'The James Wilson Interview'

5th August 2002

JC: is Jackie Clark

JW: is James Wilson

Part Three: Questions 21-27

'Cult fans are special. I know, I'm one of them!'

21. JC: How does it feel to become part of a cult fashion like Star Trek (although on a smaller scale)

JW: It's brilliant. The good thing about me is that I'm a fan as well of things like this. I know what it's like to be a cult fan. Then to be in a cult thing would be brilliant. I like to think that I know what the fans are feeling as I am one. It is an honour to be in something that fans like in a cult way. Cult fans are different to just movie fans. It's so different to have these people who are avid and cannot wait until the next one comes out.

JC: Do you ever worry that you may become Paul forever?

JW: At the moment it's ok. Because at the moment it's not big enough. If it was TV then obviously yeah it could be a double-edged sword… it could be a nightmare. As much as it would be amazing to do it, I could then become Paul forever, which as an actor isn't great. Unless the series ran and ran then it wouldn't be a problem. At the moment with just CDs it's cult rather than nationwide. I'm on the covers but some of the pictures don't really look much like me. At the moment I'm not worried but as a TV thing I'd have to really think about it just as an actor. It can be the death of your career.

It is changing slightly. There are a lot of people who come out of Eastenders who've now gone on to continue their careers. Even though they continue they are still seen as their character for a long while. Being an actor can be quite a nightmare. I would love to do it but it could be the end of my career.

22. JC: What do you think of the social/ political ideas hidden in the show's premise? For example the fact that they can't kill.

JW: I think it's really good. Anything like that… I wouldn't say I was a pacifist because as soon as you label yourself it's such a strong thing to do. I'd rather say that I was in favour of peace. But I do think it's great as surely that's the right way to be.

23. JC: Do you feel that the CDs hold true to Roger Price's original vision? Roger was big on the idea that the children would take over the world.

JW: That sort of thing is in the CDs a bit. I think that it can be a bit dodgy when a writer, or whoever, verges on dictatorship. Trying to tell people what's going to happen or what should happen and things like that. There's a fine line. The good things about the series, certainly the not killing is quite interesting because… well recently I went to see Spider Man. That was obviously a comic and meant for kids, supposedly. The level of violence in that was high…I'm not anti- violence in films…but as soon as you're doing it for kids. I'm probably a bit old school in that respect. Kids now days are so used to violence and people like Eminem etc. where it is full on… you kinda worry that if that is what they are listening to where does it lead.

24. JC: Do you see Paul as being the Newbie TP forever or will there be other 'breakouts' to follow? Have there been any hints?

JW: There haven't been any hints, no. Interesting…I suppose it depends upon how long it's gonna run. If we were here chatting in ten years time then I might be in John's position and there fore I would need to be introducing some new blood. I think for the moment they are more than happy with what they've got. If you have too many characters it gets confusing. As both a fan and a listener to this kind of thing I like to know the character. If you're bogged down with wondering whom that voice is and who's doing what then it gets too much. There certainly hasn't been any mention of anyone else. I hope not, I like being the new boy!

25. JC: Under what circumstances would you say enough is enough I'm leaving?

JW: As an actor… like I say CDs I would continue doing forever… There's a semi- anonymity about it. If it was TV it would be tricky. It's such a good thing but then again could be such a bad thing.

As Paul, I don't think he'd ever leave. I think he loves it. To start off with he wasn't sure about being a TP at all. He quite blatantly didn't want to be involved. But now he's into it he's there for life. It's quite a good set up too as he's got Elle who he can quite see himself with as a partner. He's got John who's like his dad. We don't know about Paul's family at all. We know he's got a mum because at one point in the first story he says he has to go back as his mum would be worried about him. It would be quite interesting to see if he does have a dad as, if not, that might explain part of the relationship between him and John.

26. JC: If asked would you be prepared to go into a third year of TP?

Nice and quick. Yes please.

27. JC: What are your acting aspirations for the future?

It's really hard. I'd like to do this in vision, on film or TV what ever it may be. Generally I'd like to do episodical drama. For the same reasons as I've already said, the fact that you've got good character development. Films are really good but you've only got three hours to develop the drama. In episodical drama you've got as many as ten episodes a year or what ever… a lot of things run for twenty now.

Well thanks a lot to James for giving us such a wonderful insight into his life and the character of Paul. His enthusiasm for the show shone through in every sentence and it was a genuine pleasure to interview him… Now we both can't wait until next year when we get together to celebrate with the other cast members at the 30th Anniversary Dinner.

Thanks James it was great to meet such a fun-loving person. I hope you can find room in your new home for those hundreds of Star Was figures lol "May the force be with you..."

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