Exclusive: Edward Woodward Interview

We caught up with acting legend Edward Woodward to find out more about the classic TV series The Equalizer, which is out now on DVD...

Why do you think the show was so popular?

I think viewers were fascinated by this idea that there was someone there who could help when they needed it most. There weren't many characters like that on television. So this hope was part and parcel of its success. We used to have a lot of people writing in asking for help because they thought it was real and that was a bit frightening.

Was it fun to make the show?

It was interesting – not fun. I loved New York and living there. It was a great crew and lots of great actors came through but our hours were so long. Some times I’d be up at six in the morning, I'd work out with a personal trainer and then start shooting at 7.30am. We filmed mostly on the streets so it was 25 and below in the winter and 95 plus in the summer so it was pretty uncomfortable. The hours were so long – some times I’d get back at 11 or 12 at night and some times later.

The show featured quite a few actors who went on to become famous afterwards...

I don’t think we ever had a bad actor on it because a lot of American actors wanted to do it because the quality was so good and it was very popular. I remember Kevin Spacey and I think we had Macauley Culkin on it a couple of times. I remember working with John Goodman a lot because he’s a very big man and we spent a lot of time in a very small van!

What was it like working with Adam Ant on the series?

Adam was a lovely guy. We had Meat Loaf too and he was smashing. They were very nice people. They hadn’t done much acting so they were a bit nervous but they were very good.

If they remade the show today, who would you cast as The Equalizer?

Oh, I think George Clooney – someone like that. I’m told that they are working on a movie of it but I don't know if it's true. Would I fancy a cameo? It would depend on the script and what the role is. I wouldn’t say no at the moment and I wouldn’t say yes, I’ll just wait and see.

You recently appeared alongside your son and grandson in The Bill. What was that like?

I had a wonderful role. I’d worked with Tim but never Fran, my grandson. He kept calling me ‘grandad’ all the time on set and I said ‘no, we’re working so you must call me Edward’ but he would never call me that. In the end other people on set started calling me granddad too!

What’s coming up next for you?

I’m going down to Cornwall where I’m doing a film. It’s the true story of a vicar who went down to this village in 1922 and proceeded to destroy the church because he was so boring. He would do one hour and a half long sermons and drove parishoners away. I won’t say to much about it as it’s a smashing story and I don't want to give too much away.

Season One of The Equalizer is out now - watch a clip

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