Scottish actor Emun Elliott has a busy year in 2012, with roles in Ridley Scott’s much-anticipated Alien prequel Prometheus, Channel 4’s adaptation of Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth, BBC Three’s lesbian drama Lip Service, a second series of Doctor Who writer Tom MacRae’s sitcom Threesome for Comedy Central, and a brand new BBC One drama.

CultBox caught up with Emun to find out more…

The second episode of Lip Service’s new series saw Jay get a job offer; is that the last we’ll see of Jay?

“That’s the last you’ll see of old Jay Adams, yes! He disappears! I had so much fun on that show but I just wanted to move on and do other things. There’s loads of new characters joining the show though and some of the other regulars are leaving too.

“Cat’s exit is pretty full-on and dark, so it made sense for Jay to leave. I was hoping I’d leave the show in a more epic and exciting way! I was hoping to fall out a window mid-orgy, but instead he just says ‘I’m off to London’, hey-ho!”

Would you like to return to Lip Service in the future?

“I’d love to come back someday; pop my head in, see my old pals! We’ll see, it’s so hard to think that far ahead. I’d totally be up for nipping back to Glasgow.

“I made some really good friends, to be honest. When everyone’s working away from home, you can kind of become a big happy family for the duration of the shoot.”

How’s work on the second series of Threesome going?

“We’ve just had the final drafts, although they’re very much subject to change. Lots of exciting stuff! We’re in a much stronger position than we were at the start of the first series. I’m just looking forward to getting started again.

“This time it’s Richie, Mitch and Alice with baby Lily – so really this time it’s ‘Foursome’! It’s more of the same really, seven episodes this time, it should be lots of fun!”

Do you feel more confident after the strong reaction to Series 1?

“Yeah, well it’s a mixture of both, you’ve played the character before but there’s a danger you can become a bit lax, so I feel confident but also very wary that there’s still a lot of work to be done. I think a big part of what made the first series a success is what we decided to change and improvise on set on the day, so we need to be alert and on our toes.

“Tom [MacRae] is usually kicking about and acts as writer/producer. He’s usually on set a couple of days a week. It’s always good to have him around as he works so quickly so if you need a line change he’ll do it in seconds!”

Does Tom have a long-term plan for the show beyond Series 2?

“I think he does, yeah. The thing with the first series is that we see them in their late 20s without a child, so we’ll never have quite the same dynamic as the first series. We’ll see how Series 2 goes; sometimes it’s best to nip it in the bud and leave the audience wanting more.”

Were you pleased with the reaction to Series 1?

“I guess the fact we’re doing a second series is a good sign. It can only be a confidence booster, yeah! This’ll be the first time I’ve gone into a second series of anything.”

Were you disappointed that BBC One’s sci-fi drama Paradox didn’t return for a second series?

“Yeah, it’s funny you mention that, I had loads of fun on that show! I was disappointed because I think it took a bit of time for the audience to get on board, a lot of people were quite sceptical about that one.

“It was quite heavy and complicated and high concept. I think a second series would’ve given us a chance to explain what was going on because there were a lot of unanswered questions.”

Did you ever discover what those answers would have been?

“No, I’m still guessing and waiting to find out! I’m not even sure the writer knew to be honest, so that might have been a mixed blessing.”

Have you been watching Season 2 of Game of Thrones?

“I haven’t, I don’t have a telly, so I just eventually catch up online. The show’s made such an impact.”

Are there any plans for you to return as Marillion?

“I’d love to, I’d be silly not to. Although my character lost his tongue in my last episode so I wouldn’t have any lines, it’d be an opportunity for an incredible performance or a ridiculous one!”

What have you got coming up next?

“I’ve actually just landed a job which I really wanted; it’s a BBC One drama called The Ladies’ Paradise. It’s based on the novel by Emile Zola which takes place in late 19th century Paris, only this time it’s set in industrial England. It’s about a ladies’ department store, the first of its kind, and it’s about the inner workings of that and the corruption that goes on.

“Also there’s this romantic love story and it’s a beautiful piece of writing. I play the owner of the store. It’s an eight-part series and I think the BBC are throwing quite a lot into it, hopefully it’ll go on for a wee while.

“The other thing I’ve got coming out is Filth, a film I did in Scotland earlier in the year, based on the Irvine Welsh novel. James McAvoy’s leading the cast, Jim Broadbent, Eddie Marsan, Jamie Bell… it’s a great cast. I’d wanted to work with James McAvoy since I was at drama school and I play this very nice gentle metrosexual ‘90s Edinburgh detective.”

> Read the second part of our exclusive interview with Emun.

Are you looking forward to the return of Threesome? Let us know below…

> Buy Series 1 of Lip Service on DVD on Amazon.

> Order Series 2 of Lip Service on DVD on Amazon.

> Buy Paradox on DVD on Amazon.

Watch the trailer for Series 2 of Lip Service…