FAMILY ties

CHARLES VENN on why Jacob Masters is determined to care for his grandson

- ELAINE REILLY

Decked out in his paramedic uniform as Casualty’s Jacob Masters, actor Charles Venn cuts a striking figure when he joins TV Times for an exclusive video interview from his dressing room in Cardiff to talk about a gripping new development for his character.

‘I’ve just got off set from shooting a powerful scene,’ shares Charles, while giving us a virtual tour of his ‘man cave’, decorated in eye-catching posters and cool action figures. ‘It’s a very emotive and relatable situation and I can’t wait for you guys to see it!’

It’s been nine years since Charles made his debut back in 2015 as Jacob, then a nurse, and in that time he’s had his fair share of action-packed drama. However, last month, it was Jacob’s personal life that took an unexpected turn when his estranged son, Blake, abandoned his baby, Carter, outside Holby ED.

In this week’s episode of BBC1’s hit medical drama, Jacob secures custody of his grandchild but grapples with an uncertain future.

Here, Charles, 50, tells us more…

How do you feel about this new storyline for Jacob?

I recently became a grandad myself in real life, so the timing feels like art imitating life! Jacob is definitely the most fulfilling character I’ve ever played and I’ve grown as an actor with him. He’s gone through so many challenges in his nine, almost 10, years at Holby and there are still many things unexplored with him. [Laughing] Although when I started in 2015, I had a lot less grey hair!

Jacob meets Carter’s mum Danielle Holt (played by Xara Chisano) for the first time when he visits her in prison this episode. What can you reveal about that?