Lucas North
Lucas North | |
---|---|
Series 9, Episode 8" | |
Portrayed by | Richard Armitage |
In-universe information | |
Title | Chief of Section D[1] (before imprisonment, Series 9) Senior Case Officer, Section D (Series 7–9) |
Occupation | MI5 officer |
Spouse | Elizabeta Starkova (ex-wife) |
Nationality | English |
Lucas North, formerly known as John Bateman, is a fictional character from the
Lucas North is a main character in the seventh, eighth, and ninth series; the ninth series reveals that Lucas "isn't who you think he is." Following the creation of the character by the show's writers, Armitage was chosen early in the casting process, since the producers believed he could carry the mystery of the character. A tentative viewer of Spooks, he was approached for the role following the completion of the second series of
With regard to the show's notorious habit of killing off major characters, Armitage said he had no preference as to Lucas' possible exit. He has performed his own stunts on the series, which have included a waterboarding scene, although the character becomes less physical in the ninth series. The Lucas North character and his portrayal by Armitage met with unanimous praise from cast, crew, and reviewers.
Role in Spooks
Character arc
Born John Bateman,[2] the character later known as Lucas North was raised in rural Cumbria, where his father was a Methodist minister.[3] During his time at Leeds University he lived with Maya Lahan (Laila Rouass).[4] While enrolled at Leeds he visited Dakar, Senegal, where he engaged in shipping cannabis to Hamburg in exchange for money. When he was caught the authorities took the shipment and his money, stranding him in Dakar. To gain enough money to get back to the UK, he worked in a casino.[2] While working there John Bateman was approached by Vaughn Edwards (Iain Glen), who persuaded him to deliver packages for him. One of the packages delivered by Bateman was a bomb that exploded at a British Embassy, killing 17 people. To escape the country Bateman killed a friend of his named Lucas North. North had just made it past the first battery of tests for admission to MI5. Bateman assumed North's identity and left Maya behind. Bateman/North would later suppress these memories, believing that Vaughn was solely responsible for the bombing and for his friend's death.[2] He would later join MI5 in place of the real Lucas North[2] and become head of Section D. He was also once married to Elizabeta Starkova (Paloma Baeza).[5] During an operation in Russia, Lucas North was captured and imprisoned for eight years,[6] during which time he was often subjected to torture.[7][8]
In the seventh series,
In the fourth episode of the eighth series, Oleg Darshavin, who had been one of Lucas's interrogators in Russia, approaches him for help in stopping a planned bombing by
In the ninth series, Harry reinstates Lucas as chief of Section D; this makes Lucas responsible for the integration of two new team members into the section,
Characteristics and relationships
Eight years in a Russian prison has had a profound effect on him. His personality is divided between who he was before he was imprisoned, the prisoner, and the person he has become. He was once the best in his field, and now he is trying to regain his former brilliance.
— —Richard Armitage[18]
Lucas North appears to be a person divided between who he was prior to his incarceration and who he has become since.[18] Richard Armitage has described Lucas as "very ambiguous, but quite open with everybody" and "a bit of a double-edged sword, so he's not completely white. He's a bit of a dark horse."[19] He is also described as having "no knowledge of how damaged he is emotionally, until memories start to work their way to the surface." Following his release from prison, glimpses of him adjusting to the outside world—such as a scene in episode two in which Lucas lies on the floor rather than in a bed in order to sleep—reveal to the audience how much he is struggling, though he keeps it hidden from his teammates. Lucas also fights very hard to be accepted and to regain Harry's trust, but he does not always play by the rules.[18] In the series seven finale, Lucas admits to having blamed Harry for his ordeal.[10] However, in series nine, Lucas also believed he deserved being tortured, as penance for bombing the British Embassy in Dakar.[2]
Lucas is an admirer of English poet and painter
The eighth series sees the return of Oleg Darshavin, one of Lucas's former interrogators during his imprisonment.
Following Ros's death in the series eight finale, Lucas "sees the team's been slightly shattered by it" and responds by "trying to pull the team together and aiming to be a strong figure for Harry."[23] The ninth series reveals a dark secret in Lucas's past. Armitage said that Lucas "isn't quite who you think he is." It sees the introduction of a character named Maya, played by Laila Rouass, who is Lucas's old flame and possible first love; she is involved in Lucas's secret.[24] Lucas states that Maya means more to him than his job and reputation.[2] Vaughn would use Maya as a way of controlling him.[25] Armitage also revealed Lucas goes off the radar "quite a lot this series" and behaves "quite strangely."[24]
Conceptual history
Creation and casting
The character of Lucas North and his background was first revealed in March 2008, shortly after filming the seventh series began.[26] The producers wanted to create a new character to be a part of the team. They came up with a "new heroic figure" that they wanted to "put as much distance between [the] previous hero," Adam Carter. The producers focused on Richard Armitage early into the casting suggestions, because they felt he could carry the mystery of Lucas North.[27] Writer Neil Cross felt that Armitage would bring the entire tortured history of North on screen.[28]
The producers approached Armitage in November 2007, following the completion of the second series of
Development
To research for his role, Armitage read novels from authors including
Though interested, yet frustrated about the writing style and not knowing what is going to happen next, upon starting, Armitage was told by co-star Peter Firth to learn to run with it, as well as learn the lines and political jargon quickly. He also thought the scripts are "quite a workout for the brain."[33] Armitage was also coached on his "serious face" and the "Spooks lean" by Rupert Penry-Jones.[31] The numerous tattoos on Lucas's torso were actually transfers planted on Armitage, and took a couple of hours to apply.[30] However, he was often told not to move much, as they could rub off quite easily.[34] Armitage was also one of only two actors, along with Hermione Norris, who plays Ros Myers, who went to Moscow, Russia in the series' first overseas shoot in August 2008.[30][35]
When questioned regarding Spooks's notoriety of killing off main characters, and the chances of Lucas meeting his demise, Armitage stated;
To be honest I haven't thought about it too much. However, on judging the way characters tend to get killed off, I think when Lucas's time comes I'll welcome it. When Spooks characters are killed off, or disappear, it's usually the most memorable moment of the episode, or even series. There are moments in this series that take your breath away.
— Richard Armitage[18]
Armitage believes that when it is Lucas's turn to leave the series, he would "leave in style,"[24] and has no preference how he would exit, whether "sending Lucas to Manchester or severing his head," he believes the producers would owe him a "brilliant exit."[36] In an interview with Lorraine Kelly on GMTV in May 2010, Armitage revealed that in the ninth series, "[Lucas] is not who you thought he was. He's not who I thought he was." He admitted to being surprised at the development while reading the script.[37] With the series theme being "deception", Armitage felt that playing another side of Lucas was "interesting," "quite exciting to play" and like "working in reverse because we've already established his background and then we've had to go and establish a much deeper background."[25] Writers Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent (both head writers of the ninth series, having written five of the episodes) made the decision about Lucas' story-arc in the series during the initial meetings with the producers. Throughout the process of developing Lucas' arc, they worked through "a bazillion different versions." For example, in the series finale, they considered that Lucas would release the Albany weapon on the Grid. Both writers admitted that they were "not-half" concerned with possible negative reactions from fans of both Armitage and the character.[38] In September 2011, co-star Peter Firth confirmed Lucas was killed off in the ninth series finale. He stated that the character "was always going to die." At some point the producers considered having Harry shoot him at the top of the building where he would fall to his death. However, this changed to have Lucas just jumping off the building instead.[17]
Stunt work and on-screen violence
Armitage performs his own stunts.
In a flashback sequence in one of his early episodes, Lucas is subjected to waterboarding, a method of psychological torture. In order to ensure the authenticity of the sequence, Armitage was himself subjected to the actual torture while shooting. He agreed to perform the sequence after he was convinced by consultants for the FSB and CIA. Armitage was only subjected to it for a short time, and was filmed in slow motion to make it appear he was on for longer. The ambient temperature of the room was also raised to make him as comfortable as possible. However, after the sequence was shot, Armitage changed his opinion entirely, stating; "I only lasted five to ten seconds, and the sound of my voice crying out to stop isn't me acting."[41] Armitage shot more interrogation scenes during production of the eighth series, but only some were added into the episodes.[21] He was "less physical" in the ninth series.[42]
Reception
The reaction towards the character and Armitage's portrayal were met with unanimous praise. In a viewer poll on their favourite character played by Armitage on RichardArmitageNet, Lucas North was voted third behind Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and winner John Thornton in
John Beresford of TV Scoop thought the acting of the cast in the beginning of the seventh series, including Armitage's was "pitch perfect", and noted he "looks and sounds like he's been here all along, already, and having only seen him briefly in Robin Hood I've been quite astonished by how good he is in this."
Critics reacted positively towards Lucas' development in the ninth series. Metro's Keith Watson said that the scene had a "touch of Don Draper about it," one of the factors that "Spooks has still got its hooks in."[48] Catherine Gee of The Daily Telegraph reflected on the "dramatically provided" twist, stated "just as we were finally beginning to trust him."[49] Vicky Frost of The Guardian stated that Spooks was "looking a bit lacklustre," but now "seems to have raised its game" because of several developments for series nine, including the closing scenes involving Lucas and Vaughn, and his relationship with Dimitri Levendis.[50]
References
- ^ a b "Network TV BBC Week 38 Spooks feature". BBC Press Office. BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g Edward Hall (director); Anthony Neilson (writer) (1 November 2010). "Episode 7". Spooks. Series 9. Episode 7. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b Edward Hall (director); David Farr (writer) (24 November 2008). "Accidental Discovery". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 6. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Michael Caton Jones (director); David Farr (writer) (27 September 2010). "Episode 2". Spooks. Series 9. Episode 2. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b c d e Colm McCarthy (director); Neil Cross & Ben Richards (writer) (28 October 2008). "Split Loyalties". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 2. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b c Colm McCarthy (director); Neil Cross & Ben Richards (writer) (27 October 2008). "New Allegiances". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 1. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b Peter Hoar (director); Russell Lewis & Ben Richards (writer) (3 November 2008). "The Tip-Off". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 3. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b c d Sam Miller (director); David Farr (writer) (25 November 2009). "Episode 4". Spooks. Series 8. Episode 4. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Sam Miller (director); James Moran & Christian Spurrier (writer) (1 December 2008). "The Mole". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 7. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b Sam Miller (director); Neil Cross (writer) (8 December 2008). "Nuclear Strike". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 8. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b Alrick Riley (director); Zinney Harris & Ben Richards (story); Ben Richards (teleplay) (11 November 2009). "Episode 2". Spooks. Series 8. Episode 2. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Edward Hall (director); Dennis Kelly (writer) (9 December 2009). "Episode 6". Spooks. Series 8. Episode 6. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Alrick Riley (director); Ben Richards (writer) (23 December 2009). "Episode 8". Spooks. Series 8. Episode 8. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Paul Whittington (director); Jonathan Brackley & Sam Vincent (writers) (11 October 2010). "Episode 4". Spooks. Series 9. Episode 4. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Julian Holmes (director); Jonathan Brackley & Sam Vincent (writers) (25 October 2010). "Episode 6". Spooks. Series 9. Episode 6. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ Edward Hall (director); Jonathan Brackley & Sam Vincent (writers) (8 November 2010). "Episode 8". Spooks. Series 9. Episode 8. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b Wightman, Catriona (13 September 2011). "'Spooks' Peter Firth interview: 'They won't kill Harry off'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- ^ British Sky Broadcasting. 27 October 2008. Archived from the originalon 16 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d Cronin, Frances (27 October 2008). "Spooks new boy plays jailed agent". Newsbeat, BBC Radio 1. BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ Peter Hoar (director); Richard McBrien (writer) (10 November 2008). "A Chance for Peace". Spooks. Series 7. Episode 4. BBC. BBC One.
- ^ a b c d Arnopp, Jason (25 September 2009). "Spy Games". Film Star Magazine.
- ^ "Love will push Lucas to the edge". Woman Magazine. October 2009.
- ^ Hollingswood, David (14 September 2010). "Agents of change". TVTimes: 17.
- ^ a b c Wightman, Catriona (5 May 2010). "TV – Interview – Richard Armitage ('Strike Back')". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ a b Wightman, Catriona (14 September 2010). "TV – Interview – Richard Armitage ('Spooks')". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ a b "From Sherwood Forest to Thames House ... Richard Armitage joins the cast of hit BBC One drama Spooks". BBC Press Office. BBC. 17 March 2008. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ Swinden, Katie (2009). Spooks: Making of Documentary (Spooks DVD (Series 7)). Contender Entertainment Group.
- ^ Cross, Neil (2009). Spooks: Making of Documentary (Spooks DVD (Series 7)). Contender Entertainment Group.
- ^ a b "Richard Armitage: Joining the secret world of Spooks". Bromsgrove Advertiser. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ BBC Magazines: 10–12.
- ^ Metro. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ a b c Wylie, Ian (14 October 2008). "Time to get spooked, again". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ a b Hendry, Steve (24 October 2010). "I rarely turn down work after years of struggling, says Spooks star Richard Armitage". Daily Record. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ Wylie, Ian (29 October 2009). "Spooks: Richard Armitage". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ Swinden, Katie (2009). Spooks in Russia (Spooks DVD (Series 7)). Contender Entertainment Group.
- ^ Jeffery, Morgan (28 June 2010). "Cult – News – 'Spooks' star confirms character exit". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ Armitage, Richard; Kelly, Lorraine (4 May 2010). GMTV with Lorraine. London, United Kingdom.
- ^ Martin, Will (7 March 2011). "Sam Vincent & Jonathan Brackley (Spooks) interview". Cult Box. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ a b "Spooking us out again". Star Magazine. October 2009.
- ^ Spooks: Chase Sequence (Spooks DVD (Series 7)). Contender Entertainment Group. 2009.
- News Corporation. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ Wightman, Catriona (20 April 2010). "'Spooks' Lucas 'will be less physical'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 August 2010.
- ^ "Which of these is your favourite RA character?". RichardArmitageNet. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ^ Beresford, John (29 October 2008). "TV Review: Spooks, BBC One, Tuesday 28 October, 9pm". TV Scoop. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (2 December 2008). "Spooks: is this the best series yet?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ Blackwell, David (2 February 2010). "DVD Review: MI-5 Season 7". Retrieved 14 October 2010.
- ^ Bazley, Lewis (27 September 2010). "Spooks Episode 2: TV Review". Metro. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ Watson, Keith (20 September 2010). "Spooks' slick, if slightly implausible, action gives the show its edge". Metro. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ Gee, Catherine (20 September 2010). "Spooks, BBC One, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^ Frost, Vicky (20 September 2010). "Spooks: series nine, episode one". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
External links