#Interview Updates

[jamiebamberdaily]

TV Times Interview - Issue 12 [18-24 March 2023]

Tap/click ‘Keep Reading’ to view the transcript.

Jamie Bamber is no stranger to crime dramas, having played detectives in gritty ITV1 series Law & Order: UK, Marcella and DI Ray. But for his current role in BBC1’s sun-dappled whodunnit show Beyond Paradise, the actor is enjoying a rather different beat as dashing vineyard owner Archie Hughes, who is far more interested in sampling fine wines that solving complex cases! As the Death In Paradise spin-off continues this week, Archie and his business partner - and ex-fiancée! - Martha Lloyd (played by Sally Bretton) welcome a food critic into their cafe, hoping it could boost the fledging enterprise’s fortunes. All the while, it’s clear that Archie is harbouring feelings for his former flame, who is now happily engaged to DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall). Here, in an exclusive interview, Jamie, 49, tells TV Times why he’s relishing causing a stir in the (fictional) Devon town of Shipton Abbott...

The fourth episode feels like a turning point for Archie and Martha’s business, but he seems very distracted by his feelings for her, doesn’t he?

Yes, Archie is someone who’s living with regret. Martha is the one that got away, and it has taken him a fair few years to realise that that was the opportunity of his life. He’s a very successful guy with a lot of options; he’s been privileged from birth and he’s made the most of that. But I think the one thing he feels he maybe didn’t appreciate when he had it was Martha. And lo and behold, there she is!

When Archie originally offered to invest in Martha’s new cafe, was he genuinely trying to help or was there an ulterior motive?

A lot of times in life, we’re not entirely clear what our motivations are for different things that we do - they don't necessarily have to be one thing or the other. I think Archie enjoys the fact that she’s come back to Shipton Abbot, and he likes her and is attracted to her, he he likes Humphrey, too. When he met Humphrey, he was pleasantly surprised! Archie wants to be part of Martha’s new life, but whether he's planning to somehow come between the two of them, I don’t think it’s as cut and dry as that.

Are you worried about how viewers might react if Archie does cause probelms for much-loved couple Martha and Humphrey?

Obviously, the character is treading a fine line, but I am very secure in the knowledge that Beyond Paradise is an extremely well-put-together, accomplished piece of television writing. It’s still a ‘will they, won’t they?’ story in some regards, and Archie is a part of that dynamic. It depends on who you side with as to who you root for!

We hear there’s a big storyline for Archie in next week’s penultimate episode. Can you share any teasers with us?

It’s really fun! Like most of these multi-arc TV formats, each episode stands alone but there are various intrigues that last the series, so the nearer you get to the end, the more there is at stake. Episode five is great, because Archie is involved in the case of the week - and he is a suspect...’

Intriguing! Did you enjoy working with the other cast members on the series?

Yes, it was an absolute pleasure. And Sally and I got on very well from the first moment we met, which is important. Barbara Flynn [who plays Martha’s mum, Anne Lloyd] is a legend - she’s cheeky and has a glint in her eye that’s great fun to bounce off! It’s the same with Sally and Kris, too. They’re all accomplished comedic actors, and that was a real boon for me.

The show was filmed on location in Devon and Cornwall. Were you able to fit in any sightseeing?

Yes, I fell in love with Looe, in Cornwall, in particular,which is the main stand-in for Shipton Abbot; I thought it was beguiling in every way. My wife [Bad Girls star Kerry Norton] happened to e shooting a thing on the north coast of Cornwall, so she came down to Looe and we were able to do some walks along the coast and go out for meals. I played quite a bit of golf, too, because I was put up in the lovely [village of] St Merryn, which has some great courses!

Talking of filming in beautiful places... Would you like to see Archie pop up in Caribbean-set sister series Death In Paradise for a crossover one day?

That would be fantastic! I’m not overly familiar with Death In Paradise, having lived abroad for the bulk of it’s run, but I’ve seen enough to know that it’s a global success, and it’s super-fun to be part of its little baby sister show here. I couldn’t be prouder to be involved, and if that involvement continued in any way, I would be delighted for a crossover. And on a ‘Jamie and family’ level, a trip to Guadeloupe [Where Death in Paradise is filmed] would be great!

Last year, you played DCI Martyn Hunter in police procedural DI Ray, and before that Sam Wright in ITV1’s 2021 drama Innocent - both characters who seemed lovely but were later found to be harbouring dark secrets. Do you like taking on roles that shock viewers?

I really enjoyed both of those shows, and, yes, I spotted the same pattern - and it goes back even further to Marcella [Jamie played DI Tim Williamson in the first two seasons of the drama, from 2016 to 2018]. There’s clearly a thing going on with me and telly! I don’t know how much of that is move systemic in terms of casting and tropes, but any time you get to play ambiguity and wrong-foot an audience is always fun! But I’m not going to give anything away about where Archie ends up...

What are your next projects?

I’ve got two things that haven’t come out yet. One is Netflix thriller Who Is Erin Carter?, which I’m really excited about, and the other is Cannes Confidential, a kind of screwball cop show in the mould of [1970s action comedy] The Persuaders! That’s coming out on Acorn TV, and on French TV. It’s English-language, but we’re currently dubbing it into French, so that’s what I’m doing most weekends - getting on a train to Paris and putting my performance from English into French. I’m a pretty fluent French speaker, but it’s still a real challenge!

[sinners-go-to-drink-the-wine]

Jake joked that every time something goes wrong Josh says he could've done film "and you know why I'm not?? It's your fault!" 😂

[sophsun1]

Interview With The Vampire + Lestat's love for New Orleans serving as a metaphor for Louis

[aquarines]

iwtv writers room is active for season 3 AAAAAH

[handsomelyerin]

going absolutely insane at jacob having a whole face journey while sam talks about his babysitter showing him stephen king's it at age 6 and how he would deadass run around his neighborhood hoping to be taken by pennywise, calling it a "positive experience".

[ditch-lily]

Devil's minion fic rec list!

these are just a few recs I was putting together for some friends. this list isn't exhaustive, it's just what I've clicked on and enjoyed so far. the tag is updating at lightning speed right now (bless you all) so there is absolutely a bunch of amazing fics I haven't read yet!

btw these are majority show canon. I haven't read the books. also I made categories that made sense to me, if they don't make sense to you don't worry about it just ignore them lol

Post season 2

Dubai penthouse immediately after (turning daniel)

hold me like water (christ, hold me like a knife) by sahwen (6.7k) the vulnerability of armand in this one is so intriguing. I really loved it

in the detail(s) by infinitevariety (6.7k) a favorite line so far ‘armand curled up like a dying spider’. that's exactly him right after louis leaves

The Beginning Is the End Is the Beginning by trinityofone (1.9k) daniel gets turned, but with an added power

Post turning daniel

two truths and a liar by andrealyn (9.9k) daniel goes on a book press tour and armand turns up

what's it called when a young guy pays old men for their company by chaosandteo (1.3k) daniel's daughters find out he's a homewrecker 

Couch Surfers' Honor by tihsho (1.3k) two things in my head: 1. armand curled around daniel like a creature 2. the way daniel stops drinking to bitch at armand I'm shrieking 

During s2 (alternate canons)

how memory makes monsters into myth by blueskiddoo (5.9k)  alice is armand theory, wip but I'm BIG EYES over it. I love the set up so far

the spiral is unspooling by reedroad (60k) wip but pretty hefty already (60k!). the devils minion chapter incorporated into the past of the show, with daniel uncovering his memories of armand. very good read with lush world building. my fav thing in this is how daniel is written, and his daughters popping up in the fic. 

Past hijinks (post s2 canon)

you're sharp alright by LuckyDiceKirby (4.4k) mid 2000's daniel gets picked up by a weirdo at a bar :) it's a pattern

Post season 1 (before s2 came out)

outcast of all this night by gaypiratedivorce (37k) long and fun, armand follows daniel back to new york and stalks him while he writes this book. "Please don't tell me Louis dumped you and now you're fucking with my work to get back at him."

icarus' life has only just begun by andrealyn (15.9k) daniel gets de-aged (on purpose by armand) he wants to live a life with him from the beginning again 

[punishervinyl]

you’re not a girl, you’re a devil

[literatureaesthetic]

18th april '24 — london

this was such a special trip for me. my first time travelling entirely on my own, discovering and falling in love with a city. i've been to london a few times growing up, but i've never had the chance to really explore and live in it until now. forever an experience i'll cherish <3

[crazykuroneko]

"I Didn't Know It Was A Gift" by Daniel Hart and Synchron Stage (Interview with the Vampire Ep 15)

Credits:

FYI, if you're wondering, this piece is composed of the repeated melody of "The Drum Was My Heart" (Louis' turning), a section of "The Fantasy of Happiness", and ends with "In Throes of Increasing Wonder" (Loustat's love theme)

[luminarai]

things I know will never happen in the show but that I personally think would be very funny

bonus close up of lestat (inspired by yet another måneskin fit)

[jamiebamberdaily]

Total TV Guide Interview - Issue 12 [18-24 March 2023]

Tap/click 'Keep Reading' to view the transcript.

Death In Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise has given us the chance to see DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) relocate from Saint Marie to be with his fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) in her hometown of Shipton Abbott, on the Devonshire coast.

While Humphrey works with the local police, Martha has fulfilled her dream of opening Ten Mile Kitchen. But their happy ever after hit an unexpected bump in the road with the arrival of Archie Hughes, Martha’s new business partner - and ex-fiancée! ‘Archie doesn’t want to intrude,’ says Jamie Bamber. ‘But actually, it’s Martha and Humphrey who have walked into his world. Archie belongs there and has made a successful career. She’s the one that who went away.’

The owner of three vineyards, Archie became Martha’s saviour on the eve of the café’s opening after she ran into financial difficulties. Now he's involved in the business. And this week when a food critic reviews the eaterie, he hints at a bond between the pair. ‘Archie’s slightly egotistic side is flattered that a stranger can see their chemistry and he quite enjoys that affirmation, in a male pride kind of way. He’s got nothing in life that’s out of place - until he sees Marta again and realises that maybe this is the one thing he got wrong. But she is so in love with Humph, so that’s complicated. In any story you need obstacles and Archie is an obstacle to them.’

For Jamie, joining the series was a joy. ‘I haven’t done any shows, before, that the whole family can sit down to on a Friday evening. This is deliberately a broad audience. There’s a great whodunnit, the denouement is different from your average TV closed-room murders as the crimes are a bit more inventive.’

With Archie being a vineyard owner, did Jamie brush up on his wine knowledge? ‘Actually, when I was a student, I worked in a fine wine shop in London. I’ve also lived in France and travelled around and visited a few vineyards. For me, wine is a metaphor for having your feet in the soil. It can be overblown and overcomplicated and made fancy but fundamentally, wine is a crop and that’s a great analogy for Archie. He’s a simple bloke who’s got quite a sophisticated lifestyle because of the means he has.’

While Devon an Cornwall is a beautiful part of the world, are there any regrets there was no trip to Guadeloupe? ‘Funnily enough, I’d been offered to do Death In Paradise before but it didn’t work with my schedules. Maybe Archie can go there on holiday?’

Jamie himself is very well-travelled. Last year, he filed a police show, Cannes Confidential in France. An English language drama, he’s currently dubbing into French, and he’s also made a thriller in Barcelona for Netflix, reuniting him with Strike Back’s writer, Jack Lothian. But his next trip is closer to home to celebrate his 50th birthday in April. ‘I really wanted a parted, but it’s a big year on lots of fronts for my family. So we’re going to Ireland. I’ve got family over here, so I’ll be catching up with cousins in Northern Ireland, a bit of Dublin, the Antrim coast, some golf, maybe some Guinness, some Bushmills and seeing the Irish countryside.’

[sinners-go-to-drink-the-wine]

Jake cut off the tip of Sam's thumb when Jake was 9 and he was 6 cause they were fucking around with tools in the back yard

[and-fishing-equipment]

guys HELP my dad has discovered next level headcanons he was listening to my chemical romance and decided that louis and lestat fucking LOVE mcr and play it all the time, while armand HATES mcr but is too afraid to say. which according to father dearest is the reason he got with daniel, so he can finally get out his bruce springsteen records again. i want you all to know that he told me this in an extremely matter of fact voice. the tumblr genes are so strong.

[stefanyascritor]

In Nola, Claudia and Louis played happy family while planning to kill Lestat

In Paris, Armand pretended to break away from the coven and everything seemed like it was going to be okay, while he directed a play to execute them

In Dubai, Louis and Armand distracted themselves by telling their story while Daniel discovered what Armand really did

Everyone was distracted by their feelings.

[lotstradamus]

any chance for a spare old man daniel/armand fic rec? 🙏🏻🙏🏻🥺

in the details by infinitevariety - 'a turning point. immediately post-s2.'

hell is: by cannibalenthusiast - 'Daniel drinks another martini and a half, says, “You’re lucky I’m on blood thinners. I used to handle my liquor way better,” as he sets the unfinished drink on the table and offers Armand his arm again. Armand sits next to him this time, their bodies turned in toward each other as he cradles Daniel’s arm and drinks. The blood gives him a headrush, and he blinks rapidly to attempt to clear his vision. This time he leaves the wound for longer, lets blood drip down toward Daniel’s wrist before he laps it up. “Fuck,” Daniel murmurs as he watches. “That’s more like it.”'

I like your getup, if you know what I mean by cannibalenthusiast - 'His brain conjures the image of Rashid standing primly with a plush towel draped over his slim wrist. “For your jizz, Mister Molloy,” he says. Daniel snorts and spits onto his hand.'

the fog eating the night by tei - 'If Louis had wanted him alive, he'd have escorted him out himself. But he hadn't. He'd left Daniel standing there stunned, and walked out like none of this had mattered to him at all. Whether he meant to or not, Louis had given Daniel to Armand.'

old habits by tei - '"You're fucked up, you know that?" Daniel says. "Do you really like that shit? Or is it just a habit for you by now?"'

hell and you by quensty - 'With respect to Daniel’s life, pain in the ass is spelled A-R-M-A-N-D.'

strange mutations by leavethebes - 'Armand’s done it to him once before—gored him through the stomach, gutted him like a fish, snipped his gills off, and drained him right down to the fluttering valves of his heart. Left Daniel little more than a shriveled husk of a person, and somehow Daniel is back here anyway, on his knees in front of Armand and begging for the oblivion that was promised.'

you know that one tweet that's like 'iwtv is like porn for people who are into such weird shit that sex isn't even involved anymore?' yea

[amiracleilluminated]