Matthew Chambers Interview

Exclusive interview with the actor and director

This is your third time directing Doctors. Does it get easier?

It does get easier in that it becomes more of a known quantity, but I would still describe myself as being drenched behind the ears with certain aspects of directing. In my time on Doctors, however, I have worked with many different directors now - and understand that they all work differently. All have strengths in different departments, and some in all.

For example, some are technically-led. Others, actor relationship-led. Some are totally slave-like to the script and others not so - and on and on. I consider my strengths to be in the relationships I have with the actors and with the visual quality of the work. New challenges present themselves each time I direct, and I like that very much.

Would you say at this point you prefer acting or directing?

Acting has been my career for the last fourteen years; directing a part of my career for the last three. So I'd say that I prefer acting because I know it better. But, directing does make me feel fantastically alert because it is so all-consuming. Questions are being asked of you continually; decisions are having to be made, changed or manipulated as the day whizzes by.

It's exciting because you have more of a say than as an actor. You are relating to all of the crew by necessity and can therefore be more nosey - and who doesn't like being nosey?

Did you have to direct yourself in any scenes?

In the second block of episodes I directed I had to act in a few scenes, which wasn't ideal because my focus was compromised somewhat. My Producer and Director of Photography directed those scenes and were perfectly able to do so, but I suppose I didn't like giving up the sense of ownership I had come to know of the episodes. I'd rather not have that situation occur, unless I were to have the luxury of ample time, to be able to watch each take and make my own decision whether it's okay or not.

Did you have to direct Elisabeth Dermot Walsh in any scenes? How was that?

I have directed Elisabeth and she is wonderfully easy to work with. She is an intelligent woman who always comes to set with imagination, ideas and energy. It doesn't get much better than that for a director, or an actor for that matter.

Anything exciting coming up for Daniel and Zara?

Daniel and Zara do have a very exciting storyline coming up that we haven't started filming yet, but have started training for. Have I said too much? Watch this space!!