THE name’s Compston, Martin Compston.
Martin says he’s channelling James Bond in his action-man era.
As well as returning as DI Steve Arnott in the seventh outing of the BBC’s Line Of Duty next year, Martin will also feature in detective drama Red Eye.
As I exclusively revealed, he will play the leading man in ITV’s second series of the hit thriller.
Ahead of the New Year’s Day launch for Red Eye, Martin said he felt like 007 in its fight scenes.
“I live for all that, getting a bump on the head, getting up and getting on with it,” he said.
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“There’s something between action and cut, you can completely switch off and believe it in that moment.
“So you can be James Bond, you can be the ultimate spy.”
Well there is a vacant 007 spot, Martin . . . He admits that at first glance he might not look like your archetypal hero.
“People probably would look at me in real life and go, ‘He’s not ex-SAS’, you know?” he continued.
“So when somebody gives you the chance to play it, it’s great fun.
“I was a big fan of Harrison Ford growing up.
“He can do these incredible stunts and it’s awe-inspiring.”
Describing his Red Eye fight sequences as “raw and brutal”, Martin even ended up with a black eye when sparring with director Kieron Hawkes.
Martin plays the head of embassy security, Clay Brody, who is tasked with solving a conspiracy alongside DS Hana Li (Jing Lusi ).
But the pair have beef because Brody once screwed over a former colleague.
As well as Lusi, other returning cast include Lesley Sharp as MI5 head Madeline Delaney and Jemma Moore as Hana’s half-sister, journalist Jess Li.
Watch the six-parter from New Year’s Day on ITV and STV.
JAMEELA GOES BACK TO SCHOOL
JAMEELA JAMIL has always been a class act – and now the teacher-turned-actress is going back to school.
The Good Place star plays Miss Melon in new BBC series Dexter Procter: The 10-Year-Old Doctor based on the book of the same name by doctor, Adam Kay.
Konnie Huq, Peter Serafinowicz and Sue Johnston also star in the two-parter.
Jameela said playing a rubbish tutor wasn’t much of a stretch. “I was a terrible teacher, much like Miss Melon,” she laughed.
“I was always disorganised and chaotic and I would bribe my students to learn with sweets. I was a popular teacher, but not a talented one!”
Watch the series on BBC iPlayer from December 1 and BBC One over Christmas.
ARE YOU GAME FOR A LAUGH?
FANS tired of the beautiful game turning ugly will think a new series that combines comedy and football is a win.
Comedians Taking Penalties kicks off tomorrow and sees a squad of funny folk step up to take a spot-kick.
Chloe Petts hosts as fellow comic Stuart Laws plays goalkeeper to stars including Nish Kumar, Harriet Kemsley, Lou Sanders and Rhys James.
Later in the run there is Sophie Duker, Olga Koch, Flo & Joan and Mathew Baynton.
The contenders face a series of funny footie challenges before a final penalty shootout.
Chloe said: “I came here to take names and kick balls, and I’m all outta names.”
The eight-parter comes from Graham Norton’s firm So Television and will air on YouTube. It could all get a bit Messi . . .
LENA DUNHAM’s Netflix rom-com Too Much, starring Megan Salter, will not return for a second series.
The US actress and writer said: “Part of the job is knowing when to park it.
“Who knows, maybe there will be a time down the line when it feels right to check in on them again.”
RUPERT PASSES ROLE RON
HARRY Potter star Rupert Grint says he has written to the youngster playing his movie character in the upcoming TV series.
The Ron Weasley actor penned a note to child star, Alastair Stout.
“It was really just wishing him all the best with it,” Rupert told the BBC.
“I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience.”
Seeing “a bit of family resemblance” between himself and Stout, Rupert says he is already a fan of the show.
“I think it’s great that it’s a whole new thing. It’s going to be its own thing, and I think that will be fun,” he added.
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry in the HBO series based on JK Rowling’s books, with Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.
AMANDA HOLDS ’EM UP
AMANDA HOLDEN is on a fraud-fighting mission.
The TV star has taken on a more serious role as she exposes scammers.
It’s a personal fight for Amanda, whose identity has been used by cons to extort money from people.
She was caught up in a romance fraud when someone impersonating her tried to get a vulnerable older man to sell his house and send them the money.
“I found this shocking and felt personally responsible for his wellbeing, so I tried to help the police in every way I could,” adds Amanda.
“Brilliantly, he saw sense – just in the nick of time.”
Amanda joins Scam interceptors for BBC’s Scam Safe Week special.
She even came face to face with a “Scamanda” – one of the tricksters pretending to be her.
“I gave them what for!” said the Britain’s Got Talent host.
Watch today from 2pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
VIEWERS ARE GLAD FOR IT
PEOPLE power proved crucial in getting Gladiators back on the box.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, has revealed the Saturday night favourite’s return – with new Gladiators, including Comet, – was down to a chat at her local shopping centre.
Speaking On The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, she said: “I remember speaking to this lovely woman in the shopping centre and I asked her what’s not on television at the moment that you’d like to see on TV.
“She said that she just wanted to watch something with her kids, they were under the age of ten.
“A week later the Gladiators pitch came in.
“I’m not saying I commissioned it because of that one woman, but it was very much in my mind.”
Thanks to that woman!
