Michael Obiora

Interview by Carl Marsh - May 2014

Hi Michael,
you are an actor that many people and I really admire, it is very pleasing to know that you have a passion, like myself, in wanting more people to read than currently do. What would you like to say about why this is important?

Hello mate, that's very kind of you to say so, thank you. I've always been into reading. I remember when I was about five years old and being in the infants' section of primary school, I was flicking through a book asked the teacher why there weren't any words in it. She couldn't believe it! But I was genuinely shocked myself - as soon as I learnt to read I couldn't understand why books wouldn't have words in them. Of course it was some sort of childrens' picture book but for some reason reading became quite natural to me from a very young age. I can't pinpoint exactly why - it's not as simple as my parent's always read to me when I was little. In fact, thinking back to it, they did not. I just liked words. By the time I was sixteen I was a regular reader, and it was only when I finished books and wanted to talk to my friends about them that I realised that reading wasn't necessarily a common thing amongst my age group. And this is something that probably becomes a habit - just not being into books since it's never been a natural pastime for certain people. So I think it would be nice to break that cycle early. The world is faster than it's ever been, and people don't always have time, but with kindles and other eReaders it's never been easier to carry a whole library with you. And it doesn't have to be a certain type of book, I don't believe in snobbery at all - it's very unhelpful. As long as people are reading - especially kids, then that's great.

Reading is something I like to do everyday, and I know you have told me you read, a lot. What are you reading at the moment?

I've just finished reading Ash Wednesday by the actor Ethan Hawke. It's from 2002 and it's the second fictional novel he wrote. The first was The Hottest State. The reason why I checked both books out is because I was interested in other actor/writers. I've also just finished the epic The Art of War! I'm currently reading The Buddha in Daily Life by Richard Causton. Next on my shelf is Dear Dad by Ky-Mani Marley (Bob Marley's son) and the next fiction book I'm going to read is Salman Rushdie's Fury.

What is your favourite book, and why is that?

That's easy - The Devil's Double by Latif Yahia. It's a non-fiction account of a man who was forced to be Uday Hussein's (Sadaam's son) fiday. Fiday means "double." There was a film version starring Dominic Cooper a couple of years ago. I preferred the book but I'm not precious about those things - as in it doesn't bother me if a film version of a book is made. Even if it's not as good - it's not as if the book will suddenly evaporate! I can just go back and read it again. And also, it's great that more people became aware of the story since a film version was made. Man, I could go on! Malcolm Gladwell is my favourite writer - though it's more his way of thinking than necessarily his writing. And from a fiction point of view, last month I read John Lanchester's Capital and it's the best work of fiction I've read for a while. It was brought to my attention by the editor of my forthcoming novel, Vivian's Couch. He told me there was a similar style. This annoyed me at first! But having now read it, although they are quite different stories, I can see what he means, and I take it as a huge compliment.

Apart from being an actor in successful series as Hotel Babylon and Casualty, you are also a writer. Your first book was called Black Shoes. You published that a few years ago, and you are still not even 30! Are you planning on writing more books, if so, do you have a story idea already chosen?

Yep, I guess my above rant has part answered this - my second novel, Vivian's Couch, will be out in October this year (2014). It's a prequel to Black Shoes, and all the characters are connected by a therapist called Vivian - hence the couch! I'm only 27 years old but at the same time I started working as an actor at the age of 9, and my first book came out when I was 22. So there's actually a part of me that's not happy with my "output," or the even where I'm at in my career as an actor. Before anyone dares say I'm ungrateful I'll say that as far as I'm concerned, being grateful is always working hard and not resting on past achievements. I definitely do realise that it is important to try to live in the moment, not be too hard on yourself, and sometimes give yourself a pat on the back. There is so much more I want to do, though.

Still on the writing theme of questions, would you want to be known as a writer first, or as an actor, say in ten years time?

A few years ago I would have definitely said "actor." But now I couldn't 100% say which I would prefer. I think I'm a better actor than I am writer because I've been doing it longer. And I like the collaborative effort performing takes - doing a scene with the help of a director, etc. Then I remember the fact that without words, there would be no acting - unless you want a career in mime! Also, as an actor you really do have very little control. It's incredibly frustrating as you can go for months, or even longer without an audition. At least nowadays there are so many ways to get your writing out there as opposed to feeling like you're sitting around waiting. I do find writing to be a lonely vocation, though. I think acting and writing are professions that take an enormous amount of dedication, so if I'm known as a successful person in either field in 10 years time I'll be very happy.

I know you have been really busy filming a new series for Sky Atlantic called Fortitude, can you let me know why you were drawn to this project?

First of all we've been shooting in Iceland and London! It's been great because although I love to travel, Iceland isn't somewhere that would have been on my list. And to be experiencing it working on such a big budget project has been exciting. I'm playing a lab technician called Max Cordero, and it's different from any role I've played before, which is important to me as an actor. I've had so much fun - helicopters and snowmobiles! It's impossible to know how well a show is going to do, but Sky Atlantic have invested a lot into the programme, and as an actor it's really good to be part of a project with good investment behind it. It gives me a sense of belief, and reassurance that people still want to make and see good dramas. And we have one hell of a cast! Stanley Tucci, Michael Gambon, Christopher Ecclestone, Sofie Grabol, to name a few. A Nordic crime thriller at it's best!

What, apart from Fortitude, do the next 12 months hold for you?

I've got about another six weeks of filming remaining on Fortitude. It comes out this September, which is nice and soon. Vivian's Couch will be out in October, and I may do a book tour - I really enjoyed the tour I did with Black Shoes. And most excitingly of all, I'm getting married to the most beautiful woman in the world in an extremely exotic location this summer! That should keep me busy.

Random question time that I like to ask everyone, "If you could be an animal, what would it be, and why?"

Very easy again. I'd be a panther because they are smooth, black, and handsome!

I will end by saying thank you again, it has been a real pleasure talking to you. Between us both, I am sure we will encourage more people to read, and here is to future communications between ourselves.

Thank you very much indeed. I'm really impressed by what you're doing, and if you leave me out of your book club I'll take it personally! Ha!

Michael
@michaelobiora

Occupation: Actor / Writer
Country: UK

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