大象传媒

Anthony Welsh stars as 'Dean' in the 'The Visitor', a drama about an adopted young man who is confronted with some difficult decisions when a woman turns up claiming to be the sister he never knew he had. Here, Anthony talks about his character, the story, and working with director Dominic Savage.

Anthony Welsh as 'Dean' in 'The Visitor'

He knows he would love to have a family that shares his blood but he鈥檚 wary, he鈥檚 very vulnerable.

Anthony Welsh

What attracted you to be involved in The Secrets?

Dominic Savage. I鈥檝e always heard about his method and his approach to the work and that鈥檚 what intrigued me the most. He鈥檚 about an authenticity and finding something else within the script to represent what is needed most for each scene, and he鈥檚 just a lovely guy. Ultimately, that鈥檚 what it was.

How was it working with Dominic?

It was everything I wanted it to be. He鈥檚 very sensitive to actors and he鈥檚 a very good people person which is a great quality to have as a director, as well as knowing which way he wanted to take the piece. It was great, apart from us being on a cold hill somewhere in North London for a whole day in February but it was definitely worth it!

How does Dean feel when Cassie first finds him?

The first time he sees her, she approaches him so he鈥檚 a little bit defensive and unable to deal with it, even though it鈥檚 something he鈥檚 thought about from the moment that he knew he was adopted. It鈥檚 a mixture of emotions that he goes through in the beginning. He knows he would love to have a family that shares his blood but he鈥檚 wary, he鈥檚 very vulnerable.

Does Dean realise that all is not quite what it seems when he first meets Cassie?

He doesn鈥檛 want anything to disturb what he wants to believe - and what he wants to believe is that this is meant to be - and nothing is going to ruin it. He believes it could all work.

How does his adopted family react to him bringing Cassie home?

Surprising well. It鈥檚 massive news to have another sibling turn up on your doorstep. The fact that she鈥檚 able to stay in the house and they鈥檙e able to learn a bit more about each other is really giving, open and welcoming. The parents also know something that Dean himself doesn鈥檛 know, so they鈥檙e in a position of knowledge and are able to manoeuvre a bit better than the others.

Did you meet the writer, Ben Ockrent, at any point?

He was on set for a few days and he was great. I love that the 大象传媒 is supporting new writers and that there are opportunities to work with Dominic Savage. I encourage more of that.

What do you hope the audience will take away from watching The Visitor?

I just hope it touches people, I think that鈥檚 the greatest thing. Dominic and I wanted to find the heart and authenticity of the family and I just hope that it resonates with people.