Alistair Petrie – Sex Education

By: Kelly Kearney

Q) You play Mr. Groff, Head Teacher of Moordale Secondary and father to confused and popular bully, Adam on the Netflix comedy “Sex Education.” Season 1 was a smash hit! What can we expect from Season Two? 

A) Ah, the difficult second album…Actually, I think an already high bar has been raised for Season Two. Everyone is aware the expectation is high. Nothing has been taken for granted. We have the same team producing, our lead director and all-round mastermind Ben Taylor helming as well as two new brilliant directors Sophie [Goodhart] and Alice [Seabright] and terrific new cast members, too. Otis’s (Asa Butterfield) journey continues and some of the female characters really come to the fore. I’m so excited about this season – and hugely proud of it. The warmth and humor shines through but it isn’t afraid to be very bold in the issues it discusses.

Q) The first season was a much-needed look at teen sexuality and it did so in such a frank and sometimes shocking way. The show brilliantly handled it so that both young and old viewers could relate, but some of the topics were definitely risky for TV. What was your reaction when you first read the script?

A) My agent called me and said she was sending me something called “Sex Education” and said it was “fantastic writing.” She’s super smart, so when she says that you listen and don’t hang about reading it. I have a very visceral reaction to scripts. I know within the first few pages how I feel about a project. It’s a physical reaction. My eyes water at the prospect. Literally; it’s weird and yet to be formally diagnosed. Any project should have some form of risk, that’s where the challenges and excitement are.

Q) “Sex Education” an instant hit across generations, races, genders and sexual orientations. What has been the formula that’s made this show spark with such a diverse fan base? 

A) Everyone has an access point for the show, whatever age or orientation you are, were or feel you might be. You are either at school experiencing the things in the show, you were at school and recognize so much of what you see in it. I do. Teenagers are at such an intense point in their lives, trying to figure out who you are is really hard. I am still figuring it out, it’s just that the older you get maybe you get a bit better at hiding it.

To make any piece of television or film work, there needs to be a special alchemy. Many, many things have to go right. No one sets out to make an average piece of work. SO much time and effort and love and commitment from literally hundreds of people sometimes over years is spent working on a project. That alchemy of writing, directing, producing, script editing, casting, design, sound, music and, god, so many other departments has to somehow work like a spell. It’s nigh on impossible. But when it happens, the audience run toward it. Hopefully. But you never know. You will never know until it broadcasts. There’s so much TV out there right now. I like to think the cream generally rises. Audiences have so much choice; underestimate them at your peril.

Q) Where or in whom do you find the inspiration for this character? Did you model him after anyone fictional or from your real-life experiences? 

A) You always try and find layers from within. You look to yourself first then others. At least I do. I develop a character without judgement. I usually start with ignoring their job – if they have one – and start with the human being, their background, what they might feel and think. Then the details. I ask questions of them…their likes, dislikes, private beliefs, public attitudes. And you always start with the script and set yourself as a detective. With good writing, the clues are always there. I’ve also, like everyone, had teachers…a few of their traits might pop up from time to time.

Q) What would you say drives your character? He isn’t exactly an open book and is definitely harsh towards his students and family. 

A) He’s very controlling. He’s holding on so tight to so many things. He’s reached the point where if he feels things slipping rampant chaos will ensue in both his work and personal life. Rigidity and control help him feel calmer about things, but his internal engine is racing pretty much constantly. He’s very competitive, too. I’m sure there are family issues going back to his own father. I think he might have lost his own father quite young and so has no frames of reference in how to be a Dad, especially to a teenage son. He has the capacity to love but the emotion scares him because he doesn’t feel it’s tangible. He’s a complex, complex man…. a Psychotherapist’s dream case; not that he’d ever make that appointment. In Season Two, circumstances may just make him have to look within himself somewhat.

Q) Season One left off on a very sour note between father and son. Do you think Mr. Groff regrets how he left things with his son or does he truly think sending him away will reform him? 

A) He’s struggling. Everyone has regrets and he’s no different. The question is will he let himself confront and deal with them. If he can. He’s doing what he thinks is best which, sure, isn’t great. I love Connor’s [Swindells] work as Adam. He’s a stunning actor. A day on camera (and off) with him is always a joy. I love him to bits.

Q) Not that either of them would admit it, but father and son share some similar characteristics and personality traits. Both want to be liked at the school and both have a tendency to hide their emotions by angrily lashing out. This has led to a difficult relationship between the two. Is Mr. Groff so hard on Adam because he identifies with his struggles or is he just overly strict and thinks that’s parenting?

A) Again, it’s about control. The irony is he loses control a lot when things go awry. He’s quite vengeful and has quite an imagination for it sometimes. Sending him to military school he can justify to himself because he feels gave Adam ample warning and sees it as the only way to knock some sense into his son. It doesn’t remotely address the issue though. He’s missed the point entirely. He just can’t see what Adam most desperately needs. It sounds so simple though and life and familial relationships are very complicated. He couldn’t possibly ask for help either, it’s not in his nature. Not yet at least…

Q) “Sex Education,” covered many timely and often controversial topics like abortion and LGBT hate crimes. What themes can we expect the show to cover this new season? 

A) There’s a remarkable, funny but incredibly moving episode where the female characters share a very powerful storyline. I can promise you’ll be pulled in lots of different emotional directions.

Q) My favorite quote from Mr. Groff in Season Two was, “Beware of the wild female. They will chew you up and spit you out like stale crisps.” It’s quite obvious that Mr. Groff has some serious issues with women. Where do his issues with women stem from?

A) I think his father was pretty terrifying. Where Mr. Groff did what was expected of him and never rebelled, he still feels he was a disappointment to his father. I think, when he wed Maureen (Samantha Spiro), he probably married someone like his mother – she was kind, compliant and lived a very “traditional” role. It’s possible his mother never stood up for him and, whilst he loved her, he didn’t have the ally he needed against a controlling father. It’s tragically cyclical.

Q) Those dance moves in the final episode to “Old Time Rock and Roll” showed viewers a different side to the stuffy Head Teacher. Talk about filming that scene. Was that scene choreographed or was that all you? 

A) All my fault, I’m afraid. I just said let the camera roll, put some 80s music on a speaker and I’ll freestyle it. We had a brief ten-minute window at the end of a day to film it and it was a riot. This job is a constant surprise; who would have thought a day at work would involve a Risky Business dance sequence? I love it though and was delighted it stayed in the final cut. It says so much about him. There’s a joy buried deep there. It just needs digging up.

Q) “Sex Education” hits Netflix on January 17, 2020. What are the other recent projects you have been busy working on? 

A) 2020 is the year I fill the trifecta of actor/director/producer. I have two films coming out one called Sulphur and White and an American film we filmed in France called Eight For Silver. It’s a period horror, beautifully shot on film by Sean Ellis. I’m executive producing two exciting dramas one in the US and one in the UK as part of my new production company venture This Red Rock that I started with Alexander Siddig and I’m directing for the first time a new short script by David Kajganich who I worked with on The Terror. Busy. And Lucky. Very Lucky.