Meet the new boy on 'Primeval'

Here's the first look at Primeval's new addition, Captain Becker:



Played by newcomer Ben Mansfield, Becker is drafted in by Lester to help protect the team in the aftermath of Stephen's death. I caught up with Ben in the middle of filming the new series to find out more about the show's new military presence.

How did you get the role?
"I auditioned for another show, Merlin, and got down to the last two to play Arthur. The casting director was also casting Primeval and suggested I come in for this. I didn't expect to get it: I had long hair at the time, which isn't really a military look."

Not that there's anything wrong with long hair. This is your first role, isn't it?
"This is my first sort of long-term TV gig. It was a bit intimidating at first, but [the cast] have been really accommodating."

What's Captain Becker's background?
"He comes from a military family, went to military school, did some special operations and then got seconded to this mysterious outfit."

Is he in the field quite a lot?
"Yes, I'm now part of the team. I go everywhere and watch their backs. I shoot the dinosaurs... and Helen's minions!"

How does he get on with the others in the team?
"He's a bit perplexed with Connor - he sees him as this weird, geeky guy and they have a sort of amiable friction. When he and Cutter first meet, Cutter tells him 'I'm in charge' but Becker insists 'I'm just here to look after you'. They develop a working, professional relationship. He gets on with the others fine."

How do you think you'll cope with attention from female and male fans?
"That's fine with me but I'm not entirely sure that that's going to happen. I would find the idea very amusing."

Would you be happy being a pin-up? Topless shoots for Cosmo, maybe?
"I don't think they'd want to see me topless. Maybe after I went to the gym a bit more."

Finally, how do you feel about stepping into the shoes of the much-missed Captain Ryan?
"Those are difficult shoes to fill, I think. Hopefully I won't have a similar demise!"

The new series of Primeval begins on ITV1 early next year.

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