'Spooks' Romance Unscripted, Says Peter Firth

Spooks

First Posted: 13/09/11 12:22 Updated: 13/11/11 10:12

PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Spooks star Peter Firth has revealed the romance between his character Harry and colleague Ruth was not scripted.

The 57-year-old actor revealed he and co-star Nicola Walker improvised their character's flirtation, inspiring the writers of the hit BBC spy show to write a relationship between them.

Firth told the Radio Times: "The romance was never scripted.

"It was her and I flirting in takes, holding looks too long, lingering over lines. The writers picked up on that and it just grew from there. Nicola Walker, who plays Ruth, is a bit unpredictable - you never know what she's going to do - but she's an utter joy to play alongside."

The new series of Spooks will be the last, but Firth is pleased they are ending on a high.

He said: "The swansong feeling has been there a couple of years and it's better to go out on a high. Few shows run for 10 years and if you learn from your mistakes and not make them the next year, but make some different ones and learn from them, then you build and build."

But as for whether Harry and Ruth will have a happy ending, Firth isn't giving anything away.

He said: "This series is a six-act Greek tragedy with a profoundly tragic ending. But there's an optimistic note to tell you that the fight isn't over."

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PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Spooks star Peter Firth has revealed the romance between his character Harry and colleague Ruth was not scripted. The 57-year-old actor revealed he and co-star Nicola Walker im...
PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Spooks star Peter Firth has revealed the romance between his character Harry and colleague Ruth was not scripted. The 57-year-old actor revealed he and co-star Nicola Walker im...
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05:07 on 14/09/2011
this series is among the finest tv has ever had. several characters died too early, so i hope through flashback, we can spend more time with our favorites, like adam, ros, connie, malcolm, jo and ben.
it's very thought provoking. i loved every time they got the rich ass royally.
there's nothing sexier than a man with a brain, who still takes a moment to smile, while he slips the macguffin under you before you know it. tariq has that quality, as did adam, ben, connie, and ros.
tobias menzies' character should have stayed around with ros, she had that indefinable quality of comedy and gravitas. remember her line with adam in bed about morning afternoon and evening?
connie and harry should have a ireland flashback, knocking back the alcohol while keeping her hand on the pulse of what's actually happening. they deftly portray a long term relationship so unlike any other.
ben should have a flashback with jo- they were so hot and believable, you prayed they got out together. bad connie. but so good.
so tariq, when can you come back to sf? you want to go play with toys in silicon valley, and meet me at the arboretum in santa cruz after the nude beach, to see celery pine and silver trees. will i ever get to the bottom of you? surprise me with your naked dance to the barbie song- that was hilarious. my scones await.
08:13 on 14/09/2011
Did MI5 nick your shift key?

Good grief! It was rather hard work reading your post!