Q&A with Simon Pegg who plays Danny Patrick

What was it about the show that initially sparked your interest?

I read all six episodes in one sitting because it was completely gripping, and it was an immediate yes for me. I was very happy to be asked because I'm known mainly for comedy and this is very much a drama.

How does it feel to be playing Danny again?

I was so excited when I heard we were doing a second series, not least because the first series ended on such a cliffhanger. The story, which revolves around Danny and his wife Barbara, presented some very exciting prospects, so I was champing at the bit to get back.

Where do we find Danny at the beginning of series two?

We pick up pretty much where series one left off, although somehow, and thankfully, Danny's had a haircut in the interim. I had COVID hair in series one because I was on first call for a different project that wouldn't let me get my hair cut, so I had this ridiculous hairstyle. I was very happy to have a bit of a reset.

We pick up where we left off, with seemingly Russian aircraft in British airspace. Things are very tense, and we're trying to figure out whether the threat is real or not.

Can you describe Danny's character and role at GCHQ?

Danny is the Director of Operations, but he's also something of a father figure to everybody on the floor. He's been there a long time and he's a family man. I think he's quite weather-beaten by everything that's happened at the EMC over the years. He was probably a more jovial character when he was younger, but successive incursions by foreign adversaries have worn him down a little.

He's still the same person, but he carries a great deal of responsibility and has done for a long time. He's taken a few geopolitical knocks along the way.

He's a good man, very honourable, and cares deeply about his staff, particularly Saara. She arrived just as everything was kicking off in the first series, but he recognises her extraordinary talent.

How has it been exploring Danny's personal life in this series?

It's been really enjoyable looking into Danny's personal life because, in the first series, we only ever saw him at work and very much in work mode.

I was talking to Paul McGuigan, our director, and he said that when he watched the first series, he found himself wondering what Danny would be like on the bus, or at home having a cup of coffee. It was really interesting to get behind the work persona and see his domestic life, which is actually very ordinary.

Everyone at GCHQ is just a regular person with a regular life who happens to do an extraordinary job.

Can you tell us about Danny's relationship with Barbara?

Danny and Barbara are incredibly close and make a real team. They've been through a lot together, and we learn more about some of the challenges they've faced in the past and the difficulties they've had to overcome to stay together.

They love each other very much and have two wonderful sons, Elliot and Fabian. They seem to share Danny's enthusiasm for rugby.

It's a difficult job when you can't tell your partner exactly what you do. Much of the time Danny and Barbara can't discuss work because they're bound by the Official Secrets Act. It's an open relationship in many ways, but also one built around necessary secrecy.

How was it working with Siân?

Siân is fantastic. We clicked immediately, and it was very easy to play husband and wife. We're both married in real life, so we understand what it takes to make a marriage work.

She's incredibly talented. It amazes me how quickly she can access any emotion.

We filmed scenes where Danny and Barbara were having emotional confrontations, and even when she wasn't on camera she was giving everything to the performance. I'd look across and she'd have tears streaming down her face. I kept wondering how she was doing it. She's extraordinary.

Can you tell me about some of the themes explored in the series?

As always, we're dealing with international intrigue. Cyber warfare is the new frontline.

When you watch the news and see a physical attack, an explosion or a terrorist incident, you witness the consequences. What you don't see is what's happening in cyberspace, even though the level of aggression can be comparable. That's one of the central themes of the show.

There are also themes of secrecy and subterfuge, both in the work taking place on the floor of the EMC and in the personal lives of the characters. It's about what you see on the surface and what's really going on underneath.

Are there any unique storytelling techniques used to explore those themes?

We used a lot of mirror shots where we filmed through screens, so you'd see the display layered over the face of the person coding, hacking or communicating. It's a really interesting technique.

Paul was always saying, "There's too many screens," so we had to find ways to create drama and tension without simply showing people typing.

Everything that happens in cyberspace is invisible. It's all ones and zeros. Finding ways to dramatise a malware attack or a worm attack was a real challenge, but Paul was absolutely up to it. The result is a genuinely tense show.

What was it like working with director Paul McGuigan?

I love Paul. I made my first theatrical film with him, The Reckoning, about 25 years ago, and we hadn't seen each other since.

It was wonderful to reconnect. He's a great guy and an excellent director. It was really enjoyable to work together on something more substantial and really get into the scenes.

He's an incredibly intuitive director and very nurturing when it comes to performance. It's been a fantastic experience and we'd all love to work with him again.

He's also a complete film nerd, like me, so when we're not filming we're usually talking about movies.

What were the most enjoyable scenes to film?

I loved filming my scenes with Siân because they were emotionally challenging and explored the full range of experiences a couple can go through together.

I always enjoy working with Hannah because she's brilliant, and Alex Jennings is a delight. He's such a lovely man and a superb actor.

You always want to work with actors who bring out the best in you, and everybody on this production has done that.

I also enjoyed working with Chloe, who plays Roz. The dynamic between her and Danny is particularly fun because they're constantly jostling for position.

Have there been any particular behind-the-scenes moments that stood out for you?

We filmed a scene where we'd just achieved a major breakthrough and everyone was supposed to be celebrating. For some reason, the situation struck us as so funny that I couldn't stop laughing.

There was another occasion when I was taking a call from Saara. Hannah wasn't with us that day, so our script supervisor was reading her lines. That also set me off.

It's nice when the atmosphere on set allows people to relax and enjoy themselves. The show is very serious and often deals with life-and-death situations, so sometimes it's impossible not to laugh.

How have you found the new GCHQ set this series?

The new EMC is fantastic. The attention to detail is incredible.

Every coder and analyst has their own workstation, complete with snacks, stress toys and all the little personal touches that make it feel authentic.

The screens are constantly displaying news broadcasts that we've created specifically for the show. Occasionally you catch a glimpse of one and forget it's fictional.

You'll see something dramatic happening and briefly think, "Is that real?" It's a real testament to the skill of the production team.

What can audiences look forward to in this series?

This series raises the tension even further.

In the first series we were dealing with a Russian cyber attack. This time, the story expands and introduces other players, all against the backdrop of the evolving relationship between Danny and Barbara.

Those personal and geopolitical tensions run in parallel and complement one another.

By the final episode it's incredibly tense and genuinely nail-biting. We really push everything up a level.

How would you describe The Undeclared War series two in three words?

Tense, exciting and nail-biting.