“Romantic lead”. Two words Dave Johns never thought would be associated with his name. But since starring in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake – and winning a BAFTA for it – everything’s changed. And in his latest film, 23 Walks, he finds romance calling when he and Alison Steadman meet while walking their dogs.
Not that an attraction is apparent – quite the contrary – but as the two get to know each other over a series of months, a friendship develops which could turn into something more. Except that putting previous relationships behind them – his wife has passed away and her second husband has left her for another woman – prove difficult for the two. And when their personal circumstances start to change as well, the chances of them being together look increasingly slim.
In this exclusive interview, Johns talks about working alongside Alison Steadman – including those romantic moments – and the scene in 23 Walks when he thought he was back on the set of I, Daniel Blake. He also looks forward to the prospect of the cast of Fisherman’s Friends getting back together next year to film the sequel.
23 Walks is released in cinemas on Friday, 25 September.
