UnReality Primetime recently spoken to “Being Human” star Damian Molony about the original series, his character, what to expect in season 4, and more.
On how he got the part…
I got the part when the casting director came to my drama centre showcase last February and she brought me in to read for the part of Hal. I was doing a play up in Leeds at the time so I was back and forth on the train the entire time. I met Michael at the recall and they put us together, up against a wall, to see what the two of us looked like together and I didn’t realise how short Michael was at the time! It took me back! I got a call from my agent 3 days later just before I was about to go on stage and she told me they had offered me the part!
I moved down to Cardiff the following week and that was it for the next six months. Costume fittings, rehearsals, I was completely thrown into the deep end, but it was the most amazing job I have ever done.
On vampires…
I watched all the past series back to back and all the old school vampire movies. Mark Gatiss actually did a BBC
Three documentary on vampires and vampire films and so I went and brought every single film that he talked about and started learning old school vampire folk law. It’s so fascinating! I haven’t watched any of the new stuff as I didn’t want to be drawn into a comparison. Toby’s world of vampires exists without all the vampire mania that’s happening. I approached this role with an old school perspective. Hal is dated and drenched in history. He’s almost like an antique!
On becoming vampire Hal…
Playing Hal is my first TV role. Learning how to work in front of the camera under the guidance of the crew and working with Russell, Lenora and Michael, has just been incredible. I knew the scene was coming up for when I first had to become a vampire. Every night I’d go back to my apartment in Cardiff and practise my vampire face. I practised my hiss with imaginary fangs and then when I actually got the fangs in I found they really do all the work for you! Being a vampire was a real change from the human, emotional scenes as you’re free to do whatever you want and you can be as big and as bold and as brash as you want to be.
Read more of the interview here
