW HAVE YOUR FRIENDS / FAMILY REACTED TO YOU BEING CAST IN BAD GIRLS?
Everyone’s been delighted – especially those who probably always were secret fans but who now have the perfect excuse to ‘come out’!
ARE YOU LIKE YOUR CHARACTER / ARE THERE ANY TRAITS THAT YOU SHARE?
Several of the cast have said that the chaplain seems to fit me like a glove. My father was an Anglican priest, and I am using him as my main character base. He was an inspired preacher, as are many Welsh priests, and a great comforter to those in trouble. I hope I’ve inherited a small proportion of his talents – and now share them with Henry.
WHAT SCENE HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED OR HATED FILMING SO FAR?
I’ve most enjoyed the quiet, complex scenes where Henry and Barbara develop their relationship.
‘Hate’ is probably too strong a word, but it’s not easy to improvise 1) panic-stricken cries for help, 2) prayers for Neil, the governor, and 3) deep anxiety for Barbara’s safety – all at the same time, and surrounded by total silence (when in reality there would be a cacophony of noise) to get perfect sync sound.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW EXTERIOR?
One of the best builds I’ve ever acted on: realistic, solid, imaginative Great puddles when it rains…
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREETIME?
Long walks with Bonzo, our dog. Frequent cinema and theatre visits. Reading – mostly recent fiction. And I’m struggling to master my iMac. I was a computer virgin until six months ago. I still play tennis, frequently, and cricket, infrequently, but the joints are getting stiffer, as the Bishop said the actress. And I also watch Wales play rugby (or not play!) in the new Millennium Stadium.
HOW WOULD YOU GET ON WITH YOUR CHARACTER IF YOU MET THEM IN REAL LIFE?
I’m sure I’d like Henry but I would probably want to have a good debate with him. And I think I’d take him shopping. Lovely pullovers but I’m sure Barbara would like to see another jacket.
WHAT’S THE WORST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
I once chopped up my sister’s tricycle with an axe. And I painted stripes on her bare bottom with black gloss paint. She was four, and I was seven. But I’m very non-violent now – promise!
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
Getting born in Wales… becoming an actor… falling in love… no, it’s got to be joining Bad Girls! Oh, and I did once help an old lady across the road…
Michael Elwyn has an impressive list of TV credits to his name including Micawber, Silent Witness, North Square, The Knock, Big Bad World, Border Café, Heartbeat, Soldier Soldier and This Life. He has also appeared in many films, among them Topsy-Turvy, Jinnah, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, A Touch Of Class and The Private Lives of Sherlock Holmes. Michael was born in Aberystwyth but now lives in North London with his partner, the actress Alison Steadman.