Foyle's War

Character: Christopher Foyle
Actor: Michael Kitchen
Episode: All Episodes

Christopher Foyle is a steadfast, serious man - a grammar school boy who has risen through the ranks of the police force to become a respected detective chief superintendent. Although he had doubts at first about the value of his work solving domestic crime, he has come to realise that it is a much-needed part of the war effort. Since the death of his wife, Foyle has become somewhat solitary, not helped by the departure of his son, Andrew, a former Spitfire pilot now working away from home. Foyle enjoys fly-fishing, good malt whisky and knows the south coast intimately.

February, 2007; Publicity Release

Michael Kitchen is very proud of the attention to detail which goes into creating Foyle's War.

"Having the series set against the background of World War Two is a great idea and perhaps the most appealing aspect from my point of view.

And the research which is put in by Anthony Horowitz is excellent as is the extent to which each episode relates to actual events, incidents, circumstances and people.

"It would be good to have a prologue or introduction before each episode, as they did when the series first went out in the States.

A rather eminent historian spent a couple of minutes on camera explaining how that episode related to the period of war it's set in, what actual incidents have inspired it, along with various things to look out for during the course of the programme.

"I think it's a great shame something similar doesn't happen when the series is screened in the UK. It undeniably adds another level and depth to the programme."

Michael has worked closely with Foyle's War creator Anthony Horowitz to develop the character of the charismatic detective chief superintendent and his investigative style.

"Although Foyle is a policeman, one of the biggest things we worked on was to try and find a way of avoiding the orthodox question and answer route and find instead an alternative way of releasing whatever is necessary to the audience.

"Foyle is the result of Anthony's original scripts and whatever I bring to them by adding, rearranging or taking out - both of us concluding perhaps that less is more."

The new films are set in 1942 and 1943 and see Foyle fighting crime on the home front. Investigations include a suspicious death at a munitions factory, illegal gambling and murder at a secret research station where a new bomb is being developed.

The detective also tries to find time to indulge in his pleasures outside the job - malt whisky and fly fishing.

Although Michael sometimes does his own research into aspects of a story, these elements of his character did not require too much research.

"Malt whiskies have always appealed to me - Laphroaig is my favourite. I always loved the idea of fly fishing too, just never got around to it, but I saw the opportunity to introduce it into Foyle."

The success of the series, with sales to over 20 countries, means that Michael is well known around the world. But the actor prefers to avoid the spotlight by spending time at the home in Dorset that he shares with his wife and two sons.

"I enjoy having time with the kids and the family and doing the things we like to get up to. And I've been busy finishing the final stage to my house which is a great relief."

Since filming Foyle's War, Michael has been working on new three-part drama Mobile, a conspiracy thriller for ITV1 which unfolds against the backdrop of the Iraq war and the multi-billion pound mobile phone industry. Julie Graham, Keith Allen, Samantha Bond and John Thomson are among his co-stars.

His other television work includes Falling, Alibi, Lorna Doone, The Railway Children, Oliver Twist, Sunnyside Farm, Reckless, The Hanging Gale, Dirty Old Town, Dandelion Dead, The Justice Game and A&E.

His film roles include Proof of Life, The World is Not Enough, Goldeneye, Enchanted April, Russia House and Out of Africa and he has also worked extensively for the RSC and Royal National Theatre.

Michael also does voiceover work, including providing the narration for the series Faking It and numerous audio books, and his hobbies include playing tennis, sailing and DIY. He recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Village Education Project, a charity in Tanzania.

Michael is now preparing to film the sixth and final series of Foyle's War.

January, 2006; Publicity Release

Michael Kitchen is back on the right side of the law in Foyle's War. After a year which has seen him playing an evil handyman in TV thriller Falling, he's pleased to return to the role of Detective Chief Superintendent Foyle - a quiet but determined force for good in the dangers of wartime.

"Foyle's War is high quality work and I'm pleased it's so successful. It's difficult to say precisely why. Being set against the background of World War Two was always a great idea of Anthony Horowitz's and that was perhaps the most appealing aspect from my point of view when I was first approached.

"But I'd imagine there are all sorts of other elements that keep people watching - Honeysuckle being one!"

While Honeysuckle Weeks and Anthony Howell, who play Foyle's driver Sam and sergeant Milner, have returned to the stage since filming, Michael has enjoyed spending time at his home in Dorset.

"I haven't been as fortunate in this last half of the year as I have been in the past, with Alibi and Falling showing up in 2003 and 2004 after the Foyle's War schedule finished. The right thing didn't happen this year - or rather I think it possibly has but not in a sufficiently greenlit state to be shot before Christmas.

"I'm involved with quite a few things in the early stages that are very appealing but they won't happen until 2006 and I've kept busy enough on voice-overs. It's a blessing in disguise perhaps because I've been very busy on other things.

"I'm just finishing the final stage to my house which has been a long time coming and is a major relief, and I've been having a great time with the kids and the family and the things we like to get up to. I've also managed to get loads of stuff organised which simply doesn't get a look in when I'm away.

"So I'm feeling sorted, ready and able - which is good because the next series of Foyle's War has already begun. Anthony sent me a draft of the first episode in October and the second soon afterwards."

Michael's career spans film, television and theatre where he has worked extensively for the RSC and Royal National Theatre.

His many TV credits include Lorna Doone, The Railway Children, Oliver Twist, Sunnyside Farm, Reckless, The Hanging Gale, Dirty Old Town, Dandelion Dead, The Justice Game and A&E. Film roles include Proof of Life, The World is Not Enough, Goldeneye, Enchanted April, Russia House and Out of Africa.

He also does voiceover work, including providing the narration for the series Faking It and numerous audio books.

Michael lives in Dorset with his wife and two sons and his hobbies include playing tennis, sailing and DIY. He recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Village Education Project, a charity in Tanzania.

October, 2004; Publicity Release

Michael Kitchen is delighted with the success of Foyle's War, but he'd love to see the series get more recognition for the painstaking research that goes into creating it.

"One of the few disappointing things about the series in my opinion is that the extent of the research put in by Anthony Horowitz and the extent to which each episode relates to actual events, incidents, circumstances and people largely goes for nothing.

"When the series first went out in the States, for example, at the front of each episode a rather eminent historian spent a couple of minutes on camera explaining how that episode related to the period of war it's set in, what actual incidents have inspired it along with various things to look out for during the course of the programme.

"I think it's a great shame something similar doesn't happen when the series is screened in the UK. It undeniably adds another level and depth to the programme, not to mention the success this sort of prologue or introduction has had in the past - the Alfred Hitchcock series for example."

Michael worked closely with writer Anthony Horowitz to create the character of Christopher Foyle, a quiet yet driven detective given the task of fighting crime on the 'home front'.

"Foyle is the product of Anthony's original scripts and whatever I bring to them by adding, rearranging or taking out - both of us concluding perhaps that less is more.

"Some writers are very tight about what they've written and it can be restricting. Anthony was very easy, very loose and we worked to get a draft which was going to get the best out of me and which also flowed. Anthony and Jill Green are great to work with and seem happy to accommodate what I've suggested."

Michael carries out research when necessary into particularly episodes, but Foyle's loves outside the job - malt whisky and fly fishing - did not require too much research.

"Malt whiskies have always appealed to me - Laphroaig is my favourite. I'll also do Jack Daniels given half a chance. I fish more since my sons showed up; I always loved the idea of fly fishing, just never got round to it, but I saw the opportunity to introduce it into Foyle.

"Foyle's also a bad golfer. I think it's a wonderful game but it's very time consuming. My eldest and I play once a year and we've never had enough balls to get round."

Michael's career spans film, television and theatre where he has worked extensively for the RSC and Royal National Theatre.

His many television credits include Lorna Doone, The Railway Children, Oliver Twist, Sunnyside Farm, Reckless, The Hanging Gale, Dirty Old Town, Dandelion Dead, The Justice Game, A&E and Alibi. Proof of Life, The World is Not Enough, Goldeneye, Enchanted April, Russia House and Out of Africa are among his film roles.

He also does voiceover work, including providing the narration for the series Faking It. "I enjoy watching documentaries and Faking It is terrific as are other RDF shows and documentaries. I'm very pleased to be associated with them."

Michael lives in Dorset with his wife and two sons and his hobbies include playing tennis, sailing and DIY. He recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Village Education Project, a charity in Tanzania.

October, 2003; Publicity Release

Acclaimed actor Michael Kitchen was surprised and thrilled by the runaway success of Foyle's War.

"It was a great surprise that it went down as well as it did as quickly as it did. I think most of us thought it would get some of the right sort of attention, but to get that big an audience after just four episodes is quite something. It's difficult to say precisely why. Being set against the background of World War Two was always a great idea of Anthony Horowitz's and that was perhaps the most appealing aspect from my point of view when I was first approached. But I'd imagine there are all sorts of other elements that keep people watching - Honeysuckle being one."

Michael worked closely with writer Anthony Horowitz to create the character of Christopher Foyle, a quiet yet driven detective given the task of fighting crime on the 'home front'.

"Foyle is the product, I suppose, of Anthony's original scripts and whatever I bring to them by adding, rearranging or taking out - both of us concluding perhaps, that less is more. I sometimes do research myself too, into an aspect directly associated with a particular episode if I'm unclear about something."

Foyle's loves outside the job - malt whisky and fly fishing - did not require too much research, however.

"Malt whiskys have always appealed to me - Laphroaig is my favourite. I'll also do Jack Daniels given half a chance. I fish more since my sons showed up; I always loved the idea of fly fishing, just never got round to it, but I saw the opportunity to introduce it into Foyle. Anthony originally had him as an amateur water colourist and for one or two reasons fly fishing didn't seem at all a bad substitute, so I knew that if all else failed I'd come away with something. Results so far outside the show - one fishing trip, one brown trout."

Foyle's War features the crème of British actors, which is one of Michael's favourite elements of filming.

"One of the most pleasant aspects of the job is meeting up again with people I've not seen for years - Henry Goodman, Amanda Root, Nick Farrell, Ian Redford, Joanna David - all of them terrific actors and a great pleasure seeing them again."

Michael's career spans film, television and theatre where he has worked extensively for the RSC and Royal National Theatre. His many television credits include Lorna Doone, The Railway Children, Oliver Twist, Sunnyside Farm, Reckless, The Hanging Gale, Dirty Old Town, Dandelion Dead, The Justice Game, A&E and, most recently, Alibi.

Michael's film roles include Proof of Life, The World is Not Enough, Goldeneye, Enchanted April, Russia House and Out of Africa.

He says: "The first part of the year was very heavy for me; it involved making Alibi before starting this last Foyle's War series, so after a trip to Corfu I've taken on as little as possible to catch up with everything that's accumulated while my back has been turned. Voiceover stuff, including more Faking It, is as much as I've done and I've managed to say no to everything else."

September, 2002; Publicity Release

Creating the character of new TV detective Christopher Foyle in Foyle's War was a challenge Michael Kitchen was delighted to rise to.

"I was attached to quite a few projects when Foyle first came to me in its early drafts as The War Detective. Even then it was very high quality, always attractive, always going to be a strong contender and no great surprise when it was Greenlit.

"Jill Green and Anthony Horowitz were great to work with and seemed happy to accommodate what I suggested.

"Some writers are very tight about what they've written which can be restricting. Anthony was very easy, very loose and we worked to get a draft which was going to get, hopefully, the best out of me and towards a script which flowed."

A policeman like his father before him, Christopher Foyle is a steadfast and dedicated officer who has risen through the ranks to become Detective Chief Superintendent. But rather than resting on his laurels, Foyle wants a transfer out of the force.

As the film progresses, information about Foyle's own life starts to emerge. A widower since the death of his wife from typhoid five years earlier (in Eagle Day this is eight years - Fiona), he is somewhat introspective, but the loss has brought him closer to his son Andrew (Julian Ovenden).

"Hopefully the relationship with his son reveals a warmer side to Foyle," says Michael. "Hopefully too, a lot of unspoken stuff between them gives the whole family story a depth which will be looked at in later episodes."

Foyle is assisted in his work by driver Samantha Stewart (Honeysuckle Weeks) and police sergeant turned soldier Paul Milner (Anthony Howell).

"I believe there's a lot to be had in the future out of the relationship between Foyle and Sam. I'd hope there's a strong indication of this in the first film and that the difference in their relationship between their first meeting and the end is apparent.

"I was pleased to work with Honeysuckle again - we worked on a radio production of Bleak House together - but I'd never met Robert Hardy or Edward Fox before."

Describing the character of Foyle, Michael adds: "It's perhaps not a bad idea at this stage to leave as many open doors as possible. One of the biggest things was to try and find a way of avoiding the orthodox question and answer route and find instead an alternative way of releasing whatever is necessary to the audience."

Michael could soon find himself joining the roll call of famous TV detectives.

"I think there's great potential in Foyle's War and the character is open for development. Some of the crew I'd worked with before, such as David Odd, Claire Kenny, Ros Ebbut and Jon Best, but all of them and their departments are really clever people. I enjoyed doing it a great deal. Few jobs have had such a good feeling throughout," he says.

Michael's career spans film, television and theatre where he has worked extensively for the RSC and Royal National Theatre.

His many television credits include Lorna Doone, The Railway Children, Oliver Twist, Sunnyside Farm, Reckless, The Hanging Gale, Dirty Old Town, Dandelion Dead, The Justice Game and most recently, the role of Jack Turner in ITV1's A&E.

Michael's film roles include Proof of Life, The World is Not Enough, Goldeneye, Enchanted April, Russia House and Out of Africa.