Colin Salmon
Plays
Rowan Dunlop
Tell us about your character:
Rowan is the new Prison Medical Officer. Clever, respected and professional in his own right, but with other agendas.
What are their motives for working in the prison system?
Rowan’s motives are in one sense genuine, professional and wanting to make a difference. But this is superseded by his ambitions for fame.
Do you think Rowan genuinely cares for the inmates and is interested in their well being?
Yes, Rowan does care for the inmates. He is be interested in their welfare and the wider issues associated with women in prison and how this affects social and family structures outside.
Does your character have a love interest?
Yes, he does….‘watch this space’.
Do you think they have a future together?
‘Never say never’.
Do you sympathise with your character or have respect for the way that they operate?
It’s interesting how playing a role like this makes you think and affects you. I respect his achievements and the value of people doing his job. You also learn that it is difficult to respect people who begin to abuse their position.
Do you share similar personality traits with your character?
No.
If you met your character in real life, would you get along with them?
He would intrigue me – the tables would be turned.
If there was one thing that you could change about your character, what would it be?
I would like him to be more honourable
What has been your favourite storyline of this series so far?
I’ve enjoyed all of the storylines and how I have been able to help develop them. It’s been good to work with Shed and to return to doing UK TV for the first time in a few years.
Are you involved with any charities?
I have a number of charity commitments which include:
Being an ambassador for The Princes Trust.
The Lord’s Taverners
The African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust
I’m also involved with Europe’s first Museum of Immigration in London.
Perhaps not directly charitable, I’ve also an involvement with the London Borough of Newham’s programme to inspire local people to train and develop opportunities to benefit from the London Olympics.
How did you feel the very first time you walked onto the HMP Larkhall set?
On TV, the effect is that this is filmed in a real prison and it feels very big, but of course, when you get to the studio, it’s much smaller than you think.
How did you feel when you got the call that told you that you were to become a screw?
Pleased to be working with good UK actresses and to be working on a successful UK and international drama series.
Bad Girls the Musical has just been on in Leeds. What do you think about it moving from the small screen to the stage?
Pleased to see that TV shows can grow and develop to have new lives and reach new audiences.
What do you do in your free time?
Free time is a rare commodity in my schedules, but I always try to enjoy my family life.
If you were in prison for real, how would you make the most of time?
By taking advantage of the opportunities to learn and study and trying to encourage others to do the same.
What is your favourite TV, film or book adaptation of prison life?
‘Soul On Ice’.
Prior to Bad Girls, what role are you most well known for?
I have had a diverse career and touched on many subjects and characters and it amazes me that the public have responded so well to so many.
What was your first ever acting role?
“Moose” in ‘All or Nothing at All’ by Caryl Philips
What was your first ever job?
Paperboy.
Where were you born and brought up?
I was born about one mile from Three Mills Studio where Bad Girls is filmed and brought up in Luton.
Where do you live now?
West London.