Interview with Mark Benton (DCI Calvin Baxter)

How is it being back playing Calvin?

Fantastic.  We knew quite soon that we had a second series commissioned and I love this job.  For me Calvin is different to play as I tend to play more comedic roles so this is a new and enjoyable experience for me as an actor. Calvin is the boss and I enjoyed playing someone with gravitas.  

Can you describe Calvin to us - his style of management - the person he is?  Do we learn any more about his backstory this season?

We don't learn more about his backstory but we do see a lighter side to him. There is a whole PR push at the police station and Calvin has been pushed in at the forefront - somewhere he is not necessarily comfortable to be.  He finds it difficult but we do have fun!  Actually we do discover that he was a DJ in his youth.  That is something unexpected.  There was a really fun scene talking about him being a DJ in his youth.  He is a good man and a good boss who cares and Frankie's arrival and her unusual work methods make him wonder at first what on earth is going on?

Tell us a little about how his relationship with Patience has evolved.

I feel that Calvin is quite protective and fatherly towards Patience. He is proud of her and her development, especially her ability to solve clues and cases is amazing...  I think Calvin really has watched her progress and he is happy to see her come out of her shell a little.  

Tonally how would you describe this series of Patience?  Does it feel different to S1?

I think it still has that wonderful Scandi Noir feel to it - it looks classy and this time it does have a little more lightness of tone.  It does explore some different angles.  You get to know members of the team a lot better - for example Will whom we get to know a lot more this time. This series cemented the relationships between the five key people as well as the people outside that immediate circle..family and friends of the characters.

How has Frankie's arrival affected Calvin's life?

I think he thinks Frankie is a real character - initially he discovers that she has a background that may or may not be shady - as a result he is a little cautious.  She also has an exemplary arrest record and so ultimately he thinks she is a valuable member of the team. 

 What are your most memorable moments in front of the camera on Patience?  This can be anecdotal - funny moments or challenging moments..

Laughing!  The thing I always find when you are making a drama that is quite serious is that you can have great fun making it.  This is a great programme with great scripts. We spend our time on set with people who we like and that means we make great stuff.  In between takes it is a real laugh!