Holby Blue star in Scotland for zombies showdown

May 4 2008 By Steve Hendry

Star Returns To Scotland For Zombies Showdown Exclusive

HOLBY Blue star Cal Macaninch will be running through the streets of Edinburgh today on the 10k Great Run.

But next week, he will be seen on the big screen running through the outskirts of Glasgow, armed with a bow and arrow.

The popular actor says he was delighted to be back in Scotland to film zombie action movie Doomsday.

The big-budget film, shot here and in South Africa, boasts an impressive cast including Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins and Malcolm McDowell.

Doomsday is set in an apocalyptic Scotland of the future which has been quarantined behind a hi-tech Hadrian's Wall after being hit by a deadly virus.

Cal, 38, plays an evil henchman to Clockwork Orange star McDowell's mad scientist and he admits it was a treat to work with a cinema legend.

He said: "I got to work with Malcolm McDowell AND play with a bow and arrow. If a Robin Hood film is coming up I want in there.

"Malcolm was everything you'd expect - really down-to-earth. You can sit and listen to him for hours. He's a great raconteur.

"There was a sense of awe when he came on set but he doesn't throw his ego about.

"I remember him telling me he'd played golf the day before, saying what else would he be doing in Scotland?

"I said, 'You could learn your lines' and he laughed and said, 'That's what the set is for.' "That's what he does, he just walks about, learning his lines, taking his time. I'd be fired from Holby Blue if I did that."

In Doomsday, a crack team of soldiers and scientists are sent to Scotland to find a cure for the deadly reaper virus.

They come across a nightmarish world inhabited by punk-style zombies.

But look out for some Scots in-jokes, including a strategically placed can of Tennent's lager and traffic cone on a statue's head.

Cal was already friendly with director Neil Marshall who had worked with his wife, Spooks actress Shauna MacDonald, in previous hit film The Descent.

When Doomsday is released, Cal will still be on screen as intense detective John Keenan in BBC1 police drama Holby Blue and he has just started rehearsals for the National Theatre of Scotland's production of The Bacchae.

It caps off a good run over the last few years, including BBC1 postal drama Sorted and some well-received stage appearance.

He is waiting to hear if Holby Blue will get a third series and will be happy to return, especially since he and Shauna now have a 10- month-old daughter.

Cal said: "Being a father does add pressure.

You've got to pay bills which maybe you wouldn't have worried about in the past.

"Basically, you've got to be responsible which is not really what actors do very well!

"But it's a great joy. I'm really enjoying that domestic side."

Doomsday is in cinemas from May 9. Holby Blue is on BBC1 on Friday at 9pm.

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