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Glen Wallace interview
Monday 25 August
We caught up with Glen Wallace, who plays Kris' playboy brother Malachy, to find about his upcoming HIV storyline...
Monday 25 August
We caught up with Glen Wallace, who plays Kris' playboy brother Malachy, to find about his upcoming HIV storyline...
How does it feel to be back at HOLLYOAKS?
I'm delighted to be back actually. It's one of those stories that you read but you don't think it's actually true. Initially the character of Malachy came in for three episodes to find out that Kris was a cross dresser and the producers were very keen on what I did. They brought me back and I shot another nine episodes before Christmas last year, I think this was to test the water to see if Malachy could integrate into the village and add anything to Kris' storyline. Now they've brought me back for a year long contract and it's great to get that pat on the back in a way.
I'm delighted to be back actually. It's one of those stories that you read but you don't think it's actually true. Initially the character of Malachy came in for three episodes to find out that Kris was a cross dresser and the producers were very keen on what I did. They brought me back and I shot another nine episodes before Christmas last year, I think this was to test the water to see if Malachy could integrate into the village and add anything to Kris' storyline. Now they've brought me back for a year long contract and it's great to get that pat on the back in a way.
It's already been revealed that Malachy is going to find out that he is HIV positive. How is Malachy going to react to this news?
Unfortunately I think that Malachy is one of those guys that...because we play stereotypes, lets be honest...so he's the builder from Northern Ireland who sleeps around with women, who doesn't accept that his brother is gay or bisexual, he has is a very simple life.
He actually thinks its fine to go around sleeping with women because he doesn't think that HIV affects him, he thinks it's a gay disease. I think that the beauty of this storyline is that we can sort of highlight that. There's a lot of ignorance involved I think, on Malachy's behalf. He's a simple guy; he goes and works on the builder's yard, he gets paid cash in hand, he enjoys a pint with the lads, he goes out with a girl if he likes her and if he doesn't he moves on. It's probably just as well that he has Kris who has an understanding and who is educated to help him through this.
It must be a massive thing for anyone to find out that they are HIV positive but to find out and be that ignorant is quite an interesting point.
Unfortunately I think that Malachy is one of those guys that...because we play stereotypes, lets be honest...so he's the builder from Northern Ireland who sleeps around with women, who doesn't accept that his brother is gay or bisexual, he has is a very simple life.
He actually thinks its fine to go around sleeping with women because he doesn't think that HIV affects him, he thinks it's a gay disease. I think that the beauty of this storyline is that we can sort of highlight that. There's a lot of ignorance involved I think, on Malachy's behalf. He's a simple guy; he goes and works on the builder's yard, he gets paid cash in hand, he enjoys a pint with the lads, he goes out with a girl if he likes her and if he doesn't he moves on. It's probably just as well that he has Kris who has an understanding and who is educated to help him through this.
It must be a massive thing for anyone to find out that they are HIV positive but to find out and be that ignorant is quite an interesting point.
Do Malachy and Mercedes have feelings for each other or is their relationship just about sex?
Mercedes is they are very alike, they are two alpha characters and everything is about them – that sounds a bit harsh! Like I say Malachy says it how it is and I think Mercedes is like that too and for whatever reason there is a lot of chemistry between the two of them. It suits the pair of them until they realise they have deeper feelings and then that takes it down another journey. Unfortunately, that journey which could have lead to happiness has now been cut short because of the HIV. I think Malachy still has a hope for them though, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Mercedes is they are very alike, they are two alpha characters and everything is about them – that sounds a bit harsh! Like I say Malachy says it how it is and I think Mercedes is like that too and for whatever reason there is a lot of chemistry between the two of them. It suits the pair of them until they realise they have deeper feelings and then that takes it down another journey. Unfortunately, that journey which could have lead to happiness has now been cut short because of the HIV. I think Malachy still has a hope for them though, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Have you done much research for this storyline?
Yeah, I have. I think you have to, to do the story justice, and all the people who suffer from HIV justice. It was bizarre for me when we sat down to talk about it, to find out that the last time this issue was tackled was 20 years ago with Mark Fowler on Eastenders. I remember that storyline coming out and it was bold to do back then.
It’s been 20 years since that so there will be a generation of kids who weren't hit with a story like this and I think that can lead to a certain amount of ignorance.
It's just like Malachy, he doesn't understand the complexities or what can happen because of the actions he's taken. So that's why I had to do the research. Now that we are 20 years on there are medical advances and that’s why Kris’ storyline, where he may or may not have HIV, sees him take these PEP drugs which are...well, the best way I can describe is as the morning after pill for HIV. You have up to 72 hours to take this drug and it completely obliterates your body and takes it back to zero and then starts building it back up – it’s a horrendous thing. However, if it means that it helps then that's great. I didn't know about this drug until I started researching for this storyline.
Yeah, I have. I think you have to, to do the story justice, and all the people who suffer from HIV justice. It was bizarre for me when we sat down to talk about it, to find out that the last time this issue was tackled was 20 years ago with Mark Fowler on Eastenders. I remember that storyline coming out and it was bold to do back then.
It’s been 20 years since that so there will be a generation of kids who weren't hit with a story like this and I think that can lead to a certain amount of ignorance.
It's just like Malachy, he doesn't understand the complexities or what can happen because of the actions he's taken. So that's why I had to do the research. Now that we are 20 years on there are medical advances and that’s why Kris’ storyline, where he may or may not have HIV, sees him take these PEP drugs which are...well, the best way I can describe is as the morning after pill for HIV. You have up to 72 hours to take this drug and it completely obliterates your body and takes it back to zero and then starts building it back up – it’s a horrendous thing. However, if it means that it helps then that's great. I didn't know about this drug until I started researching for this storyline.
What kind of research did you do?
I've done all sorts from researching on the internet to watching films such as Philadelphia. The latest figures coming out of America, show that HIV is still on the increase, so it's something that needs to be in the focus. Malachy has this attitude 'this can’t happen to me' and then it does and I think too many people have this attitude and that's what need to be changed.
I've done all sorts from researching on the internet to watching films such as Philadelphia. The latest figures coming out of America, show that HIV is still on the increase, so it's something that needs to be in the focus. Malachy has this attitude 'this can’t happen to me' and then it does and I think too many people have this attitude and that's what need to be changed.
Did you feel daunted when they first told you about this storyline?
No, because as an actor it's exactly what you want. You could be in the village building a santa's grotto or decorating in Evissa, or you could have an HIV storyline and you think 'yeah I could do that'. So no, I'm excited really.
No, because as an actor it's exactly what you want. You could be in the village building a santa's grotto or decorating in Evissa, or you could have an HIV storyline and you think 'yeah I could do that'. So no, I'm excited really.
What is going to happen when Malachy realises that Kris and Mercedes have slept together?
In the back of his head he's still thinking 'I have HIV, I need to tell Kris and Mercedes'. Malachy returns after doing a runner for a few days and obviously Mercedes isn't speaking to him and Kris says to him that Mercedes was just another girl and why is he bothered. Malachy explains that he did have feelings for Mercedes which prompts Kris to admit that he slept with her. As soon as Malachy hears this the focus is drawn away from the fact that he has HIV to the fact that not only Mercedes, but Kris might have caught HIV from him too.
In the back of his head he's still thinking 'I have HIV, I need to tell Kris and Mercedes'. Malachy returns after doing a runner for a few days and obviously Mercedes isn't speaking to him and Kris says to him that Mercedes was just another girl and why is he bothered. Malachy explains that he did have feelings for Mercedes which prompts Kris to admit that he slept with her. As soon as Malachy hears this the focus is drawn away from the fact that he has HIV to the fact that not only Mercedes, but Kris might have caught HIV from him too.
Are you enjoying working with Jennifer Metcalfe (Mercedes) and Gerard McCarthy (Kris) on this storyline?
Yeah, I don't think I could have asked for two better people. Gerard and I have a history from before HOLLYOAKS as we've known each other since we were about 15 or 16, so in many respects he's like my little brother anyway, with that relationship and dynamic already being there. With regards to Jen, I don't think I'd worked with her at all until I came back this time and she's been fantastic to be honest. I'm thoroughly enjoying working with of them.
Yeah, I don't think I could have asked for two better people. Gerard and I have a history from before HOLLYOAKS as we've known each other since we were about 15 or 16, so in many respects he's like my little brother anyway, with that relationship and dynamic already being there. With regards to Jen, I don't think I'd worked with her at all until I came back this time and she's been fantastic to be honest. I'm thoroughly enjoying working with of them.
You find out more about Glen about his cast profile page. To find out more about Malachy's HIV storyline click here to read our spoiler news story.
