Interview: Paddy Gibson

Tell us about your character

I play Thomas, who starts out as a young kid looking for adventure. When the war is declared he sees it as his opportunity to get out and have an adventure. That experience makes him grow up quite quickly. It may not be the adventure he was looking for, but it’s definitely an adventure of sorts.

How does his view of the war change over the years?

At the start everyone thought it would be over by six months, or less. Going into it, it wasn’t something they thought would take up a large majority of their young adult life. There was a realisation half way through the war or earlier that this was going to be their life and they didn’t know when it was going to end. I think that inevitably changes them as people, especially when going home, as it’s a huge thing to adjust to the real world. They’re with their friends the whole time, and although all these tragic things are happening and it’s hard physically, it’s not matched by the real world when you go home. I think the thing that had the biggest effect on them was their friends.

Thomas, as with Michael, is very close to his family. How is he affected by leaving them behind?

Thomas has a great relationship with his family, especially his Dad, who is a big role model for him. They have quite a close bond, and although that’s partly what makes him go off to war, Thomas’s desire for adventure is so strong that he is willing to leave his little brother and sister behind. Maybe if he knew it was going to go on for four years it might not be the same story, but he’s so engrossed in the war that he leaves that part behind him and in turn replaces it with Joanna, a nurse who he falls madly in love with.

What do you think seeing the war from the position of the British and German soldiers brings to the series?

I think it’s unusual and it hasn’t been done before. I think that’s really strong and to step back and realise that anyone dying or being killed for any reason isn’t right. That has justified the show.

What attracted you to the role?

The script. I intended to read the first episode and sat down thinking I’d look at episodes two and three the next day, but I couldn’t stop. When you can’t stop reading, that’s a good sign for any series.

Why do you think it’s important to commemorate such anniversaries 100 years on?

I don’t think you can forget these things, out of respect to all those people who fought. I think it’s partly commemoration and a part of paying your dues to those who fought to protect their countries. Hopefully it is a lesson as well. Looking back on these things we have to learn from history and hopefully we can only improve and learn that maybe it didn’t need to happen that way, maybe people didn’t need to die.