Max Beesley, Philip Glenister, John Simm and Marc Warren’s holiday from hell has been extended, with the second series of Mad Dogs beginning at 9pm on Thursday 19th January on Sky1.

> Buy the Series 1 DVD on Amazon.

Marc Warren has played heroes like Albert Blithe in HBO’s Band of Brothers, villains – including Dracula himself as well as the assassin Mr Teatime in Sky1’s The Hogfather – and characters everywhere in between, from Hustle’s Danny Blue to Cool Hand Luke on the West End stage. Warren says he imagines Mad Dogs’ Rick falling somewhere in that middle – though he admits he never foresaw what an impact his character’s revealing swimwear would have.

Will we be seeing any more of those very skimpy Speedos?

“No [emphatically]. Rick’s just the same though. He is mouthy and extreme – so where the others will be a bit more level-headed, he will go that extra mile. I try not to overanalyse things – it’s not rocket science so I try to be funny and a bit of an idiot really.”

Are you pleased to back in Majorca?

“Absolutely. I love Majorca – there’s something very special about it. I’ve been coming here for the last ten years and just love the feeling of the island.

“Coupled with the fact that Mad Dogs really is a passion project and how committed I was from the beginning and this is as close as you get to a dream job.”

Were you surprised with the success of the first series?

“Not surprised, but definitely pleased. It could have gone either way, with people turning against it perhaps because people thought it was the four of us having a bit of a jolly, so it’s great that so many people saw it and so many people liked it. I think its originality really appealed to the audience.”

So how is it being part of such a ‘dream team’?

“It’s great – and not just because it’s the four of us. All departments have done a great job and [writer] Cris Cole and [director] James Hawes have done wonders.”

What are the differences between the first and the second series?

“When we did the first series, we only did a bit of location stuff and most of the time was spent in the villa. I describe that villa as like being in a hippy commune in 1970s San Francisco.

“This time around, it’s felt a lot more like hard work. Like anything, it’s what you make of it though. Either you make it hell or you enjoy it and I think we’re all incredibly fortunate to be here.”

Sounds like you’re one of life’s optimists. Is that how you’re wired?

“I wouldn’t say that’s how I am wired but I would say that’s where I am right now. I’m appreciating things a bit more.”

One of the themes of Mad Dogs is growing up and what it means to be a man. How does that resonate with you?

“Those are issues that resonate very deeply within me but in terms of the work I haven’t consciously drawn on them. Those things have been very strong in my life but I also feel as if I have let a lot of that go as well. I think it’s part of getting older and death is one of the motivations for getting it going.”

Finally, what’s your holiday essential?

“An iPod. A holiday without being able to listen to music would be tough.”

> Buy the Series 1 DVD on Amazon.

Watch the Series 2 trailer…

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