Christian Brassington is Reverend Osborne Whitworth

Normally actors have to get into shape for a role rather than out of it but Osborne is described as being a rather large character and a man of a huge appetite so there was no getting around that; I had to gain a lot weight.

"Normally actors have to get into shape for a role rather than out of it but Osborne (‘Ossie’) is described as being a rather large character and a man of a huge appetite so there was no getting around that; I had to gain a lot weight.

"I ate a diet that included some protein shakes but it was mostly Häagen-Dazs ice cream and beer. I quite enjoyed the process of putting the weight on to start with but near the end I didn’t enjoy it so much and now I am trying to lose it which is no fun at all. It takes much longer to lose weight than to put it on. I have worked it out with a nutritionist and personal trainer but it is much easier to sit here eating a burger than go for a run."

Christian tells us what it has been like to step into such an interesting and controversial role.

"As an actor this role is a treat as he is definitely not your run of the mill period drama character. Ossie is completely unaware of his own self-importance and is obsessed with his appearance and with this very thin veneer of being this man of God. He has absolutely no self-control when it comes to either food or women. However, whilst he is a monster, Debbie (Horsfield) has written him extremely well because I don’t think that is your initial reaction to him. It is only once the series develops that his true colours start to come out."

Christian tells us where we find his scandalous character in the upcoming third series.

"We find Ossie after his wife died as a result of complications in childbirth, something that was unfortunately fairly common at the time.

"However, he seems completely unbothered by the fact that she has died and he is instantly on the lookout for another wife. He has two little daughters whom he shows no interest in as to him, they are a burden. He is from a very well-to-do, aristocratic family and is constantly trying to social climb, using his name to attempt to further his own interests. He goes into every situation assuming he has the higher social status and that others will bend to his will. That is why Ossie does not realise when he is being outwitted by George Warleggan (Jack Farthing), who uses him to forge connections and gain a higher social status."

"Ossie is an extremely greedy character who has champagne tastes on a beer income. He is a vicar and he talks about being a man of God but he has also got this voracious sexual appetite, which seems impossible to satisfy. It is unreal what he gets up to."

As one of the largest and gaudiest characters in Poldark, Christian talks to us about the amazing costumes he sported throughout filming.

"I was reading an interview with Gucci’s creative director (Alessandro Michele) and he spoke about this yellow waistcoat at the V&A museum and in Debbie’s script there is mention of this lemon, silk waistcoat which Ossie wears and thinks he looks fantastic in so I thought I would go and have a look. They had a great collection from around this time period and I found that really useful to go and see various styles that Ossie may have worn.

"All of my costumes were ever so slightly too small for me on purpose so it looks like I am bursting out of my clothing. The poor costume team had to get me in and out of my shoes all of the time because trying to bend down meant buttons coming undone and flying off. Ossie spends all of his money on canary (wine) and clothes and so it was a treat for the costume team to dress me up because there is quite a lot of poverty in Cornwall during this time but my costumes were very grand."

Whilst he enjoyed getting dressed-up everyday, Christian also enjoyed filming in some incredible locations.

"I got to film in some astonishing country houses around Bristol as well as an actual vicarage next to an old church. It was beautiful, this bucolic scene of sheep grazing with no wind turbines or telephone masts or anything. It was just one of those days where everything came together. We found this incredible location and the sheep were wondering through and the sun was hitting it so beautifully so when they showed us the trailer at the wrap party that scene looked amazing."

How does Christian feel joining a show and knowing that all eyes will be on it and him?

"It is pretty difficult to imagine millions of people watching you do something. It was incredibly exciting to get this role and I feel very lucky to be a part of the drama. The main cast were all so kind to the new members of the cast and are really great people to work with which helped an awful lot. Myself and the other new cast members did have a chat about it quite early on, about how big the show is and what a real privilege this experience has been. I feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity and extra lucky to have had such a great time."

"Christopher Biggins was my predecessor in the 70s series - when the character was voted the most hated man on television. It’s a lot to live up to, which is what Winston Graham’s family told me when they visited set. They were really good friends with him so no pressure there. I hope I have done them proud."

Character descriptions

Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner)
Ross attempts to deny his nature and isolate himself from the affairs of others but, with the stakes now higher than ever, he must find a compromise between what he wants and the needs of those who depend on him.

Demelza Poldark (Eleanor Tomlinson)
Demelza decides she will no longer be passive in her own life but, in learning to be her own master, she must determine what she truly wants for herself and how far she’s prepared to go for it…

George Warleggan (Jack Farthing)
No longer content to lord over Truro through finance alone, George finds new worlds and opportunities opening to him, but the obstacles he faces turn his journey of ambition into one of discovery on several fronts.

Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed)
Contrary to her expectations, Elizabeth finds herself once again navigating a world of uncertainties and guarding a grave secret. She comes to learn, however, that she wields far more power than she’d previously realised…

Dwight Enys (Luke Norris)
A man of integrity and compassion, Dwight finds himself pushed to his limits by the war with France, battling not only the French but his own demons and the doubts they rouse; both abroad and at home.

Caroline Penvenen (Gabriella Wilde)
Rich, beautiful and clever, Caroline navigates society’s tiers masterfully but finds the complexities of married life, and love, can be altogether more challenging.

Tholly Tregirls (Sean Gilder)
Tholly was a friend of Ross father’s before he fled Cornwall and the law many years ago. His womanising and recklessness haven’t been forgotten, and his ability to stir the adventurer in Ross could spell trouble for all…

Morwenna Chynoweth (Ellise Chappell)
Morwenna is Elizabeth’s cousin, and finds herself in George’s employment to support her sisters and widowed mother. Morwenna soon discovers, however, that there are things more important in life than one’s sense of duty or place…

Sam Carne (Tom York)
Sam arrives in his sister Demelza’s world determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, spreading the Methodist word. But how can Sam profess to save strangers when his own brother courts temptation?

Drake Carne (Harry Richardson)
A good natured free-spirit, Drake has many of the qualities of his sister Demelza. He seeks his own place in the world and finds himself unwilling to settle for the limits life seeks to impose; especially concerning his romantic destiny…

Hugh Armitage (Josh Whitehouse)
As the nephew of Lord Falmouth, Hugh has grown up in the shadow of expectation – a fact he is keenly aware of. But Hugh is also a romantic and wilful. He would do as he chooses with his future, and being true to one’s heart rarely comes without a cost…

Osborne Whitworth (Christian Brassington)
Osborne is from an esteemed family and a reverend. Driven by lustful desires, the widower seeks a new wife and George sees there is a social advantage in helping him…

Emma Tregirls (Ciara Charteris)
Lusty and headstrong, Emma isn’t a follower of anyone. When the Carne brothers arrive with God in tow, Emma is therefore the first to poke fun at Sam’s piousness - but people have a strange way of getting under your skin and, as they say, opposites often attract…

Lord Falmouth (James Wilby)
A man of ancestral power, his will has dictated the people and politics of Truro for generations but Falmouth finds a revolution in thought occurring, one that threatens to upend the status quo…

Sir Francis Basset (John Hopkins)
Sir Francis is one of the wealthiest men in the county but where Basset chooses to ally himself will have significant consequences for the people of Truro…

Tom Harry (Turlough Convey)
Tom Harry is George’s right hand man and delights in carrying out his master’s dirty work. With George’s rising power, Tom Harry finds his own increased – and he’s only too happy to wield it.

Aunt Agatha (Caroline Blakiston)
Resilient and wily as ever, Agatha resists the Warleggan occupation of Trenwith with all the fervour she can muster, sparing what energy she has left to look out for the Poldarks both at home and at Nampara.

Prudie Paynter (Beatie Edney)
Prudie is Nampara’s loyal servant and an increasingly central part of the Poldark unit. For all her bluster, Prudie is as loyal as they come and not averse to voicing her opinion - whether it’s asked for or not!

Ray Penvenen (John Nettles)
Caroline's kindly, sweet-toothed Uncle Ray has raised her since she was orphaned. Ray is one of the county's wealthiest and most powerful gentlemen.

Cary Warleggan (Pip Torrens)
George’s uncle, Cary is shrewd and determined to win the respect of the ruling classes. However, his uncouth manner and lack of humanity works against him.

Captain Henshawe (John Hollingworth)
An old friend of Ross, Henshawe was Mine Captain of Wheal Leisure when Ross’ father was alive. He is well-respected in his field.

Harris Pascoe (Richard Hope)
Ross’ banker and long standing friend, Pascoe is a shrewd businessman. He frequently counsels Ross to be more cautious in his business dealings, and frequently fails.

Reverend Dr Halse (Robin Ellis)
Halse is a powerful Magistrate who has little sympathy for the poor. However, whereas he once held Ross in contempt, he begins to see the value in Ross, and we sense Halse is not as blinkered as we’d reason to believe.

Zacky Martin (Tristan Sturrock)
One of Ross’ oldest and loyalist friends, Zacky has worked in his mines for years and is well respected by both commoners and local gentry alike.

Related Media Centre Links

• Filming started for Poldark Series Three

Related Web Links

• Mammoth Screen