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EastEnders' Danny Walters promises big drama for Keanu

Photo credit: Kieron McCarron / BBC
Photo credit: Kieron McCarron / BBC

From Digital Spy

EastEnders star Danny Walters is taking centre stage in one of the show's biggest storylines at the moment, as his character Keanu Taylor has been lured into a criminal world by Aidan Maguire.

Keanu was one of the guys who took part in Aidan's botched heist on New Year's Day – and we'll see the hapless criminals come face-to-face again next week when they all come out of hiding to discuss the missing money.

Digital Spy recently caught up with Danny for a chat about the ongoing plot, life at EastEnders and his nomination at the National Television Awards.

Keanu has been on our screens for seven months now. How have you found settling into EastEnders?

"I've said this so many times, but I have so much respect for actors who work in soaps, because it is a well-oiled machine. Every day that I'm doing this job, I'm learning from the other actors and the crew members.

"It's a job that keeps you on your toes so much. You feel that once you've done this job, you can go and do anything. It's really nice to be part of EastEnders."

Do you feel that the fan reaction to the Taylor family has changed as time has gone on?

"Definitely. When we first joined, we all understood that the family would be like Marmite. We knew that some people would like the Taylors and some people wouldn't.

"At first they were hard to warm to, but over time that changed. It wasn't until the storyline where Bernadette lost her baby that the viewers really warmed to the Taylors. They saw that they were human, they had hearts and they were real people. A lot of people felt for the Taylors after that."

Do you think it's important to have a working class family like the Taylors in EastEnders?

"100%, because why not address something that's only getting worse in real life? The unemployment rate is still high, the class pay gap is getting higher, so why not talk about that? Why not explore these themes that happen to real people out there?

"I think it's so good that they've included a family like this in EastEnders. It shows how versatile the show is, but also we're exploring storylines that are relevant to today."

Can you give us any hints on Keanu's future?

"I can and I can't – I wish I could say more! At the moment all I can talk about is what's on TV right now. There's more stuff to come with the aftermath of the New Year heist, where the guys are all questioning each other on who's got the money and the jewellery. It could be anyone, so tensions are running high and there's a lot of drama to come."

We expected the heist to be a really dark storyline, but the end result was quite humorous. Was that what you were all aiming for when you were filming it?

"I don't want to speak for the other actors, as I can only speak for myself, but I played it as very sincere, truthful and honest. As an actor, that's all you can do, then it's in the hands of the producers and the directors to mould it into what they want it to look like when they choose the shots.

"I think the way it came out was fantastic. There are some lines that came across very funny on screen, even though they weren't meant to be comedic! It was very sharp, witty and very funny to watch.

"I really enjoyed that whole heist storyline. It was very Guy Ritchie, Snatch, Lock Stock and it had that London gangster edge. It was a satire of a heist pretty much. It was very enjoyable to watch and very different from the Christmas episode which had come before it."

Would you like to explore a darker side to Keanu's character?

"Keanu does have a very edgy side to him. Under different circumstances, he will fend for himself and his family. So I think we will see an edgier side to Keanu's character at some point..."

Does Keanu's relationship with Ingrid have a future?

"I don't know as of yet. I think Keanu has got a lot of other pressures on his shoulders at the moment regarding the family, the heist, and not to mention getting a job. I think he's got a lot of other things to be worrying about first of all."

Since the Ben/Keanu speculation, some fans have wondered if Keanu would question his sexuality in the future. Would you be open to that if the writers went down that route?

"I can't speak for the writers, but as an actor we will play any storyline. That is our job – we're versatile, we're chameleons and we become other people, so we don't play ourselves. But it's a hard question to answer because it's all in the writers' hands."

Who from the cast would you like to work more with?

"I feel like I've worked with most people now, but everyone's so good that I'd love to do a round with them all again. But I haven't worked with the Masoods yet, so that'd be fun to explore in the future."

You're up for the Best Newcomer prize at the National Television Awards next week. How does it feel to be nominated?

"It feels amazing. I was so shocked and humbled to be nominated. I don't do the job for any awards or recognition like this – I do it because I enjoy what I do on a daily basis and I love the people I work with. But to be nominated alongside some fantastic talent is a real honour."

How would you feel if you did win and had to make a speech on live TV?

"It'd be nerve-wracking because there'd be so many people to thank, but I wouldn't want to be up there for too long and bore the audience, or the viewers watching at home! But there are a lot of people I'd have to thank, because without the people behind me and with me, this nomination wouldn't even be possible."

You can support your favourite Soaps and TV stars by voting on the National Television Awards website.


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