Jamie Bamber has said “nothing gives me more of a buzz than realising I’m working for the BBC”, adding: “It’s a tragedy to me that we don’t appreciate it.”
The 53-year-old rose to fame in sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica, and has since appeared in shows across British and American television such as NCIS, Law & Order: UK, Beyond Paradise and Band Of Brothers.
It was recently revealed that Bamber is headed to Albert Square for his role as Ned in long-running BBC soap EastEnders – a member of the new Hawkins family, who made their dramatic arrival earlier this week.
The BBC's 'Iconic Cornerstone'
Speaking during a Q&A with his fellow newcomers, including Marian McLoughlin and Patricia Potter, the TV star reflected on how it feels to work for “one of the iconic cornerstones of the BBC”.
Bamber said: “This is not something that I ever thought would be on my radar. This was completely not the plan. And yet, I’m back in London. There’s nothing that gives me more of a buzz than realising that I’m working for the BBC.”
“The BBC is under threat, as we all know,” Bamber added. It is currently undergoing its charter renewal process, which sets out the arrangements for the governance of the corporation as well as its editorial independence and public obligations. The broadcaster has faced controversy in recent years for many issues including its TV licence fee, which is its main method of funding. It rose to £180 annually earlier this year.
A Global Perspective on the BBC
Bamber continued: “Having lived all over the world, I’ve seen firsthand and I’ve felt firsthand the respect and the love that the rest of the globe have for the BBC. It’s a tragedy to me that we don’t appreciate it. So there’s that, and then I’m also working on one of the iconic cornerstones of the BBC.”
Bamber continued: “When the World Cup happened, I was sitting at home. I had no idea the halftime show in Britain was going to be a love letter to the BBC, and I just welled up.”
The actor, who has appeared in films including The Lair and Before I Sleep, said his love for the broadcaster “started in the Queen Vic”, referring to the fictional pub in Walford. He added: “I’ve done lots of things and all that, but this is genuinely totally different from anything else I’ve ever done. I never thought I’d be doing this. I couldn’t be prouder. I couldn’t be more excited.”
Joining the Hawkins Family
Recounting his love for the soap, the TV star cited watching its “very first episode” in 1985, and added: “I feel blessed to be working with these people at this particular moment in time on this set.”
Bamber joins the soap as a member of the Hawkins clan, who are the estranged relatives of Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), and joked that they are “refugees from Essex” who “wash up with nowhere to go”. The family consists of Nicola’s mother Rose – played by McLoughlin – and her sisters Gemma and Jodie, who are portrayed by Potter and Anna Constable, respectively. Bamber will star as Gemma’s husband Ned, and the couple will be joined on the Square by their son Ryder (Felix Uff).
He also teased “tension” between his character and sister-in-law Nicola, and added that Ned has “a bit of history” with Alfie Moon (Shane Richie), which will be revealed in the coming weeks. EastEnders is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
