FAIR City’s Maclean Burke says his character Damien “should be a basket case” by now — after his on-screen sister is murdered.
Tonight’s episode confirmed that the body found in Carrigstown was that of Laura Halpin, and that she had been killed.
3
3
It is just the latest tragedy for Maclean’s character Damien Halpin in the show.
Macclean recalled: “His dad killed his mother. His dad jumped off a bridge. He had to raise his son like his brother and sister.
“He was married. The marriage ended because of spousal abuse by his wife.
“Then he had another relationship and had a baby and then they broke up.
“He’s been a bit of an eejit over the years as well, he’s played around.
“So I don’t know what’s next for him. But no doubt it will be another ‘Oh my Jaysus moment’.”
And the Dubliner said he doesn’t know how the character is still ok after it all.
He told The Irish Sun: “Damien should genuinely be a basket case at this stage. I think I can take a lot of solace in how he deals with life in general.”
Maclean told how Damo has a “long road ahead” hearing the shocking news of his sister’s murder.
But he said as an actor the storyline was just as much a shock for him as it was Damien.
Having graced our screens for nearly 20 years, the Dubliner has had plenty of surprises during table reads.
Maclean said: “I never for a moment thought I would be an elder lemon of a soap opera, it’s quite strange.
“I started when I was in my teens and now I’m in my late 40s which is quite weird.
“I’m playing this character for over a quarter of a century. It’s very strange, but it’s an enjoyable journey.
“You never know what’s going to happen from that point of view. It’s interesting to see how these stories play out, where they’re coming from and what angles they take.”
Hopeful returns
Working on the show for so long, he has seen his fair share of comings and goings.
But he has a few he would love to come back.
The dad–of-four said: “I would have to say I’d love to see my bestie Victor Burke, who plays Wayne, back. We’re pals for a hundred years. I always enjoy working with him.
“I’d love to get a chance to work with Tom Jordan (Charlie Kelly) one last time as well. But unfortunately, he’s left this planet for a better place.”
He added how he loves that the soap offers him normal hours so he can have time with his kids.
Family time
Macclean said: “Your downtime is great. Because on your downtime, you get to spend a lot of time with the kids. My kids have had me for their life, I’ve been around.”
While he gets the “best of it”, clocking out of set most days at 6.30pm, he admitted acting is not a career he would be recommending to his kids.
He said: “That’s not to say I wouldn’t support them, if it was a decision they wanted to make and really felt passionate about it.
“I think there are possibly easier ways to make a living, particularly in this day and age.”
3
