Interview with Joshua McCord who plays Timber in The Cleaner season 2

(Image: BBC/Studio Hamburg UK/Jonathan Browning)

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Can you tell us a bit about your character and what attracted you to the role?

Timber works with his older brother Richard (Mark Lewis Jones) for the family run undertakers business and it’s definitely a job he has fallen into, and he has literally fallen most of his life... hence the name Timber. He’s more hapless than helpful and probably the last person you would want to be in-charge of your or a loved ones body “on their final earthly journey” let’s just say he’s not the sharpest tool in the box.

I loved the script when I read it and the way that Timber is infantilised by his brother and tries to assert himself. He’s submissive and constantly trying to prove himself but never getting it quite right, but there’s something tragic and dark about him. I love playing low status characters with an underlying high status desperate to come out and I loved the dynamic between the two brothers, any opportunity to play a role where I can be gormless, not care about what I look like and have fun, I’m there. I was also a huge fan of the show, basically after reading the script I really wanted to do it.

What was it like working alongside Greg?

AWFUL. He’s a nasty piece of work. He’s lovely. I had such a great time, it can be quite daunting when your acting with the person that’s written the script but Greg was incredibly generous and supportive and of course funny, so he really put me at ease.

Do you have a favourite moment from filming your episode?

I really had a brilliant time, it’s hard to think of a specific moment. I loved working with and getting to know everyone. It was really hard trying not to corpse in scenes with Mark and Greg, they’re both very funny on and off camera. Trying to hold back laughter when filming is the worst but best feeling. But you don’t want to mess up a take for the crew. Mark had a line in a scene that nearly got me every time, the camera was on me for a take and I had to pinch my leg at one stage, so I guess it’s a worst and best moment all at the same time.

How do you think you would fare as a crime-scene cleaner?

Oh I would be absolutely useless. I’m more of a Tidier than a cleaner and I’m pretty squeamish. I also have an awful gag reflex to bad smells... my toddler is potty training at the moment and cleaning up his crime scenes is just about as far as I can go...

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The Cleaner season 2 starts Friday 24th March 2023 at 9:30pm on BBC One.

Source BBC One

March 24, 2023 5:00am ET by BBC One  

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