How does it feel to be back once more playing Harvey, did you expect to be revisiting the character again now he’s in prison on a life sentence?
Firstly, I'm glad to be back because I really enjoy playing this character. It's something that straight away when they asked me to play this part, I knew what I wanted to do with it. I wanted to play him very real, a proper baddie, I thought if I'm ever going to be in Coronation Street I’m glad I’m playing a baddie because it's a part I don't get to play a lot. I enjoy playing him even though he's a baddie. He has a way about him that I enjoy playing because it's a challenge for me. I don't get to play many characters like that, he’s probably the most villainous character I’ve ever played. I knew what I wanted to do with him so when they asked me to come back it was a straight yes. Obviously I wanted to make sure the storyline was something interesting for the audience because the reaction has always been good for Harvey, they seem to like him even though he's a baddie. People like to hate a baddie but at the same time he’s got a bit of charisma about him even though he’s horrendous, so yeah I was glad to come back. I think it's interesting, he's got a few scores to settle.
He's definitely a baddie that you'll always remember. Do you think it’s the fact he has no
redeeming features but yet there’s still something about him that draws people to him?
I’ve always wanted to play him as a real person, I don't want to be a cartoon baddie, someone who you think well he’s not that bad. Harvey is rotten to the core. When I did those scenes with Sam last time we saw he got under Harvey’s skin, asking why he killed his mum and why he did what he did, and I thought that was interesting. There’s a story behind every person, bad or good, there's a reason why you are who you are, and there's a reason why Harvey is the way he is. That all came out during his scenes with Sam and I found that really interesting. It broke Harvey a little bit, it was the first time you saw any other side to him. So I wanted to make sure that every time I play him it's just very true and real. I know people like this who exist out there, they’re literally out for themselves and they don't mind who they hurt along the way as long as they get what they want. Even if you think Harvey’s being alright, there's always another agenda in the back of his mind. No matter what Harvey’s saying, the cogs are always turning. For the audience, and the people in the scenes, you never know whether he's on board, whether he’s on side, if he’s agreeing or there’s something else. I always like to keep the audience guessing with him if we can. Harvey's always trying to further his own end, so I really enjoy playing it.
We saw Harvey’s brother Damon on screen last year but until this point we’ve never seen them together. Was that part of the draw for you, to see the two brothers together and look a bit more into their backstory?
There’s an interesting dynamic between them, my mum told me that Damon had me beaten up and I took it quite personally and said wait till I get my hands on him, so I'm quite glad I get to have that conversation. Damon’s denying it but Harvey knows what's gone on and he’s letting Damon know he’s not forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten. Even family aren’t safe, you cross Harvey and he won't forget, he’ll get his own back. It might not be on him, it might be his friends or his family, he’ll hurt him somehow. That’s what’s so interesting, the tug of war between them. Harvey might be inside but he can still pull the strings from where he is.
Do you think Harvey perceives weaknesses in Damon that he doesn’t have?
Harvey’s got nothing to lose and that’s what makes him so dangerous. At first we just see him playing with Damon, trying to get a reaction, then when he gets a reaction when he talks about the girl that he’s seeing, Harvey knows he’s got him. As soon as he realises how much Damon likes Sarah, the fact she’s got kids that he cares about, then he knows he’s got him. So it’s a case of you do something for me and I’ll leave them alone. He knows he’s got Damon and that's what Harvey likes, he likes to be the puppet master.
How surprised is Harvey when Adam comes to prison to put a deal to him?
He can see that Adam’s a desperate man and that's the perfect position for Harvey to find someone in. If he’s desperate he’ll do things for him and Harvey will find it easy to get him to do what he wants him to do. Harvey doesn’t mind getting rid of his brother if that’s what is needed. As far as he's concerned, his brother had him beaten up, he’s a bit of a threat, so if he’s collateral damage then so be it. Harvey’s playing everybody and they’re all singing from his hymn sheet. He’ll make Adam do things that he's not comfortable with, he'll see how far he can push him. I don’t think he really trusts Adam, I'm not sure Harvey trusts anybody. But while he's in prison he'll play these games, it's like it keeps him going while he's inside to have these mind games. He's a puppet master and playing with people's lives keeps him entertained if nothing else. But also if there is a chance of him getting out, through somebody like Adam doing something dodgy, then he’s going to use it.
Adam thinks he can outsmart Harvey but we see him quickly realise that although Harvey isn’t educated, he’s actually very clever. Do you think Adam should be worried?
He’s street smart and he knows how to work people out. There is a fear factor with Harvey and the thing is with Harvey he’s no holds barred. He will follow through with what he says he's going to do. He is intelligent and he’s socially intelligent, he’s very streetwise. You don't get to where he's got to, to the top in his game, unless you're strong and you’re clever so yes Adam should be worried. I know he’s in prison but he's always thinking of how can I get out of this situation, he's never going to settle.
We’ll see just how bad Harvey is when he agrees to get rid of his own brother. The only thing that ever seems to get to him is the mention of their mum, could Damon use this against Harvey?
When Damon’s on the backfoot he thinks how can I hurt Harvey, what can I say, and we know from that scene with Sam that’s mentioning his mum. Their mum passed away when Harvey was young, he's got a picture of her on his prison wall and after that conversation with Sam he wrecked his cell thinking about it. That's his weakness, he knows his mum wouldn’t be proud of him, but it’s too late and she’s not here. He can't think about it, he can't be weak in prison. Damon tries to send the ball back over the net by saying while you’re in here think of that but all that’s going to do is make Harvey go even deeper.
While he's stuck in prison what he has got is his mind and he's thinking if you’re going to hurt I’ll come at you, your friends, your loved ones, their kids, he doesn't stop. It's not going to make him happy but it's all about getting even and making sure people respect because in prison that's all you've got.
What's it like for you just filming on the prison set, doing all your scenes back to back in there, does it give it more intensity?
I love it, everyone gets to come into my world. Once I walk onto that set I’m Harvey, everything changes, my walk changes, the way I speak. As soon as I put my clothes on and walk on everything changes and that's why I like it. When you know a character inside out, like I feel I know Harvey you just step into it. Then when people come on to the set I sit differently, I play with it a little bit like Harvey does. Playing him you can just do something with a look, the way he moves to disconcert people, or the way he can be flippant and just play with people. He’s enjoyable to play because he doesn’t have respect for people, he can be one thing then another. So when people come onto the set it’s my domain and I enjoy it.
Whatever I’m doing I come ready, I want it to be the best it can be, you’re only as good as the last scene you did. I want to be 100% genuine and believable, whoever I'm playing, so in that moment I'm Harvey and that's the end of it. Me and Sam get on and have a laugh afterwards but in that moment I’m Harvey and I’ll stare you out, make awkward moments, I’ll lean in and I’ll grab you. That's when you get the best out yourself, you’ve just got to go in 100%. The only time Harvey will ever smile is when he’s got someone where he wants them.
How are you finding working with Ciaran and Sam as they’re people we've not seen Harvey with before?
Great. I've never had a problem with anyone I've worked with at Corrie, they’ve always been very friendly, it's a lovely environment to be in. Obviously I only get to work in my cell now so a lot of my scenes are two handers and I like that. You get a rhythm and a good pace, you can play with the timing and that’s everything in acting so I really enjoy it. I think we've done some good stuff, we’re setting things up, and I hope the audience like what we're doing with Harvey, Damon and Adam.
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