NSGs Billy Vitch caught up with Liverpool born actor Philip S McGuinness to talk about his life and career to date. Starring alongside some of Hollywood’s finest like Stephen Graham, Dakota Fanning, and Luke Evans in Shows and films like ‘The Alienist’ and ‘Being Keegan’. Philip is quickly becoming one of the most prolific and sought after actors to come out of Liverpool in recent years.

His latest work shows him as a scouse gangster in the BBC crime drama ‘The Responder’ alongside Martin Freeman.

“One of the most remarkable, believable, and talented actors to come out of the city this decade.”

NSG: Hi Philip and welcome, how have you been and what have you been up to today, and how’s that going?

PHILIP: Hey mate, I am good thank you. I have mainly been replying to all the lovely messages that I got about The Responder. So many people reached out to congratulate me, it was lovely. I am still going through them to make sure I didn’t miss anybody. How are you?

NSG: I love how you take the time to reply to everyone of your fans! we’re not too bad Philip thanks for asking mate. So let’s get right into it! To date you have been in some amazing TV shows and films like Being Keegan, The Alienist, Emmerdale, and recently BBC1s The Responder, An amazing CV! How did it all start for you, becoming an actor?

PHILIP: I remember exactly when it started. It’s quite a vivid memory I was in an English class with Miss Noble in early Lower Secondary School when we started doing a bit of Drama. There were 3 of us with school chairs pretending to be in car seats. As boys, everyone jumped to the most graphic idea (a car crash) and when we were performing there was a moment when I just thought “I can do this”. I had watched snippets of Cracker with Christopher Eccleston and Robbie Coltrane on TV and I just remembered bits of him and I just went for it. After the lesson, Miss Noble asked if I wanted to get involved in the Drama play for the end of year. It was ‘Bugsy Malone’. I went along to the auditions, tried at the accent, a few gangster walks, and got the part of ‘Knuckles’. I was really chuffed. One of the nights one of the actors didn’t come on for his cue and I had to improvise on stage. I just sort of went into acting mode and started improvising. I don’t know where it came from but after that, I wanted to make a career out of it. 

I joined a local Drama company and did loads of plays and supporting artist (extra work most people know it as) on Grange Hill and Hollyoaks. I was getting paychecks, which I laminated proudly and still have, and it was brilliant. I met lots of fantastic friends there.

I decided to pursue a Nursing Degree at University, after years of my Mum and me caring for my Nan but it was only when my Mum came in with a poster for a local community production called ‘Spirits of The Stone’ that I thought I should get back involved. I knew that I really harboured those ambitions and it was what I really wanted to do. 

It was the night after our last performance at The Liverpool Everyman and I was at Fazakerley Hospital looking out over the playing fields and I just thought to myself “If I want this, I have to change to make it happen”. My Mum, as always was so supportive and without her, I would have achieved nothing.

I graduated from University and wrote to so many agents, only one got back to me. I decided to do a PCET (PGCE) for post 16 year olds (because it really scared me and I felt I should do it) and learned to teach at South Sefton College, by a fantastic tutor called Paul. I offered an Acting job on virtually my last day of Teacher training so again I had to make a decision. I took the job and things seemed to snowball, slowly but they did move forward.  Bit of a long story but that’s how it started for me.

NSG: Sounds like you had to do it! So you’re originally from Liverpool? Where about did you grow up and what was it like?

PHILIP: I grew up in Kirkby and I loved it! It was great and still is. Full of brilliant people. Playing Football on Kirkby stadium most days till the sun had well set is how I spent most of my spare days. That was pretty much my life being a kid, it was just glorious and I would love to go back in time because it’s just joy.

When I got to around 18/19 I watched some things with Actor Stephen Graham in and found out he was from Kirkby, which was inspiring. Same as Andrew Schofield. I got on the train once and he was sitting close by, I kept staring at him and he must have thought I was a bit weird, but I was a bit starstruck. I was a Supporting Artist in a play at The Liverpool Everyman and I ran in the Stage Door a bit shaken telling the girl on reception who I had just seen and how great it was. Turns out it was her Dad! Bit embarrassing!

I was always in Liverpool City Centre rehearsing plays or just spending time in and around the place. I loved it, still do. It’s almost a nation in itself. It’s vibrant and strong and there’s nothing better than getting off the train at Lime Street Station and seeing the iconic buildings after being away, brilliant!

NSG: So you’ve just played a moody gangster called Ian in the BBC tv show The Responder alongside Martin Freeman that’s based in our wonderful city of Liverpool. What was it like actually filming in your home city? 

PHILIP: lovely! Filming abroad is absolutely stunning but filming at home was a bit special. Especially because it was set here with so many great scousers involved. It was magic. 

I also got to see places in Liverpool I didn’t know existed. The scene that we filmed in Episode 2 for the rave, that building was fantastic and I would never had known it was there, or when we filmed down by the docks, the view was brilliant late in the night. 

Some of my favourite bits were filming with the old van, that was a character in itself. I have never driven a car without power steering before (privileged) so it was a bit temperamental! There’s a scene where my face is so scrunched turning on the engine because it was hard to turn the key!

Philip as Ian in The Responder

NSG: We read on your Instagram that you modelled Ian’s costume on a cool retro photo of Everton FC’s Tom Davies, boss costume! Are you a blue then? Been an interesting few months hasn’t it?

PHILIP: Oh a massive Blue. Yes, it has. I always feel that you have to fully support whoever is leading the team. You’re supporting the club, not just the manager. Through thick and thin. I didn’t want Rafa to lose his job, I very rarely ever want anyone to, it’s their livelihoods and something he regardless of loyalty will have wanted to succeed at. He brought in some good players for us who worked hard and have talent, I am sad it didn’t work out. I do think however that Lampard is a better fit for us (hopefully). Out of all of our options, he is one that I wanted. I can see players and staff being attracted to the club to work with him and he has a reputation for working with youth, because of Chelsea’s transfer ban, and I think he gets what the fans want; Heart with a good mix of defensive/attacking Football. The most successful we have been in the last 15-20 years was with David Moyes into first year Martinez. It’s no surprise what Moyes is doing at West Ham, you can go through the team and replace like for like: Baines/Cresswell-Jagielka/Dawson-Fellaini/Soucek-Lanzini/Mirrallas-Antonia/Yakubu and that’s just a few. Moyes has a very clear identity and it’s something we have really been lacking since Martinez I think. I may not agree with everything Moyes did but growing up it was my Everton team and I don’t think it will top that. We need to recapture that never say die attitude with the magic that Bobby brought.

Newcastle wasn’t the best result but I am hoping that we can start to turn the corner now. The fans are right behind Lampard so hopefully, it’s a bright future and it’s going to be fantastic travelling down to Bramley Moore Dock for that first game.

I used to work at Everton for a few seasons. I used to escort the board of directors from their cars to the boardroom for match days. It was brilliant – I got a full roast dinner and got to watch the games, it wasn’t really a job! I am looking forward to getting back to Goodison soon.

NSG: If you’d not have become an actor what other job would you have done?

PHILIP: Well as a kid I wanted to be a train driver, one of my friends described me as a bit of Sheldon Cooper and he probably isn’t wrong. I don’t know what it was but I have always liked them. As I got older I went through school not really knowing what I wanted to do I loved School so thought about being a Teacher for a long time, until I really believed I could work as an Actor. I love behind the scenes film and tv too. I spend a bit too much money on Technology, always loved it. My house would be an ode to The Batman and Tony Stark in terms of tech if I could. I love how technology can improve our life, let us multitask and communicate across the world, although sometimes temperamental. So learning properly how to use cameras would have been interesting, but mostly likely as a Director. I have directed some small things of my own and that’s something I would like to go into when I learn more about it. I think I could possibly be more effective as a creative on the other side of the lens sometimes. I love cinema so that’s a big passion for me.

NSG: Do you have any advice for kids from inner cities who dream of becoming an actor?

PHILIP: I still don’t think there are enough opportunities for people from working class backgrounds, although TV is starting to slowly be more inclusive in their stories. There is so much talent in Liverpool and people deserve the chance to showcase it. I know it will be the same with so many other regions too.

Firstly I think it may be harder than being from more privileged areas as it’s costly; Headshots, Showreels, Classes/Drama School, Spotlight are all in the main before you start to work as an Actor. 

I always had a drive that I inherited from my Mum. She has always gives the extra mile and it stuck with me. Sometimes things that limit us can just be ourselves, the amount of effort that we put into things. 

Financially it can be very difficult to be free for auditions or opportunities. My Mum and Partner have been amazing, I am not sure what it would have been like for me without them and I don’t think I could have done it. I would advise looking for jobs that allow flexibility. But you have to have a range of different things that can bring in money.

When I am not Acting I try to work as much as possible because you don’t know when the next job is going to come. I try to think ahead that I would rather work now and have myself covered if something comes up next week.

I think belief is key. If you believe you can do something you are more likely to succeed than if you don’t. Belief can be a difference if only a 5-10% difference or a 50% difference – you may as well have it. I would however also try to be realistic. What skills do you have? Do you have access to a camera phone, any quality it doesn’t matter. Write something or learn a small monologue. Record yourself. What do you think? Show it to people who may have some experience to get some feedback. Youtube has proved you can make a successful career that is for and run by yourself. I love that. You don’t need permission from anyone to create your own work.

See if there are any local Drama clubs you could join. If you have access to the internet there are so many brilliant videos. Actors roundtable is great. Watch TV, watch how they are making things. What are the actors doing with their voice and facial expressions to convey character or move the story along? The key that every actor wants to get to is to ‘Not Act’ (I’ll let you know if I get there). Try to learn from everything by being analytical.

In terms of going for an Agent, Agent’s will want to see you act so having something recorded is key, that’s why recording something on a phone can be great. Always film in Landscape not Portrait and don’t film against a window, a plain background, and make sure your well-lit so they can see your face and minimise any noise in the background. That’s it.

To summarise  I would say work hard but also SMART, learn to prioritise, money management is valuable and thinking ahead is key, analyse what you see on TV or even on the street (that’s where you will find all of your best characters). 

It’s important to remember that resilience is key. Most Actors hear ‘No’ more than ‘Yes’ for jobs. Having other things outside acting to focus energy on too is really important. Life is about variety.

NSG: You’ve worked alongside some true Hollywood greats like fellow scouser Stephen Graham in ‘Being Keegan’ and Dakota Fanning with Luke Evans in ‘The Alienist’. A dream come true I bet? What was that like?

PHILIP: Oh, to film in Budapest for The Alienist was stunning. The set was just huge! It was like going to Universal Studios to film. One of the moments that really stuck with me was filming with Daniel Bruhl, he was great. We shared a lovely scene in the back of the smallest carriage (I am 6ft 4) and on my final day of filming, he came over to me directly and shook my hand. That really showed me that he was a leader of this team and the responsibility and power of being a leading man. 

They were all so lovely too. My first scene filming was with Luke and Dakota, they are trying to escape and I almost catch them in an alley. Luke said to me “God you are terrifying” and that was a really lovely comment that boosted me up to keep giving it my best. I brought over some vegan sweets so we all just sat in the tent at 2 am waiting to go on nibbling some Percy Pigs. Life was good! It will always be one of my very best memories.

Stephen Graham was great too. We were filming close to Anfield and all of the schoolchildren in the local already were finishing for the day. It didn’t take long for them to see who it was. After we wrapped he took photos or signed things for them. It was really lovely. A brilliant experience, I am very grateful to Steph (Director) for having me on it.

Philip as Fat Jack in The Alienist

NSG: As an actor do you have anyone you feel influenced you? Like other actors?

PHILIP: Growing up Christopher Eccleston was a massive inspiration. I saw him in a programme called “Let Him Have It” in a year 8 Drama class and it stuck with me. I thought he was a tremendous actor and probably subconsciously saw a resemblance to myself in some way (appearance, not acting ability!). Chris has a particular look and being Northern was great. I really connected with him and guess I maybe saw that because I looked a bit like him, maybe I could do it too. He then went on to become The Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’ so I decided to watch it to see what it was all about. Since then that role has been a big ambition for me.

NSG: As we cover a lot of music in the magazine it would only be fair to ask you who’s on your personal playlist and who your favourite artists and bands are?

PHILIP: Oh I have a wide interest in different types of music. Depends what type of mood I am in. I am a big lover of Michael Jackson, the hits and performance style is second to none for me. I love Robbie Williams, Take That, Jason Derulo, and Ed Sheeran. I think no matter how many awards Ed wins I am not sure it’s enough. He is just incredibly talented and continues to make hit after hit. 

I know that is quite a mainstream, maybe vanilla, style of music for some people but I also love 80’s Music, there’s something quite romantic about the 80’s/early ’90s. Maybe they just had all the best soundtracks to top films when I was growing up. I like a bit of Tom Jones and Tina Turner too. Two of my uncles loved each artist respectively and it brings back great memories during childhood.

NSG: How is the rest of 2022 looking for you?

PHILIP: I have a really small part in a big film coming out soon (hopefully I haven’t been cut). I will be one of the first people in the cinema to see it. I’m a massive fan of the film and it’s a bit of a dream come true. To work with the Director as well I was a bit star struck trying to play it cool. He was super lovely.

NSG:  Ok fun question, If you could sit down for dinner with three famous people from the past or present who would they be and why? 

PHILIP: Michael Jackson to learn some moves, I never mastered the Moonwalk. Heath Ledger/Christian Bale combo because they are just mesmerising actors. Finally, my Nan because she was my role model and we miss her every day. 

NSG: Thank you for your time, Philip, from us all at NSG we wish you all the best in the future and look forward to seeing more of you on our screens.

PHILIP: Thank you for having me and I hope you enjoyed The Responder as much as we all did making it. Hope you all have a lovely day x

To keep up with Philip give him a follow on Instagram on the link below.

Instagram

Website

The Responder is currently on BBC IPlayer.