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Ken Stott returns as DCI Red Metcalfe

Viewers can look forward to seeing the charismatic actor Ken Stott return to star on 大象传媒 ONE in a new two-part Messiah film.

It is worth noting that catching up with this versatile, hard-working Scot on-screen is a much easier matter than trying to pin him down elsewhere.

It seems this restless talent is constantly on the move. He has just completed filming The Might Celt, a quirky story about a boy and a greyhound, in which he features with fellow countryman Robert Carlyle and American actress, Gillian Anderson.

The job started as Messiah finished shooting earlier this year.

Now about to depart for a well-earned break in his house in Umbria, he lets slip that his next incarnation is as an inquisitor in Disney's new romantic comedy, Casanova, which shoots in Venice this summer.

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat) the film stars Heath Ledger in the title role, with Hollywood hot property, Kiera Knightley, playing the one woman who doesn't fall prey to Casanova's charms.

But this evening Stott has found time to talk about reprising his much-lauded role as DCI Red Metcalfe in the Messiah films, which have been huge hits with 大象传媒 ONE audiences and critics alike.

This is the third time Stott plays the cerebral detective, Red, familiar to viewers as the only man they can trust to get into the minds of serial killers and then outwit them.

Known as an actor who takes his profession seriously, Stott can't help ruminating about the success of the films, notably crediting nothing to his compelling presence as the DCI Red.

"The Messiahs are examples of really clever stories presented in styles that entertain and are familiar to us," Stott observes.

"I think that's why they do so well here and abroad.

"The whodunnit plotting is like Agatha Christie, but modernised and drawing on a much darker vein of inspiration. Sometimes I think the plots resemble a terrifying adult version of Cluedo? in the way that classic Christie does.

"Mercifully, Messiah doesn't reflect real-life at all - serial killers committing heinous crimes are not common, but everyone can relate to the characters as they struggle against evil.

"The stories are full of suspense and theatricality but don't dramatise real crimes.

"It's true to say that during the series Neil (DI Duncan Warren), Frances (DI Kate Beauchamp) and I have developed a sort of trench humour to deal with some of the more disturbing elements of the storylines.

"These films are known to be stylish psychological thrillers, which demand full on attention and don't let up for 90 minutes.

"Often things are implied rather than seen and for some reason letting our imaginations do the work is even more frightening!" he chuckles mischievously.

Continuing Stott says: "I don't think this latest script will disappoint. The Promise delivers a cracking tale."

Messiah III: The Promise was shot earlier this year in London's East End in some very dark, dank, gloomy empty buildings, including a disused hospital in Bow.

"It promises to chill to the marrow," warns Stott ominously. "There's an explosive opening when a past adversary of Red's shows up and wreaks havoc and worse, but then things take an even more sinister turn when the casualties are transferred to hospital and perversely the murder rate starts escalating.

"The new case is very tough on the team," explains Stott. "Kate in particular has a shocking trauma to cope with and we see more of Red's paternal side as he tries to reach her."

When it is suggested that perhaps audiences also need the comfort of knowing that Red is never far away, the question of his character's appeal comes up.

Stott gives a typically modest and intelligent answer: "Red is an everyman character - fallible, flawed, and vulnerable.

"Everyone can engage with him as well as try to figure out what they would do if they had the unenviable job of being in his shoes, instead of being on the edge of their sofas!"

After Messiah, fans of this ever-popular actor can see him on ITV1 in a radically different role in Uncle Adolf, when he plays Hitler.

Christine Tremarco is his wife, Eva Braun, and Elaine Cassidy plays his niece, Geli Raubel, in whom Hitler has an unhealthy interest.

When talking about this new challenging role, he almost sounds like Red in his quest to stop the worst happening again.

"He's [Hitler] been demonised, which I think is a very good way of ensuring the whole damn thing happens again. If we don't understand the psychology, then we won't be able to see it in others."

Throughout this summer Stott appears on the big screen in various films, including the Disney blockbuster King Arthur, starring Clive Owen and Kiera Knightley, as well as the bittersweet asylum seeker flick Spivs, with Jack Dee.