David Morrissey has a specific request for ITV viewers who are bingeing his latest psychological crime thriller, which has been described as "intoxicating" and compelling. The veteran actor, with a career spanning approximately three decades, is no stranger to gripping television dramas, having portrayed various law enforcement officers, criminals, and morally ambiguous characters. In his new series, titled 'Gone' for ITV, Morrissey takes on one of his most intriguing roles yet, starring alongside Eve Myles in a story that delves deep into themes of control, suspicion, and emotional withdrawal.
A Compelling Character Study
Morrissey portrays Michael Polly, the enigmatic headmaster of an all-boys school whose wife mysteriously vanishes one afternoon. Emotionally distant and prickly, Michael quickly becomes the primary suspect in the investigation. However, DS Annie Cassidy, played by Eve Myles, serves as his Family Liaison Officer and believes there is more to the case than initially appears. This leads to an unlikely bond forming between the two characters, creating a dynamic that drives much of the series' tension.
Exploring Emotional Isolation
What makes 'Gone' particularly fascinating is its exploration of what happens when someone accustomed to control suddenly has it stripped away. Morrissey explained his approach to playing such an unsympathetic character, stating, "I never want an audience to feel sympathy for me, but I always want them to feel empathy for me." He emphasized the importance of viewers considering, "What would it be like to be that person?" without falling into pity.
To Morrissey, Michael is a man who has constructed a cage around himself, finding it difficult to be challenged, especially by women. He has sacrificed so much for his career that he has become emotionally hollowed out. "He's not a man who's used to asking questions, answering questions; he's used to asking them," Morrissey continued. "He has no emotional intelligence, so he's constantly trying to regain the control he had before, which revolves around school routine and curriculum."
The Uncomfortable Dynamic
Annie Cassidy represents Michael's opposite. In the first episode, she demonstrates empathy to a fault, with Myles describing her character as someone who "will break the rules and keep doing what she thinks is right." Myles explained, "Annie's not going to go anywhere unless she's physically removed from that house. It doesn't matter what Michael throws at her. She's not going anywhere. She's going to do her best to find the truth of what happened."
A significant portion of the drama stems from the unusually uncomfortable dynamic between Michael and Annie. Morrissey attributed their on-screen chemistry to simply "playing the scene" and the guidance of director Richard Laxton, who encouraged them to explore ideas and play within each scene. Myles added, "These characters are incredibly uncomfortable with one another. We didn't want to shy away from that, but actually to lean into that and to see what happens." She expressed hope that audiences would find the series "intoxicating" and "addictive," compelling them to return for more.
The Central Mystery
The central question of the series remains: Did Michael have anything to do with his wife's disappearance? While avoiding spoilers, Morrissey plays the role with a degree of ambiguity, though he clarified his approach: "You don't play ambiguity. What you play is the character." He described Michael as someone out of his comfort zone, rigid in his ways, which inadvertently casts suspicion on himself. "He doesn't have the wherewithal to say, 'Can you help me out here?'" Morrissey noted. "He's been given a rule book from day one on how to be a Man, and he's going to stick with that. And it's always, always worked for him, until it suddenly doesn't work."
'Gone' is set to premiere on ITV1 on Sunday, March 8, and will be available for streaming on ITVX. The series promises to deliver a gripping narrative that explores complex characters and psychological depth, making it a standout addition to ITV's thriller lineup.
