A message from Mr Johnny Harris

[Dave]

The fantastic Johnny Harris has posted a message for one and all in the 'New Members' section of the site.
I thought I'd make a thread for it in the This Is England section too so more people notice it as the TIE88 fervour continues!

So, here's Mr Johnny Harris' message. What a top bloke!

I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words of support and praise posted on here during the making of, and screening of... This is England 86-88.
It's been an absolute pleasure from the moment I walked into the audition room of the great man in Nottingham and met Shane, Vicky, and Chanel for the first time, along with his producers the lovely Mark Herbert and Libby Durdy.

I knew instantly this was no ordinary set up as you don't often have the lead actors turn up to read with you...or as lovely a reception as I was given. I also got a call from Shane as I ran back to Nottingham station in the rain (I was broke and couldn't miss the train) to say I'd got the part!...He said "I know it's a long journey back mate and thought I'd make it a bit easier for you!" He did!... I'll never forget how I felt on that train journey home.. and again, in hindsight it was another sign that I was about to meet someone a bit special!

The next train journey was up to Sheffield to start work on 'MICK' and TIE86...and meet the greatest gang I'll ever get to be a part of!

Shane Meadows is without a shadow of a doubt THE most interesting and wonderful man I know! He is truly an artist and has an understanding of people unlike any other I have witnessed. He also has great technical knowledge and an artists eye and it's no accident his work looks so beautiful.

Working with Shane is everything I'd ever dreamed of as an actor. Every theory I'd ever believed in, but not had the chance to try under more orthodox conditions and directors...right there and happening...and working! I felt instantly at home as an actor and knew there was nothing I couldn't try or explore.

I will mention also That Vicky Mclure went to places physically, mentally, and spiritually for Lol that I have ever witnessed an actress go to...and in the process has become one of the greatest friends a guy could wish for!

All of this and more is down to one man and the team of trusted people he has built around him. I feel blessed to have been part of that circle and to have gone on this journey with them all.

Thank you all for your kind words and messages along the way...Thank you to the gang for taking me in.... and thank you SHANE MEADOWS! x

Johnny Harris x

[jill]

Thanks for posting Johnny-you were so good as Mick's ghost, that I kind of forgot you were actually 'in it' ;D Good luck in the future-will be looking out for your next work. x

If anybody reading hasn't seen London to Brighton yet-see it!!!

[saffy]

Yup .. I hope I look as good dead.

[RydCook]

Lovely message to read Johnny. Insightful and heartwarming. Congrats on an astounding performance throughout both 86 and 88.

[Gareth]

loved your tweets on the night too Johnny, can't wait to see a lot more of your work in the future

[Dazza]

If anyone hasn't seen it (I'm guessing most of you have) check out 'London to Brighton' Mr Harris is phenomenal in it as Derek and its the first film I saw him in ;D

[interceptor5]

I am not easily gripped or affected by dramas but the This is England films are raw and real ! I was not only gripped but was dragged , tortured, manipulated, relieved, humoured and thrilled. The bitter/sweet rollercoaster was the culmination of fantastic casting /acting and brilliant direction. There was not a character who was not real and raw - the result was that I was traumatised because I cared and believed in the charactyers. I had a inner city tough upbringing, knives and violence were a part of my childhood but I was chilled by Lol's father in life and as a ghost - an excellent portrayal of bad. I can relate to the contributor who wrote ' I forgot that you were in England '88 because you were a ghost' -that is not to deminish the effect that the character had on me - he was not there but he scared the life out of me! A fantastic performance -there are few 'bad' men that get to me on an emotional level. While I was 'on my guard from Lol's dad' I was feeling Woody and Lol's pain. Excellent performances and direction - to be able to reach out of the screen and affect the audience, thjere is no greater praise.