SPOTLIGHT: Mr Iain De Caestecker
Photography - Joseph Sinclair
Words - Tajinder Hayer
Grooming - Kristopher Smith at NYLON Artists using Imbue and Boy De Chanel
Scottish actor Iain De Caestecker plays the lead in the BBC’s newest Sunday night drama The Control Room in which he plays an emergency response handler whose life is turned upside down by a life and death 999 call. Prior to the role, he has already received global fame for his regular role as Agent Leo Fitz in the long-running Marvel franchise Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Other unique and interesting roles include as one of the leads in Ryan Gosling’s feature directorial debut Lost River opposite Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan and Ben Mendelsohn which premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and the male lead in two high-profile BBC series: BAFTA-winning The Fades as well as Young James Herriot for which he was nominated for a BAFTA Scotland Award for ‘Best Actor/Actress-Television’, and he then earned his second BAFTA Scotland nomination for Best Actor in the Film Category for British romantic comedy Not Another Happy Ending.
Tell us about the character of Gabe in The Control Room
Gabe is generally quite an introverted guy and keeps to himself. He works as a call handler in an Ambulance Control Room which suits him, as he can feel like he’s doing something worthwhile whilst remaining anonymous. But this also means that when he takes an anonymous call at work and subsequently gets drawn back into traumatic events from his past, he is totally unprepared and unequipped to deal with the situation…
What was it about the role that made you interested to be part of the show?
I was drawn into the idea of someone being stuck in their past. I think most people have memories from their past they would like to forget or can’t quite get over in some way, so I was keen to look into that. And also, from the very start, we talked about the idea of putting an ‘ordinary’ person in extraordinary circumstances and the real-world effects that would have on someone as vulnerable as Gabe.
What was it like to be able to film in Glasgow?
The best! I love Glasgow. The backdrop of the city and surrounding areas is beautiful but mostly the people in the city are what makes it so special. It’s a very down to earth place with a brilliant sense of humour. And, in a way, I think added an extra central character in itself to the show.
Did you have to do any specific preparation prior to filming?
I spent time in real Control Rooms listening into real-life calls which was an interesting experience. A lot of the process of being a call handler is staying calm under pressure and it was cool to see how well the people in that world operate. I came out a nervous wreck. I think this show sheds a light on a very invisible sector and that’s important.
Will you be watching it on TV when it launches? Are you comfortable with watching yourself on screen?
Probably not! I’ve actually already seen it fortunately. I find it quite unusual watching myself and it’s hard to be objective about it so I don’t always but with The Control Room I did and I think Amy, the director, did so many cool things with it that I could enjoy it with a bit of separation.
The cast and crew for Lost River is quite impressive. Were you at all intimidated on that project?
Yeah. I still am.
Having worked on several TV shows, did you find Lost River to be a different experience in any way?
Yes and no probably. On everything you do there are lots of elements that are the same method in a different context. Every project is different to the next. But the experience of Lost River did have a lot of singular qualities to it, probably because Ryan sets such a special tone.
Tell us about your journey to becoming an actor. Was this the only career that you wanted to pursue?
I can’t really remember wanting to do anything else. My brother and I were always playing characters and making up stories when we were little and I guess it grew from there.
What are you working on now and next?
I am just starting on a new project, however I’m not sure I’m allowed to talk about it just yet…
The Control Room, made up of three, hour-long episodes, will be coming to BBC One on Sunday 17th July at 9pm. The next two episodes will air nightly on consecutive nights at 9 pm. Full boxset will be available on iPlayer.
Follow Iain De Caestecker on Instagram.