Interview with Jim Howick

22 February 2016

Could you tell us a bit about your character Dominic?

Dominic is an alien who works at the border checkpoint between the human’s side of town and Troy. He is also infatuated with Lewis (Michael Socha’s character). When he finds out Lewis is half alien he is thrilled and over the moon – Dominic thinks that this revelation has levelled them as far as their status in society was concerned. As the series progresses, Dominic ends up helping Lewis in his quest to find out who he really is. He also finds himself being thrown way out of his comfort zone into gang warfare too!

What was it that attracted you to the role?

When I read the scripts I thought there were absolutely amazing… the scripts speak to you first and I was totally gripped. They’re like nothing else I’ve ever read before and they have a real Tarantino-esque tone to them. I also think that what Jonathan van Tulleken (director) and Molly Rowe (costume designer) have created is an incredibly stylish and fun show.

The ideas of “acceptance”, “otherness” and “being an outsider” are prominent in the series – how does Dominic’s story fit in with these themes?

I think Dominic just tries to get on with life. He doesn’t let the ghettoization of aliens or the subjugation of aliens get him down. At the beginning, Dominic is not counterculture at all - he’s struggling to be as legitimate as possible and better himself. But then he gets caught up in this criminal underworld in Troy and all hell breaks loose! Ironically, he often exhibits the most humanity of all the character in the story itself – probably more so than the actual humans! He’s the only one that doesn’t abuse someone somehow.

How would you describe the world of Troy?

It’s a very colourful world. It’s exploited and governed illegitimately by a crime lord who governs by fear. Wracked by a tribal turf war, there’s conflict on many fronts. It’s a very a dangerous place to be, but it’s also a very exhilarating world to be in.

What were your most fun scenes to film?

I got to drive this Mondeo which looked like a clapped out heap of rubbish, but I got to drive that like a maniac around the film studio in Bulgaria - that was fun! Most of the time I’m stuck in traffic jams as I live in London so it was really fun to actually drive something fast!

What’s next for you?

I’m in Stag, which is a 3 part drama comedy/thriller/horror for BBC. And I’m currently filming Yonderland series 3 – with the rest of the Horrible Histories gang.

And, finally, who or what is your favourite alien?

It has to be John Carpenter’s The Thing – I just love that film. It’s such a simple story terrifyingly told. You don't know the alien’s form until the climax and then, when it reveals itself, it's a monstrous alien death beast. So satisfying! Another favourite is ET - it’s just too adorable. It hurts it’s so adorable. I was flicking channels the other day and watched just 5 minutes of it and was a wreck!