Irish actor Martin McCann has fast become one of the country’s most beloved acting talents, known for roles in films including sci-fi thriller The Survivalist and psychological drama Calibre, for which he won a BAFTA, alongside a slew of television acting credits. It’s his role as police officer Stevie Neil in Belfast-based drama Blue Lights, however, that has propelled McCann to new heights of popularity, marking not only a professional achievement, but one with personal significance.
In the highly anticipated third season, McCann is back on the familiar streets of the city he calls home. The actor grew up in the Falls Road, Divis Flats area of Belfast during Northern Ireland’s most troubled times and has a unique understanding of the complex history that has defined the area. Blue Lights’ success is a source of pride for him.
“This is my hometown and I think Belfast feels ownership of the series,” McCann says, speaking to SBS.
“They're very proud of it, and we've had nothing but positive response.”
L-R: Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff), Grace Ellis (Siân Brooke), Stevie Neill (Martin McCann) and Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin). Credit: Peter Marley / BBC / Gallagher Films / Two Cities
Though it’s clear that he has a special affection for the city, McCann is not the only member of the cast and crew who can call himself a local, making Blue Lights a truly homegrown affair.
“Most of the cast are from Northern Ireland, and the crew as well, so it’s a very Northern Ireland show that thankfully is being received and accepted outside of Northern Ireland as well.”
Blue Lights follows some of the newer recruits of the PSNI as they come up against the challenges facing cops on one of the country’s toughest beats. This is no ordinary police procedural, however, and in the new season, with their place on the Blackthorn Station team now secured, the personal lives of the officers are explored in greater depth. McCann believes it’s the people behind the uniform that keep audiences coming back for more.
“It's got all the ingredients for a really successful cop drama, but it also seems to have that something extra,” he said.
“It has managed to develop, I think, real characters with all their vulnerabilities and their strengths, but ultimately very normal, relatable people.”
McCann returns in the third season of the series as veteran officer Stevie Neil, who faces a new role that forces him to juggle the demands of police life and his budding relationship with fellow officer Grace (Siân Brooke). The chance to work more closely with Brooke was a particular joy for McCann in returning to season three.
“You’re only ever really as good as the actor you're playing off and I've been so blessed that I get to work every day with one of the UK's finest actresses in Siân Brooke,” he said.
“She's so clever. The stuff that she does is so nuanced. She's just really, really a phenomenal actress, and she does nothing but make me better as an actor.”
Siân Brooke and Martin McCann return in season 3 of 'Blue LIghts'. Credit: Two Cities / Peter Marley
Not only is Stevie learning to balance his personal life with increasing professional responsibilities, but McCann says there remains unresolved grief and fear that his character is forced to contend with as he continues to progress in the force.
“Stevie's very much happy in his comfort zone because he's afraid of bad things happening like they have in the past,” McCann explains.
“He wouldn't probably say that out loud, but I think he's afraid to rock the boat. We can't live like that, though. We can't live with our lives in such a small box in fear of the past repeating itself. It makes your world too small.”
Though the first two seasons of Blue Lights delved into the reality of crime in Belfast, touching on issues of sectarianism and division that remain an undercurrent in the city, McCann says the series’ third iteration explores new territory, as street-level criminals are given the backing of Belfast’s most powerful.
“Northern Ireland is ultimately just like every other place, and despite how it may seem, we do have similar crimes and criminals to every other place, including those exploiting the same vulnerable people,” he said.
“We delve into that a little bit more this season. I think that's probably what makes the series resonate so much, even beyond Northern Ireland, is this exploration of common themes and common issues.”
With a better understanding of Belfast than most, McCann understood the role of a police officer is far from straightforward, especially in a city where the authorities have had a complicated and controversial role to play. It was the camaraderie of the cast and the quality of the script that ensured spirits remained high, even during the most intense of scenes.
“As an actor, I like to do the work and go home and switch off. No matter what the scene, no matter how intense the scene, no matter how challenging, I can leave it on set,” he said.
“I would love to say it's really challenging and it's really deeply affecting, and I stay in character for days, but I really just try to stay true to the material in the moment, and imagine and feel what it would be like to be in these situations. I guess it helps when you're working alongside such a brilliant cast!”
McCann says "common themes and common issues" are part of why 'Blue Lights' has resonated around the world. Credit: Peter Marley / Two Cities
McCann’s start in acting was in local community theatre groups in Belfast, a cause that he continues to support, encouraging young Irish actors to find their place on the global stage.
“There's been an influx of great content from Northern Ireland, like Derry Girls and Game of Thrones,” McCann says. “I think people are starting to hear a little bit about Northern Ireland, but for better reasons than what they had in the past.”
Blue Lights has itself been an opportunity for younger Irish actors in the cast to learn from and work with more experienced colleagues like McCann, with previously unknown talent becoming a core part of the series’ success.
“From season one to season three shooting Blue Lights, I've actually seen people improve so much at the job and really find their feet,” McCann shares. “This has not just been a profession and a long-running job for people, but it's been like a school. Three years in, everybody's just upped their game, especially the younger cast.”
With plenty of change on the cards for season three, and a more complex and menacing enemy emerging in the city, McCann hopes audiences continue to connect with Blue Lights and find the little moments of optimism that permeate the series.
"Just like the city of Belfast, no matter what the situation and no matter what is in the past, there's a way to grow and to move on,” he said.
“You can use your past and what you’ve been through to become better and, just like Belfast, learn from it and become stronger.”
All three seasons of Blue Lights are streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Blue Lights
series • Crime drama
MA15+
series • Crime drama
MA15+
MORE GREAT DRAMAS TO DISCOVER AT SBS ON DEMAND
'Malpractice' is the ultimate what-would-you-do hospital drama
Share
