Recently we decided to interview and write about people locally involved in other forms of art and not just music, we wanted to help support art on all levels, so today we bring you a very special interview with Liverpool actor and comedian Warren Donnelly.

Warren has had a long and illustrious career to date in film, theatre, pantomime, and tv but you’ll probably know him best for his role in Award-winning British Comedy Tv Series Shameless as the loveable scouse copper “Stan Waterman”.

NSG: Hi Warren and how do you do? Hows the beginning of this new year looking for you personally?

WD: Hello! I’m very well, thank you. It’s a new year and a new start, so I’m optimistic that a better year is ahead.

NSG: So being a music magazine most of our interviews have been with musicians, we love all arts though so we wanted to start providing a platform for these too, your actually our first Actor! Can I ask how and where your career began?  Was it something you’d wanted to do since childhood? 

WD: How it began – as a little boy I enjoyed drawing cartoon stories, reading books ( I flew through all the reading schemes at school) creating stories with my toys, and watching great kids TVs and films Around the age of ten, I joined the Everyman Youth Theatre for a few years, which was fantastic, then after school, I joined “Seconds Out Theatre Workshop” and I got to meet like-minded people and had the chance to be creative. Just the job after five years in an all-boys school that wasn’t really my cup of tea ( metalwork and woodwork – no thanks). And, at the theatre workshop, it was full of girls! There was no turning back!

NSG: You’ve had an extremely exciting career to date with roles in TV shows and films like Life on Mars, Shameless, and Our Eddy. I think your best known for playing scouse copper “Stan Waterman” in the British Comedy Series Shameless? Looking back I don’t think anyone could have predicted how big and iconic the show would become, you must have some fond memories of your time filming. Can you remember much about how you came to get the part and what was like being part of such a brilliant show?  

 WD: As time went on I continued acting and did a tour of a brilliant play “Gods Official ” ( probably the best thing I’ve done). From that, I got my agent and started getting better auditions, one of which was for Shameless. Over a period of about a week, and a couple of phone calls, I auditioned for the part of a debt collector, that didn’t work out, but they offered me the part of a policeman instead, originally for one episode. That turned into two, then three and a Christmas special, then a contract as a regular for the full series. Just like that. Now you never know if something will be a success, but it was immediately, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

NSG: You also have a long history in Pantomime? As an actor which do you prefer as an actor, stage or tv? Any shows you been in stand out to you as favorites? 

WD: I’ve been very lucky to do a wide variety of acting work ( any acting work is always welcome) but I do enjoy live theatre, it keeps you match fit and you can’t beat a live audience. And panto is some of the hardest work I’ve done – try doing three shows per day if you don’t believe me. Television is always great, and nicely paid, as is a film, but live is best for me.

 NSG: It must have been hard this Christmas not having any shows, how have you been dealing with the fall out of the pandemic and the limited work opportunities? 

WD: This pandemic has been tough on us all, and all industries and the arts are very much an industry, despite what some people think. So, I’ve just got on with it, managed to do a bit of stuff, and as an actor, you get used to a life that can be up and down and unpredictable. So onwards and upwards.

NSG: So I follow you on social media and iv noticed you love to cook,? From the dishes you post I see your really good too! Who taught you and what’s your favourite dish to make?

WD: I love cooking, never been taught but my parents always cooked, especially my dad, so I used to watch him, and I find it enjoyable and in a funny way therapeutic. It’s always nice to cook a meal for people. Favourite dishes? There’s lots, but I do enjoy a curry, with shin beef and lots of okra.

NSG: Right now the Arts industry is in tatters due to the pandemic. Do you have any thoughts on this and what are your concerns about the future as an actor within the UK and your own career?

WD: The future of my industry and the arts – I honestly think things will change for the better. Yes, it’s tough at the moment, but the arts are always needed to entertain, amuse, and reflect the world we live in. So, I’m positive for the year ahead.

NSG: Now I know we shouldn’t have favourites but who was your favorite person to work with out of the hole shameless cast?  

WD: Favourite – well, we were a team, and everyone worked hard to create some very good television, groundbreaking in its own way, and I’ve maintained friendships ever since. So, all of them!

NSG: How does 2021 look for you as an actor and on a personal level too? 

WD: Well it’s a new year, and I’m still here, so let’s see what the year brings. Work-wise, I’m always upbeat and positive and I’m sure something will turn up and I’ll keep going!

NSG: What do you think the meaning of life is?  

WD: The meaning of life? Maybe it’s just to live your life in the best way you can.

NSG: If you had the opportunity to cook for three famous people from history who would they be and why? 

WD: Frank Zappa, Charles Dickens, Jesus. I’d like a chat with Jesus about the so-called “Christians” who support Donald Trump. And can I cheat, and ask for Raquel Welch ( circa her role in “One Million Years BC”) to be there? Ahh..go on…

NSG: Thank you for giving us the chance to interview you, anything else you’d like to add?

WD: Better days ahead. Look after yourself and let’s look out for each other.