http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/ne...oICGhE50viva07

Very weird interview

"The thing with soap is to shoot so many pages a day, if you were some obscure completely different character with a completely crazy accent and mannerisms, to do that 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, and then get so many pages coming through, I think you'd be shooting yourself in the foot a little bit"

Considering the number of actors who are so very unlike their characters, isn't this just an admission that he has trouble with acting? He's talking about accents and things, Jane is Scottish in real life, she's played that part for years. The guy who plays Sam Dingle in Emmerdale is nowhere near the character he portrays.

Bit of a stupid thing to say really and the rest of the interview just screams of self importance.

I've never really rated him very highly, this just confirms it for me.

I dont think saying that was the wisest thing to say to be honest. esp the fact that he had a tiff with his boss.
I simply dont see why an actor would object to a dark or controversial storyline if it gave them something interesting to work on?
I dont think him saying that his character is like himself is helpful either. Not only does it confirm the worst cliches about soap actors (they play an extension of themselves) it also seems to point to simply "going with the flow" as far as characterisation is concerned, not really committing to being someone else, which is at the heart of acting. As others have said- many actors are able to inhabit a character for years whilst being different (Pam St Clements for example had a posh accent, whilst playing Eastender Pat)

I dont think Matt is a bad actor (although he can be a bit up & down at times) but he has spoken before he thought here.

Actors Act, that is the job. Complaining about your lack of ability is just plain stupid. I agree with Ashley. Laurie Brett is Scottish and her acting ability is amazing, she's such a professional. Also, as Ashely pointed out. Sam Dingle, Pat Butcher, Karl when he was in Corrie even Sally Webster are completely different in real life, the list is endless.
If Matt can't handle it he should leave. And complaining about the first storyline he is given then taking the job just portrays him as a complete moron. If he had that much of an issue with it, he shouldn't have gone back. Obviously the money and exposure outweighed hi principles. Such a Loser and obviously not very bright if that's the kind of comments he's coming out with.

Eastenders Actors Admits he Can't Act
Hardly front page news as it's nothing that we didn't already know but how stupid can you get? In all honesty, what was he thinking? DTC should sack him. Wonder how many more Eastenders actors will come out of the 'I Can't Act' clauset now.
Prepare for a stampede

I think someone developed a bit of an ego while away on Hustle.

I think Dean's storyline, or at least part of it, must be very controversial for Matt to have that initial reaction.

What an odd interview. He makes it public he disagrees with his boss and then basically admits he can;t handle the material he is being given.

They should have brought back Carly instead.

I think his initial negative reaction to the storyline was to do with it not in-keeping with his character. I think maybe DTC talked him round with the idea that it would be a good storyline to act out.

We don't know when Matt was told this. It may have been at the very beginning when he didn't know much about how Dean was going to be.

Who cares if he can't act? He's easy on the eye and that's all that matters to me!

If that's what keeps you watching, more power to you m8. Personally, ive got all the eye candy I need at home. Would rather watch a well acted, gripping piece of drama myself.

The quotes in this article seem a bit incomplete, making me think they might be taken out of context and as a result sound worse than they were meant to. Even though Matt saying this might be an admission that he can't really play someone drastically different (and for the record I think he's very easy on the eye but not as strong an actor as some people make out), I think what he generally means is that soap operas are, by their nature, very fast moving with a quick turn around. Unlike a movie, where an actor can really disappear into a character and probably have the benefit of as many takes as they need to nail a scene, soaps probably have a bit more of a factory feel where you have to keep to an incredibly tight schedule and therefore don't get the opportunity to develop your character as much as you'd like.

As for the comment on having a bust-up with DTC, I think that this means that Dean must do something which is extremely dark and twisted. I wonder if he possibly attacks Linda? I can imagine that Matt would worry about that, as it may very well limit the shelf life of his character.

That's how I see that comment as well. I don't think he was talking about him acting at all - he was talking about his reaction to Dean doing whatever he is going to do.

I think that with DTC making him see that the storyline is a good one to do is maybe with part 2 of it. I think something initially happens (like him hurting someone), which Matt didn't want to do, but then the storyline develops from there, which is what was meant with "make people aware of that situation and go through that".

Yes so do I but can look elsewhere can't I?


Go on, live a bit.

What's all this about A stories and B stories? Didn't DTC say everyone would have to fight for their place in the spotlight? It seems Matt was offered an A storyline on a plate.

Whatever the storyline is I agree with _elly001 that it will likely limit the shelf life of the character. I don't really have a problem with Matt's comments. At least he's honest about his acting ability and limitations.

Wow, Matt does not come off well in that article at all. It sounds like DTC basically said, 'If you don't do this A storyline, all you'll get is the boring B stuff.'

It came across differently on screen


The interview starts at 1:23:30

1:25:00 is where Matt talks about the tiff

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sunday-brunch/4od

Just looking at this interview:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2...oIG5BrXaZozOT5

I don't think Matt would have a problem about playing a difficult storyline:

I wonder if it's a prison rape storyline that he had a problem with or maybe attempting to murder his mother?

Thanks Sez - I knew I remembered him saying something along those lives for a previous role. Would be interesting to see him playing that character!

In the behind the scenes interview on the EE website, Matt said that Shirley takes Dean's side over something, which Dean is pleased about.....not sure if that's about the same thing. Looking at Matt's interview, it was like he couldn't believe the storyline would happen rather than actually having a problem with acting it.

Maybe he does try to hurt Shirley. That speech he gave before Mick punched him may be very significant - he blamed Shirley for him going to prison so maybe it will come out that he actually blames her for him being raped......



Yeh same! I think Borgia is on Netflix, or the DVDs are available. Again, from him playing that role, I don't think Matt would ever have a problem acting a role, it would be about whether the storyline was right for the character.

I don't think he came off much better on-screen, to be honest. He looks like he's trying to sound intelligent -

...but failing miserably.

How do you mean?

He just comes sounds arrogant and unappreciative to me.

Plus, what with the, "Oh yah, one doesn't care for a 'duff duff' once one has already acquired one". Oh right, because you're such a pro you can really afford to turn down big, career-making storylines. Also, what a load of rubbish he's spouting about your character usually being similar to you as a person - yeah, if you're a limited actor who was primarily hired for your looks.

BIB: He didn't say those words. He basically said that once you get a duff duff you know how difficult it is to keep the stare for a long time. Lots of actors have talked about keeping the stare for a long time. I think his reasons for not wanting the storyline, which he is doing was because he was worried it could ruin his character.

We'll have to agree to disagree.