Hugo Speer (Skins, The Fulll Monty) stars as Warren Bettany in Bedlam, Sky Living’s new paranormal drama, which begins on Monday 7th February.
The six-part series is set around Bedlam Heights, a newly converted apartment building on the edge of a British metropolis. The high quality apartments offer stylish 21st century living, but behind the facade lie unimaginable horrors. This former pre-Victorian asylum is haunted by the ghosts of its dark and violent past.
Watch the trailer…
Warren Bettany is haunted by the past. His father Caleb was the last in a long line of Bettanys to have run the psychiatric hospital bearing the family name. Warren was in his 20s when his dad was in charge and the regime was more degenerate than ever.
What is Bedlam Heights, the building where Bedlam is set?
“Bedlam Heights itself is an old hospital for the criminally insane. It had been in the family of my character, Warren, for generations but because of high profile malpractices it was taken over by the bank. Warren then bought it back and is converting the whole building into luxury apartments.
“He is selling it with his daughter and they’re both living there but because of all the bad things that have happened there in the past it transpires that it’s haunted. It’s definitely a ghost story with horror included in the drama because all of the ghosts come back to cause havoc.”
What first attracted you to Bedlam?
“I didn’t actually see the script first because I came on board quite late, but I knew it was Red Productions and that Matthew (Bird) was producing so I accepted. I did get a rough breakdown of the character and I thought ‘he’s a bit of a one’ – I like playing baddies and any character that seems manic and mysterious.”
Can you describe your character, Warren?
“He’s quite mysterious, very passionate about the family business and Bedlam Heights itself. He believes firmly that it’s in his blood and in his soul. He thinks that he’s part of the building and that the building’s part of him; they’re one and the same. Warren fiercely defends the good of the building and good of the business. We don’t really know too much about him but he does one or two strange little things and is a bit of an enigma.”
Can you describe his relationship with his daughter, Kate?
“I think it’s a good relationship and they have a strong bond. Because his wife, Kate’s mother, left a long time ago, there has always been that father-daughter bond. There’s one scene where Warren says, “I’m not actually very good at all that emotional stuff, you needed your mother for that.” Kate is missing the tactile approach that she would have got from her mother. However, their relationship is sorely tested when she starts getting suspicious about his involvement in the disappearance of her friend, Zoe.”
How was the dynamic between you and Charlotte Salt, who plays Kate?
“I was a little shocked when I first met Charlotte because suddenly I had a 25 year old daughter yet in real life I haven’t even had kids yet! It’s quite weird playing someone with a grown up daughter which is probably scarier than the ghosts! I haven’t really grown up myself yet so I had a lovely time with Charlotte playing my daughter.”
What does Warren think of his nephew, Jed?
“Basically Warren thinks Jed’s trouble. He knows he is going to be unearthing the secrets that Bedlam Heights holds and that’s the last thing Warren needs. Maybe he thinks he would have got away with it if it hadn’t been for that meddling kid!”
Are you a fan of spooky programmes?
“I don’t really get scared or watch much TV but I do think there’s something special about a very well made horror movie. The Shining is an all time favourite and I love Jack Nicholson.”
Do you believe in ghosts?
“I’m certainly open to believing in ghosts although I’ve never seen one. I do know people who swear that they have and I’ve got no reason to disbelieve. I’m open-minded and wouldn’t mind meeting a ghost, so long as he looks like Casper! If it was like Casper I’d probably be alright but if it was a horrible one I’d be quite scared.”
Did anything spooky happen on set?
“No which is a shame as I was after seeing some ghosts!”
Do you have any future projects coming up?
“I have directed a short film called Mam, written by Vivienne Harvey, and it’s my directorial debut. It stars Paul Barber and Josie Lawrence. It screened at the Encounters Short Film Festival in 2010 and will be at the London Short Film Festival in January 2011. It’s also at various festivals around the world and ultimately I would like to go on and direct a feature.”