One of the things I liked about playing Tony Gates in 'Line of Duty' was that I don't think he gave much thought to justifying his actions until he was under investigation.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The only other things, and again these things are hearsay, is that he could be pretty rough on directors, because he knew exactly the way he wanted to play the part. And he did so.
'Duty' is a refreshingly honest memoir and a moving one. Mr. Gates scrupulously identifies his flaws and mistakes: He waited too long, for example, for the military bureaucracy to fix critical supply issues like the drones needed in Iraq and took three years to replace a dysfunctional command structure in Afghanistan.
Any actor who judges his character is a fool - for every role you play you've got to absorb that character's motives and justifications.
I've worked on shows where the lead actor doesn't know their lines, doesn't care, and it affects everybody - the crew, the director, the other actors. It's definitely a responsibility.
I can see clearly now... that I was wrong in not acting more decisively and more forthrightly in dealing with Watergate.
It is almost impossible to imagine that any one could be so insensible to the high morality of Mr. Mill's character as to suggest to him any course of conduct that was not entirely upright and consistent.
When Steve Jobs died last week, there was a huge outcry, and that was very moving and justified.
I love the idea of playing a character that didn't over think everything. He knows what's in front of him and he has an ability to just say whatever he felt.
I learned one thing in Watergate: I was well-intentioned but rationalized illegal behavior. You cannot live your life other than walking in the truth. Your means are as important as your ends.
I was very conscious of the actor; watched what he did.