The Folly Irregulars discussion

Who would you pick for each character?

Sir Derek Jacobi as Harold Postmartin. :D He'd steal every scene he was in.

It's tough because you have your own mental image of each character.

I kind of see Daniel Anthony as Peter - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_...

Oddly enough, I've found the drawn versions of the characters in the graphic novels pretty much matched my own mental images.

Paul McGann as Nightingale?

A Doctor as a Wizard?

Ronnie wrote: "Paul McGann as Nightingale?"

Ooooh. Yes! He'd be excellent!

In my mind, Peter Grant always looks like Samuel Anderson, AKA Doctor Who's Danny Pink.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Pink

Mark wrote: "In my mind, Peter Grant always looks like Samuel Anderson, AKA Doctor Who's Danny Pink.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Pink"

Interesting. I looked at his imdb photos. Haven't seen him in anything, but I always imagine Peter as fairly reserved. Anderson almost looked too animated in his photos :)

The thing to remember, is that at the time "Rivers" opens, both Peter and Lesley are probationary PCs, so age wise they'd probably be in their mid-20s.

One of the things that really annoys me about some TV shows, is "Dawson casting" - IE actors and actresses in their mid/late 20s (and who look it) playing teenagers.

Casting Lesley is problematic.

Finding an actress willing to have her face covered for 90% of her screentime? Tricky...

Discussed this last night with my flatmate. Kobna's, unfortunately, probably too old to play Peter. So Kobna for Oberon.

Dame Helen Mirren for Lea. :D

Ronnie wrote: "Casting Lesley is problematic.

Finding an actress willing to have her face covered for 90% of her screentime? Tricky..."

No more so that one who has to wear prosthetics. Most actresses would take it as a challenge.

There's a wonderful actress by the name of Carmen Munroe - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0613184/

Given that she was 85 last birthday, I kind of think she's retired now.

However, she's who I picture as Peter's mother.

Hi there, I am new to the group... :)

I‘ve been picturing John Boyega as Peter. He would work agewise, too.

Paul McGann looks good for Nightingale, although I‘ve been picturing Benedict Cumberbatch. I might be unduly influenced there by my love of Sherlock BBC.

I was going to suggest Philip Glenister as DCI Seawoll, but the character's perhaps just a bit too similar to Gene Hunt.

Cathy (cathepsut) wrote: "Hi there, I am new to the group... :)

I‘ve been picturing John Boyega as Peter. He would work agewise, too.

Paul McGann looks good for Nightingale, although I‘ve been picturing Benedict Cumberbat..."

Hmmmm. I hadn't considered Benedict Cumberbatch. I quite like Tom Hiddleston as Nightingale though.

Brian Cox as Dr. Walid?

Have to dye his hair. Walid is a ginger.

I see Dr Walid as younger than Brian Cox.
And Paul McGann would make a nice Nightingale, and I could see John Boyega as Peter.

Margaret wrote: "Have to dye his hair. Walid is a ginger."

He's been known to wear a wig in some parts.

Problem with ginger wigs is that often the skin tone of the actor doesn't match the wig. Best to go for an actor with appropriate hair colour.

Ooooh. What about Mark Gatiss?

I'd prefer an actor who's actually - y'know - Scottish. Rather than someone putting on an unconvincing accent.

Billy Connolly perhaps?

I always picture Owen Teale (Alliser Thorne from GOT) as Seawoll, or maybe Greg Davies.

Incidentally, my copy of Lies Sleeping has been shipped and should be with me on Sunday - it's finally happening!

I've had my copy since Tuesday evening, signed by Ben himself.

Ronnie wrote: "I'd prefer an actor who's actually - y'know - Scottish. Rather than someone putting on an unconvincing accent.

Billy Connolly perhaps?"
Too old.

Tony Curran. He's got the hair for it already. :)

Had a thought earlier (dangerous I know), and Molly would really have to be played by a dancer or a mime artist.

Agreed, Ronnie. Someone who can convey menace with her whole body.

Not so much for that, it's a scene in "Lies Sleeping" (which I've just finished) I'm thinking of.

La la la la la!!! *hands over my ears*

I’ve got it on hold and no idea when I’ll get my hands on Lies Sleeping.

Ronnie wrote: "Paul McGann as Nightingale?"

Just been reading a post on Ben's facebook page. Paul McGann is his original model for Nightingale! You were spot on!

Margaret wrote: "Ronnie wrote: "Casting Lesley is problematic.

Finding an actress willing to have her face covered for 90% of her screentime? Tricky..."

No more so that one who has to wear prosthetics. Most actre..."

On the other hand, there are some actors/actresses who don't know they can't handle prosthetic make up until they're actually sitting in the chair getting it applied.

Another vote for Paul McGann and John Boyega, although he might not think it's a good career move after Star Wars. Lennie James is my Oberon and Thandie Newton is Lady Ty. I would prefer not to have Benedict Cumberbatch.

Sanjeev Kohli as Kumar? Peter's friend/contact in the transport police.

I've only seen him as Navid in Still Game, although I know he's a regular on River City. Sanjeev Bhaskar might be good too. The two Sanjeevs can both play straight and comedy roles.

Alison wrote: "Another vote for Paul McGann and John Boyega, although he might not think it's a good career move after Star Wars. Lennie James is my Oberon and Thandie Newton is Lady Ty. I would prefer not to hav..."

You almost have to have Benedict Cumberbatch play some sort of Fae. I've said from the first time I laid eyes on him that he looks like he just walked out of one of the Hollow Hills.

My problem with him is the show would be perceived as all about him because for me Peter is the 'star' if you know what I mean. I'd rather not have someone with such an enormous fan base. I think it's best if you had a mixture of new talent (Beverly and the younger river goddesses?), up and coming talent, plus a couple of well known names, but not bankable box office stars like Benedict Cumberbatch. I would love to see Sharon Small as Peter's Mum!

Alison wrote: "I've only seen him as Navid in Still Game, although I know he's a regular on River City. Sanjeev Bhaskar might be good too. The two Sanjeevs can both play straight and comedy roles."

An interesting fact about Sanjeev Kohli, is that his eldest brother - Randeep (Raj to his friends) - is presently the highest ranking Asian officer in the Metropolitan Police. Currently holding the rank of Chief Superintendent.

That’s interesting, and certainly makes the actor a good fit for Kumar.

Alison wrote: " Lennie James is my Oberon"

That is casting I didn't know I wanted until just now! He'd make a great Oberon!

Glad you agree!

Harold Chorley's kind of tricky to cast.

You'd need someone bland and inoffensive looking, but at the same time can go all "Bond villain" at the drop of a hat.

Who's more or less the British counterpart to David Hyde-Pierce?

Ronnie wrote: "Harold Chorley's kind of tricky to cast.

You'd need someone bland and inoffensive looking, but at the same time can go all "Bond villain" at the drop of a hat.

Who's more or less the British coun..."

Martin Chorley, not Harold. It's Harold Postmartin.

I stand corrected. My memory's obviously playing tricks on me.

Been watching Good Omens, which gave me two suggestions to chuck around for debate.

Michael Sheen as Nightingale
David Tennant as Dr Walid.

I could see David Tennant as Dr Walid.

Hi Cathy!

Paul McGann looks good for Nightingale, although I‘ve been picturing Benedict Cumberbat..."

Oh YES! Benedict Cumberbatch would make an excellent Nightingale - he's kind of ageless in the same way as Nightingale.