Spotlight interview with It's A Sin actor Callum Scott-Howells for The Rakish Gent

It’s A Sin is one of the most highly anticipated TV shows of recent times. Not only is it the first British TV show to focus on the HIV and AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, it also introduces us to a whole new set of faces, with much of the main cast making their first appearance on screen. Callum Scott-Howells is one such young man.

Callum plays Colin Morris-Jones, a reserved and quiet Welsh lad that comes to London to work on Savile Row. The role is Callum’s first out of drama school, and he delivers one of the most powerful performances on screen.

Tell us about Colin, the character that you play in Its A Sin?

Colin is a young, 18 year old boy from Wales who moves to London to work on Savile Row. He quickly meets a group of 5 friends and he immediately falls in love with them and moves into a house with them called the Pink Palace. That is really where the story begins, and its the start of a decade where everything changes for this specific group of people. Colin is very naive, and rather like a little sponge that absorbs everything around him. He really does go on a journey. There are bumps along the way but more than anything the show is full of love and joy.

You have some wonderful scenes with Neil Patrick Harris. What was he like to work with?

Neil is just amazing. He’s not only a brilliant actor, he is also a wonderful person. He was so generous and kind that I couldn’t have been happier. I grew up watching the Tony Awards and remember staying up to 6am to watch it. To find myself on set with him, was something that I couldn’t have dreamed of

How did you work with the other lead actors to create the energy of young people that become great friends?

I think we all made sure that we really spent as much time off screen as we did on screen. We didn’t have to force it at all, and we really are the best of friends. I really feel as if I have made friends for life.

What was the audition and filming process like for Its A Sin?

The whole process was real fun. We would start the day in a trailer, listening to Eighties music and we threw ourselves into the decade in every sense. The costumes were a huge aspect in that, and it really felt like we were living during the time. The locations and the set also made it really easy to get into character

Without giving too much away, did you have to do anything to prep for the role?

Definitely. There were a lot of aspects of Colin’s journey that required sensitivity and that had to be right. We were really mindful that people are still living with these issues today. I made sure that I watched and read as much as possible. There was a BBC documentary called Horizon which was really impactful.

Do you think that people will be surprised when they learn about some of the things that happened in 1984?

Yeah for sure. I didn’t know half of the things that I learnt. I certainly wasn’t taught anything about it at school. It was really eye-opening to me to delve into it properly. I’m sure that it will be for lots of people, especially those of my generation. The show is a real eye opener as to what this community has been to. I really hope that we can acknowledge that and remember it properly.

How familiar were you with the work of Russell T Davies?

I was so familiar! When I was growing up, I was a massive fan of Dr. Who and Christopher Eccleston was my favourite doctor. I really loved David Tennant too. I told Russell how much of a fan I was, when we met. I also really liked Cucumber and have been a massive fan of his for ages. To be in a position to work with him has been incredible.

What are you working on next?

Before the pandemic I was meant to be touring with a play called Romeo and Julie; a contemporary take on the classic story. That was postponed, so hopefully we will be able to pick that up again later this year or perhaps next year. Other than that, who knows!

And finally, what makes a rakish gent?

Classy is the word that comes to mind for me.

Quick fire questions

Ideal travel destination - Chicago

Best store in the world - Harrods

Gadget of choice - AirPods

Go to pair of shoes - Nike Cortez

Brand/ designer of choice - Vivienne Westwood

Favourite fragrance - Penhaligons

Essential grooming product - VO5 Wax Clay

Recommended app - Instagram

Icon - Tom Hanks

It’s A Sin is scheduled to air on Channel 4 on 22 January 2021.

Follow Callum Scott-Howells on Instagram.

SPOTLIGHT: Mr Callum Scott-Howells