Brendan Coyle Talks About His New Project 'Starlings'

TV Choice has posted an interview with Brendan Coyle (Mr Bates). I love all the press he's doing for his new show, Starlings:

Downton Abbey star Brendan Coyle appears in Starlings, a soft-centred comedy-drama about four generations of one family living under one chaotic roof. He plays father-of-three Terry Starling, alongside Lesley Sharp, who plays his wife Jan.

Was it a deliberate decision to do something very different from Downton Abbey?
It wasn’t a conscious thing – anything other than playing a valet with a limp would be different! You’re always looking to play a range, but more importantly you’re looking for good writing, and this just came along. It rang bells straight away, and I immediately had that 'yes!' moment.

You haven’t done so much comedy. Were you nervous about Starlings?
When I got offered it, I got cold feet, because there’s nothing worse than a warm comedy-drama that isn’t warm or funny. But there’s a lot of great comedy in it, especially from the boys (John Dagleish and Ukweli Roach) and this brilliant grandad character (Alan Williams). I’m really pleased with it.

Read the full interview here.