HE’S instantly recognisable from Hollywood’s epic Greek myths like 300, Troy and Clash of the Titans.
But Welsh actor Vincent Regan, who is starring in the new series of Shetland, jokes he’s now worried about being typecast as a Scot and nicking roles from his contemporaries in our biggest crime dramas.
The 59-year-old, who remains close to Gerard Butler 29 years after finishing action film 300, said he couldn’t turn down the chance to play a mussel farmer in the BBC series after reading the script.
He said: “I’d the best time filming Shetland. It was a real career highlight and I really enjoyed playing old school Scots fisherman John Harris.
“I’d seen some of Shetland before and I was a big fan. When I read the scripts they were really well written and, also, I had never been to the Shetland Islands so it felt like the perfect opportunity to visit and be part of this show.
“Weirdly, I seem to have fallen into doing Scottish accents a lot over the years.
“The first time I worked in Scotland was with the late, great Robbie Coltrane on The Planman and that was the first time I did a Scottish accent.
“I then did Low Winter Sun with another Scottish accent and then Traces so perhaps a lot of people might think that I’m actually Scottish?
“I’m beginning to think I should step back from taking on these roles otherwise I could upset my Scottish acting friends. Mind you, I wouldn’t say no to playing a Scots detective in a big TV drama.”
Shetland’s new six-parter, which starts next Wednesday, sees the return of Ashley Jensen as Ruth Calder having taken over from Dougie Henshall’s Jimmy Perez.
Vincent’s character finds himself as one of the suspects as a mother and son who disappear were staying with him and his two sons before they went missing.
Vincent admits it was a learning experience filming in Shetland. He said: “Strangely, I thought Shetland was just off the coast of Scotland – how wrong was I? It’s midway between Norway and Scotland and completely unique.”
“It’s the most beautiful place, it really is, it’s incredible. Unfortunately, with my filming schedule, I’d film then have to fly back home.
“Even just looking out my hotel window at the incredible landscape in front of me was wonderful.
“When you’re fortunate enough to visit a place like Shetland, you don’t mind the rain so much.”
“I’ve worked on many sets around the world, with lots of different crews but I can say Shetland was the nicest team I’ve ever worked with. Everyone was very friendly and kind, a lovely atmosphere.”
The only element of his role Vincent was apprehensive about was filming on a fishing boat.
He said: “Being on John’s boat all day was quite something. Luckily we were on calm water but I do remember the adage my mum used to say on our travels to Ireland when I was young: “Always watch the horizon, don’t watch the sea birds.
“So I did that when we were filming as I can’t take sea sickness tablets as ironically, they make me ill.
“I was always glad at the end of the day when we got off the boat on to terra firma, I was thankful for the fisherman oil skins and knitted jumpers as it meant I was always cosy.”
Vincent, married to Lovejoy actress Amelia Curtis, admits he still misses his old friend Robbie, who passed away in 2022.
He said: “Robbie was a legend. We worked together at the time when Harry Potter was the biggest phenomenon on the planet and Hagrid was everyone’s favourite character.
“When we were on set he was hounded by every child in Glasgow who wanted to talk to him and get a photo. He was always so gracious and gave them all as much time as they needed. He is sorely missed.”
The Aquaman star, who lives in Yorkshire with his family, is also a big fan of Martin Compston after filming crime drama Traces in Dundee. He said: “Martin is lovely to work with. If you can get past him talking about Celtic Football Club every two minutes he’s great.
“I didn’t mind that though because Celtic are my Scottish team anyway.
“I have a season ticket for my local team Hull City as my son is a fan but I am a bit of an armchair football fan and I watch the Hoops when I can.”
Vincent, currently starring in fantasy Netflix series One Piece, still keeps in touch with Butler after they became friends on 300 in 2006.
He said: “I get texts from Gerry every now and then. He is in LA producing and starring in all his movies so we don’t get to see each other often.
“He messaged me six months ago after spotting me on One Piece and he is now threatening to see me when he is next over in the UK.”
“300 was such an iconic film which changed the landscape of modern cinema but it was also really hard work. I did eight weeks pre-film beasting where I trained non-stop and was put on the diet of a 18th-century French convict.
“I lost a tonne of weight and was properly ripped but I had so much PTSD afterwards that when I went straight from 300 to film Low Winter Sun in Edinburgh I spent the whole time in the chip shop and pub. I wasn’t ripped for long.”
Vincent, who is set to star in another series of Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon, said: “Life is pretty good at the moment and the roles keep on coming. My only complaint is having to film House of the Dragon in full armour under the heat of the summer sun – give me beautiful chilly Shetland any day.”
Shetland starts on Wednesday 6th on BBC One at 9pm
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