COLLIDER: When this came your way, what got you most excited about it?
SHAUN PARKES: Steve McQueen adds credence.
Usually, Im not that bothered about what youve won.
Im not really worried about that.
Its more, “Do you care about this piece?”
Everyone cared, all the way down to us lowly actors who also cared.
Image via Amazon Studios
What did they care about?
What am I talking about?
Well, its a real story about real subject matter that really happened in London.
Image via Amazon Studios
The world doesnt really know London, as much as the world would say that it did.
And youre like, “Yeah, Londons a little bit more than that, mate.”
You realize that its not their fault, though, that they dont know.
Image via Amazon Studios
Right now, what have we got?
Weve got a real story that really happened.
Its one of those, “Really?
Did that happen?”
I like being a part of those productions.
I love being a part of something that actually happened.
Ive loved being a part of those things in the past.
There havent been many, but one or two.
The other thing that Ive noticed is that those things have a longevity.
Oh, he cares, as well.
This really does seem like its gonna be a good thing.
And the BBC are really going for it."
Having worked with him, how did he do it?
PARKES: Hes a creative.
How does he do it?
How did he do it?
I know they havent because Im aware.
Its not their fault.
Im not blaming anyone.
Its because we havent put anything out for anyones to see until now.
This is a start, hopefully, and long may it continue.
PARKES: Well, thats what it felt like.
What were talking about is abuse.
I know a few people who grew up abused, and it never goes away.
Theres a cost, emotionally and soulfully.
Its important to show that, as well as all the rah-rah-rah that people throw into the mix.
The real Frank pushed for an apology from the police that he never received.
Do you think that would have changed anything for him if he had gotten it?
The energy just gets dissipated slightly because we are human beings.
Yes, youre right about that."
It just seems like such an impossible mountain to climb.
PARKES: When youre abused, Im not altogether sure youre seeing the world from another perspective.
If you dont know what abuse is like, then you dont know what abuse is like.
We dont know what that means when we havent been abused.
I just zip it when it comes to those subject matters.
Ive spoken to people who were abused, and it means a lot to them.
You know you were wrong, so why not just apologize.
Whats wrong with that?
But they dont, and thats another debate, as to why they dont.
Small Axeinstallment “Mangrove” is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now.
New installments in theSmall Axeanthology will be released every Friday through December 18.
