Acclaimed soap star Alex Ferns joins the cast of River City
Award-winning soap star Alex Ferns has joined the cast of River City, BBC Scotland’s popular weekly drama, taking on the role of new character Rick Harper, a menacing criminal with no moral code.
Published: 17 February 2017
I’m excited about my character, Rick – he’s going to bring some heat! He’s old school, definitely not afraid of anybody in any sense. I think he’s going to be quite charming and funny but he can turn violent if he has to. Obviously, I’m nothing like that!
Motivated only by money, status and power, Rick is the illegitimate son of gangster Billy Kennedy who arrives in Shieldinch as a rival to Lenny Murdoch (Frank Gallagher) with his focus to bring down his criminal counterpart. His arrival will cause chaos as the Murdoch family clash with Rick and the community bares the brunt of his ambition – to Rick, nothing and no one is off limits.
Alex played Trevor Morgan in EastEnders, one of the soap’s most iconic characters. Alongside his wife Mo Slater (Kacey Ainsworth), Trevor was at the centre of a harrowing domestic violence storyline which gripped the nation in 2002. Alex’s portrayal of Trevor saw him win Villain of the Year at the British Soap Awards.
Alex is looking forward to walking the streets of Shieldinch, he says: “I’m excited about my character, Rick – he’s going to bring some heat! He’s old school, definitely not afraid of anybody in any sense. I think he’s going to be quite charming and funny but he can turn violent if he has to. Obviously, I’m nothing like that!
“I love being back in Scotland – I always feel better when I come back, more at home. It’s going to be great working on a show that’s Scottish, made for Scotland. The River City set is incredible and everyone here seems really friendly. I’m a bit like the new boy which is to be expected really!”
Another new face to join River City is star of stage and screen, Iain Robertson who takes on the role of Stevie Adams, the wayward eldest son of Scarlett (Sally Howitt). Fans of River City last saw Stevie in 2005 when he was sent to jail, sacrificed by his mother Scarlett to save him from the wrath of his criminal connections.
A long stint in prison has given Stevie an edge. He’s unapologetic for the way he lives his life but River City viewers will have to wait to see whether his family reunion will be a happy one.
Alex films his first scenes at the River City set next week in an episode which will air at the end of March. Iain makes his debut as Stevie in May.
Iain Robertson is looking forward to bringing Stevie Adams back to River City, he says: “I’m delighted to join such a fantastic cast and crew and looking forward to getting into some of the storylines Stevie has coming his way. I was in a film with Sally Howitt called The Match when I was 17 and was at youth theatre with Stephen Purdon so we go way back. I already feel part of their family!”
River City’s Executive Producer, Kieran Hannigan is delighted to see Alex and Iain join the cast, he says: “We are absolutely committed to bringing the best emerging and established Scottish talent to River City. In Alex and Iain we have landed two brilliant actors with a stunning body of work. Shieldinch is buzzing with news of their arrival.”
After leaving EastEnders, Alex went on to star in the highly-acclaimed film Joyeux Noel which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. Iain made his acting debut in the 1996 film Small Faces and went on to star in productions including Shetland, Whisky Galore and Rab C Nesbitt.
A BBC Studios production, River City is part of BBC Scotland’s commitment to produce distinctive Scottish output and complements productions including BAFTA Scotland award-winning Shetland (BBC One), Still Game (BBC One), Two Doors Down (BBC Two), Trust Me (BBC One), Clique (BBC Three) and One of Us (BBC One).
JW4
