Rasmus Hardiker plays Philip Chase
What are Philip's influences, and how does he get on with
his friends and family?
He's heavily into the prog-rock performers of that era (Yes being a
prime example) and kind of pushes his best friend Ben Trotter into that
scene as well - the pair of them attempt to form a band.
Philip does grow up in the story yet he also remains very much set
in his ways.
His relationship with his parents alters due to his mother having an
affair with his art teacher.
Towards the end of the story, we see Philip mending his relationships
with his parents and with Ben.
Why do you think is Philip is so obsessed with being in a band?
Philip's obsession with being in a band may be as deep-rooted as his
need to obtain a sense of self-accomplishment, or as simple as a retreat
from the pressures of teen years.
How does Philip's relationship with Ben and Doug change over
the years?
Philip falls out with Ben when Ben leaves their band, The Maws of Doom.
Philip finds trying to reconcile these friendship problems, while also
dealing with the knowledge of his mother's affair, very difficult.
The funny thing is, the trio seem to be the best of friends at the
beginning of the story yet Nick and I noticed that our characters (Doug
and Philip) rarely have any interaction at all.
Perhaps they resent, or are jealous of, each other's relationship with
Ben.
What are your thoughts on the Seventies after working on The
Rotters' Club?
The Seventies rock! Having now worn the clothes, seen the sights and
artefacts of the era and experienced the social and political attributes,
I have a whole new respect for teenagers who were actively involved
in very similar situations to those in The Rotters' Club.
Do you have anything else coming up?
I've just finished filming a six-part series entitled Afterlife for
ITV1 in 2005. Andrew Lincoln and Lesley Sharp are just a couple of the
actors involved. Funnily enough, Cara Horgan (Claire) is in it as well.
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