Burn Up
Rupert Penry-Jones plays Tom McConnell
What was it about Burn Up that drew you to the project?
One of the best things about the script was the fact that it made me realise
how serious the issue of global warming is.
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As an actor, it's exciting to be
part of something that's important, that means something and can make
a difference. I think that a film like this can make a difference and does
so without appearing preachy or boring and without over cramming the
facts.
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It's about the idea that one day very soon, we're all going to have
to deal with this situation and make changes to the way we lead our lives
and run our countries and the difficulties involved in doing that.
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What sort of journey does your character, Tom McConnell, make over the course of the drama?
Tom starts off the film as a hard-nosed oil man; he's married into the oil business. He is married with
children and leading a very successful life.
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Then, he gets involved with Holly, who has really been
brought in to run the renewables division at his company and is secretly an environmental activist.
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When Tom falls in love with her he also ends up trying to make a difference. The two of them start
working together to make sure that the Kyoto 2 agreement goes through and is not stalled by those
who are only focused on the immediate money that can be made from oil.
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With the job he's in,
Tom's able to manipulate people and pressurise others to try to make a difference.
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How did you find working with Neve and Bradley?
It's always nice to work with people that you respect. I knew of everybody in the cast and respected
them prior to working with them. I am a big fan of all of them – Neve is great fun, and we've become
good friends. When you work with someone who's willing to bend with you and give and take tips
without being offended, it's really nice. It's good to have that kind of working relationship with
another actor. With regards to Bradley, I've watched every episode made of The West Wing, it's
possibly my favourite ever show, so working with Bradley has been a joy – he's even better than I
thought he would be. I'm learning stuff from him which is a great bonus. He's a great actor!
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Can you explain the relationship between Tom and Mack?
They start off as best friends, I think Mack is like a big brother to Tom, but you soon realise that he has
ulterior motives.
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He's helped to put Tom in the position in terms of being in charge of Arrow Oil and
Tom starts to realise that he's actually trying to manipulate him. Their friendship is put under a massive
amount of strain, so although their friendship is still there throughout the film, they're fighting very
different corners.
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Has shooting Burn Up changed your perspective on global warming issues and how they should be
tackled?
Before I read the script, I didn't know much about global warming. I hadn't read up on it, I buried my
head in the sand a bit, which I think is what most people are doing.
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What it's done is wake me up
and made me realise that there is only so much you can do as an individual, in terms of cutting
emissions and not driving petrol-guzzling cars.
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I believe that everyone should do their bit, but the most
important thing is to make sure that the countries that are responsible for this are not run by people
that are not taking it seriously.
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With regards to my personal efforts to be green, I do what I can, but
I'm no saint.
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Do you think that living in a city makes it hard to lead a green lifestyle?
I think living in a city means that you're surrounded by energy-consuming things all the time. You're
not so aware of how much you're consuming.
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In London they're trying more and more to show you
how important it is to have an energy-efficient house, especially when it comes to buying or selling.
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I
think it should be made easier to make your house more eco-friendly – at the moment, it's still very
expensive. It needs to be made cheaper for people to fit solar panels on their roof for example.
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You seem to be drawn to parts that involve conspiracy theories – Spooks, now this – is that a
conscious decision?
I don't think I'm necessarily drawn to conspiracy theory shows but, because I am in Spooks, if there is
a conspiracy theory script around, my name comes up because I'm someone that has been involved
with that type of show for years.
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I personally am not a conspiracy theorist but I do love that type of
drama and I think there is something to be said for them – they're a good way of getting alternative
messages out there without getting in trouble!
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What is your experience of filming in Canada?
I was there for 10 weeks and I kept ringing friends up in London, telling them that I've never been
anywhere where people are more proud of their country and their people, certainly in a way that
Londoners don't seem to be. People pick litter up off the floor, they look after the place and I envy
that.
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I think Calgary is a fantastic city and would live here if I thought I could have a career here like
the one I have in London. It's safe, beautiful; the countryside around it is magnificent.
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I spoke to
another actor that has worked in Canada before who said there are only so many lakes and
mountains you can look at before you get bored, but I disagree. I could live somewhere like this and
look at lakes and mountains for years!
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Rupert's previous television credits include Spooks, Persuasion, Joe's Palace, Krakatoa: The Last Days,
Agatha Christie's Poirot, Cambridge Spies, North Square and The Student Prince. Film credits include
Match Point, Charlotte Gray and The Four Feathers.
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JP3/PPR
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