Interview with Solly McLeod – Robbie Summerhill/ Angus McKinnon

What drew you to this project?

This project came to me while I was working on another show. It started as an audition. They sent me some scenes to tape, along with what I think was the first episode, and I had some time over the weekend to read it.

I was immediately drawn to the complexity of Robbie as a character. Even in that first episode, you get glimpses of his past, who he is in the present, what he's trying to achieve and the internal battles he's fighting.

I just thought it was a really juicy role for an actor to get their teeth into.

What's it been like filming in Australia?

I've loved filming in Australia. I really wish I'd had more time to explore Sydney, but what I have seen has been wonderful. It's a lovely place to be.

It's certainly much warmer than London, and much warmer than Glasgow, so it's been nice not having to get up in the freezing cold for early starts. The food has been great, and I've loved being by the sea again. I grew up by the coast, so it's been really nice to have the beach nearby.

The Australian crew have also been incredibly professional, down to earth and passionate about the project, and that kind of enthusiasm really helps everyone.

What is Careless about?

Careless is full of complex characters, all of whom are dealing with their own struggles. There are moments when you love them and moments when you hate them, which makes them feel very human and very real.

At its heart, the series explores themes of privilege, class, revenge, trauma and mental health. Those ideas run right through the story, and I think it's a show with a lot of emotional power behind it.

Tell us about your character in the series.

Robbie is an incredibly damaged, traumatised young man from Glasgow who's grown up in foster care, moving between different families. He hasn't been treated particularly well, and some really horrendous things have happened to him. He has no family left, and he's carrying an enormous amount of grief.

When we meet him, he's driven by a desire for redemption or revenge, but we see him struggle with that throughout the series.

Deep down, I think Robbie is just a very troubled young man who's carrying so much pain. A lot of his grief comes from having nowhere to put all the love and care he has to give, and we see that emotional conflict build until it reaches a breaking point.

What are some of the themes in the show?

The series explores themes of loss, grief, trauma, mental health, class, privilege and revenge. It's a multi faceted, multi-genre story, and I genuinely think there's something in it for everyone.

What's really interesting is the way all of those themes come together in a story that could seem quite far fetched on paper, but ultimately feels very real, raw and human.

What do you hope audiences will take away from watching this show?

I hope audiences come away with a sense of how important forgiveness can be. Maybe they'll also be a little more accepting, more understanding and more open to the experiences and struggles that other people have been through.

The series also shows what can happen when someone who's been abandoned by everyone is left alone for too long. That kind of isolation can manifest itself in ways that could perhaps have been avoided.

So, ultimately, I hope people come away wanting to be a little kinder and more open to other people's differences.