Interview with Blake Harrison
Interview with Blake Harrisonl, who plays Karl in Trust Me.
Published: 26 July 2017
The fact that it’s written by someone who has years of experience working for the NHS and is still practicing is a big plus. It gives the writing an authenticity that I think the audience will respond to.
What appealed to you about this project?
The script hooked me immediately. The fact that it’s written by someone who has years of experience working for the NHS and is still practicing was a big plus. It gives the writing an authenticity that I think the audience will respond to.
How would you describe your character?
Karl has been dependent on alcohol for a long time. It’s destroyed his marriage and was eroding his relationship with his daughter, Molly. Thankfully we meet Karl after he’s turned a corner. He’s six months sober but still struggling to financially support Molly. His struggles still have a negative impact on the ones he loves, but he is desperate to show that he can be the father his daughter deserves. And possibly the husband that Cath deserves.
What sort of man is Karl?
Karl is a man in transition. He was selfish. He let his own desires get in the way of his ability to be a good father and husband; now he’s exorcised those demons and is trying to make amends. He has a new lease of life and is driven by the desire to be a good father. When it looks like Cath will take his daughter to Scotland he worries that he’ll lose his main motivation for staying sober.
How would you describe his relationship with Cath?
It’s very strained. There is still some love there, but after letting her down constantly, Cath is understandably sceptical of his recent transformation and frustrated by his inability to contribute financially to their daughter’s upbringing.
How else did you prepare for the role?
I did some research into sobriety. I found some heartwarming accounts of people who have battled through addiction and are now much happier. They’re better fathers, husbands, more productive. I applied what I could from those accounts. I also exercised a lot more. One thing I found was that people can overhaul themselves physically once they are sober. They feel healthier than ever before and, in some cases, things like running become a new addiction to them.
What are the biggest challenges that you have faced so far during filming?
My biggest challenge on the job was being away from my pregnant wife. I was constantly worried about getting a phone call saying she’d gone into labour and I’d have a mad rush to fly home in time to be with her. Thankfully my son was born the day after I wrapped. Impeccable timing.
Character biographies
Cath Hardacre/Dr. Ally Sutton (Jodie Whittaker)
Everything about Cath says that she is honest, hardworking and uncompromising. In a well intentioned meeting with the hospital board Cath loses her job - and with that the means to provide for her daughter. In a moment of desperation, Cath steals her best friend’s identity and applies for a job in Edinburgh, adopting the persona Dr. Ally Sutton. As Ally, she becomes a trusted member of the emergency department and against her better judgement falls for her colleague, Dr Andy Brenner.
Dr. Andy Brenner (Emun Elliott)
Andy is a consultant in the emergency department, a doctor whose professional and charming manner puts even the most nervous patient at ease. Tired of playing second fiddle to his career, Andy’s ex-wife ended their marriage, taking their children with her. To his surprise, Andy soon finds himself falling for Ally, who is his intellectual counterpart. She represents the light at the end of the tunnel after his painful separation and he finally feels he’s getting his life back on track after the acrimonious split from his ex-wife. But Andy doesn't know Ally as well as he thinks he does...
Dr. Brigitte McAdams (Sharon Small)
If anyone is going to survive the sinking ship of the emergency department, it is Brigitte. She is the clinical lead in the department but she considers it a poisoned chalice of endless paperwork. Openly admitting that she is only in the profession to keep her daughters in private school, Brigitte has fallen out of love with treating patients and lacks confidence when she must take care of a serious medical case. Brigitte’s slightly bonkers approach towards medicine means that her team rally around her when they sense that she is losing her nerve.
Karl (Blake Harrison)
Karl was on the path to making something of his life, but it all came crashing down after he lost his job. With his contract severed and his debt increasing, Karl found himself in the throes of alcohol addiction. His relationship with Cath suffered as a result and they separated shortly afterwards. Since then, Karl has been in a constant cycle in and out of alcohol rehabilitation. When Cath moves to Edinburgh, it gives him the push to change his life for the better. Karl realises how much he misses his daughter Molly being present in his life and vows to do all that he can to be closer to her. But will Karl’s good behaviour be rewarded with the family reunion he longs for?
