Kadiff Kirwan – The Stranger

By starrymag | January 31, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) Well, I’m about to come to the end of my run in the show Guys and Dolls. I’ve been playing the role of Sky Masterson in the epic Broadway musical over the festive period, a role that was made famous by Marlon Brando. It’s been a wonderfully fun and nice to get back on stage after quite a few years of mainly TV work. But what I’m really excited about is the new Netflix series “The Stranger” that I have been working on is about to come out. It was such a thrilling show to be a part of. We spent six months filming it in and around Manchester last year and we had a pretty awesome time.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the new series “The Stranger.”

 

A) “The Stranger” is an eight-part psychological thriller filled with intrigue, secrets, corruption and many twists and turns. It’s a story of a normal family going through a chain of events that shake them to their core. It’s got a host of wonderful British actors in it and I’m so excited for the world to see it. I play DC Wesley Ross alongside DS Joanna Griffin played by the luminous Siobhan Finneran. We’re the two coppers trying to solve what on the outside seems to be a rather strange set of crimes. But with secrets being revealed from an unknown stranger, it throws into action a chain of events that no one can truly be prepared for.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

 

A) For me it was the scripts. They were packed full of action, humor, lots of twists and turns and heart. I read maybe four of the scripts in one sitting, I just couldn’t put them down, which is a rarity for me.

 

Q) How was DC Wesley Ross originally described to you?

 

A) He was described as a high functioning junior detective who hasn’t got much of a filter, regardless of whatever environment he is in. Great at his job and openly gay, he is someone who knows himself well and is willing to go that extra mile for his friends and job.

 

Q) What was your audition like for the role?

 

A) It was one of the most relaxed auditions I’ve ever had in my career. The brilliant casting team (Priscilla John/Orla Maxwell) made me feel so chilled and respected in the decisions I made for the character that by the time I met the director and producer it kind of felt like it was already my role.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to the character that wasn’t in his initial breakdown?

 

A lot of what Wes is was already on the page. When reading the script, he felt like a fully rounded character. I would say the relationship with him and his boss DS Griffin played by Siobhan Finneran was something that got stronger and stronger once we met. We added a few quirks that are quite evident on screen. I’ve never laughed more in my life than when working with her.

 

Q) What kind of prep work went into portraying a detective constable?

 

A) For me it was getting my head around the lingo and abbreviations that police officers use. Once I got my head around that it was just learning my lines and serving the text and having FUN.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before you started working with them on the series?

 

A) Yes! My actual real-life best friend of over ten years who I went to drama school with and trained together with (Hannah John-Kamen) is the titular role The Stranger. Once we found out we’d both been cast the excitement that ensued was that of two mischievous children. That was pretty dope. It’s not often you get to shoot an 8-part Netflix Original series with your best mate.

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments (on screen or behind the scenes) from filming “The Stranger?”

 

A) There’s quite honestly too many to mention. From jumping over a wall and falling into a ditch to corpsing so hard I could hardly get any of my lines out. It’s been one of the joys of my career shooting this show.

 

Q) What makes Netflix the perfect home for this new show?

 

A) As mentioned earlier, when I received the script, I couldn’t put them down. I just had to know what was happening in the next episode. I think the bingeable nature of Netflix is the perfect platform for our show. I’ve a feeling people are going to be watching four to five episodes in one sitting, if not the whole thing. It’s rather moreish and utterly thrilling.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you’ll be receiving to the series?

 

A) Absolutely! Good, bad, indifferent, come at me! The show hasn’t even been released yet and there are already quite a few fan accounts dedicated to the show. The brilliant creator Harlan Coben has such a huge fanbase from his novels that I think it’s gonna be that times a thousand once the show drops on Netflix.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

 

A) There’s lots more to come. 2020 is gonna be a brilliant year, so stay tuned!