Martin Compston has made a reputation for himself as vest-wearing workaholic cop Steve Arnott in Line of Obligation.
It is a position that has catapulted the 41-year-old to stardom and cemented his place within the canon of nice Scottish actors.
Nonetheless, the previous footballer-turned-theatre is eager to point out that he can play extra than simply well-dressed however world-weary cops: he is a humorous man.
So when he learn the script for the upcoming collection The Revenge Membership – a darkish comedy a few group of divorcees searching for revenge on their exes – he was excited to strive one thing new.
“The scripts are phenomenal, and it is one thing that was somewhat bit out of my consolation zone,” he informed Metro when requested what attracted him to the present.
“I really like that you may’t fairly pin it down, ? There is a little bit of comedy, it is a drama, it packs an emotional punch, after which it is form of a homicide thriller; it jumps round.”
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This is not the primary time Martin has tried to shake off the shadow of Steve’s grumpy persona and take a look at one thing new.
In 2018, he collaborated with Neil Forsyth on a present known as City Legends, the place he performed Ultravox’s Midge Ure.
“I actually loved doing that,” he defined. ‘That stayed with me for a very long time; I all the time wished a brand new crack in that.
‘I do know I am unable to complain. There is a sure form of position coming my manner, and folks appear to love me enjoying that form of darkish, emotional, heterosexual man, and I really like that.
“However when one thing like The Revenge Membership comes alongside, you are simply glad that they are considering of you for that, and then you definately see it as a chance, as a result of individuals have not actually seen me do that but.”
In fact, it may be thrilling to step exterior your consolation zone; it may also be scary, as Steve admits – particularly once you’re working with a solid as proficient as the celebrities of The Revenge Membership.
The present used large comedy names like Sharon Rooney and Meera Syal, alongside dramatic actors like Aimee-Ffion Edwards and Douglas Henshall.
“It is somewhat scary once you see Meera Syal and Sharon Rooney being solid as a result of they only have humorous bones and are simply nice at what they do.
“They will make you chortle on deck with a splash of eye.”
Fortunately, Martin says the solid and crew made the set really feel so secure and welcoming that he discovered his comedic rhythm after just a few days, although he admits he did have a little bit of a secret weapon.
“The indignant Scotsman is all the time humorous,” he laughed, admitting that he realized that if he wished to make his character – hapless roofer Callum – humorous, he needed to play to his strengths.
“I am unable to do what Sharon and Mina do,” he admitted. “However I all the time felt just like the comedy I might play was the straight man.
‘So it is about being emotionally concerned within the loopy moments, however enjoying them as in the event that they have been actual. That might be humorous.’
One of the best instance of this, in accordance with Martin, is when Callum and the remainder of The Revenge Membership share secrets and techniques about their exes that drove them up the wall.
As you may anticipate, the group shares tragic tales of betrayal, infidelity and heartbreak. However what does Callum have? Properly, his spouse calls John Lewis “Johnny LuLu.”
“The hatred he has at that second, that is a humorous line,” Martin explains. “However it’s funnier since you suppose he’ll say one thing else. One thing very profound.’
So, after engaged on a present about getting again at those that wronged you, how does Martin really feel about revenge?
Properly, he can sympathize with the fantasy; he thinks individuals know the place the road is.
“I believe the explanation it resonates a lot with individuals is as a result of we have all had a revenge fantasy in our heads at one time or one other,” he mentioned.
‘Whether or not it is a bully at college, somebody making your work life hell, or scratching your automobile. However typically persons are good, and you do not play off of them, and that is a civilized society, regardless that all of us have somewhat little bit of darkness in us.”
Nonetheless, in accordance with Martin, what makes The Revenge Membership so nice is that it permits us to discover that darkness and cross that line in a enjoyable and secure manner.
‘Issues get out of hand ultimately [the series]and there’s a level the place it goes from the will for justice to revenge.”
Certainly, that complexity appealed to Martin, who brazenly admits that The Revenge Membership could also be our heroes, however they’ve “questionable morals.”
“We’re not simply the great guys,” he says. “I believe that is the advantage of writing [the characters] additionally really feel responsible and ashamed about what they do, they doubt themselves.’
The Revenge Membership might be launched on December 12, 2025 on Paramount Plus.
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