Post by cbjfan61 on Apr 24, 2009 9:22:02 GMT -5
So I know that this is over on the Spooks Central Forum and Peter Firth but I'll put it here as well.
<Disclaimer first, I can not mention some conversation or what I saw due to not giving out information for S8> To the Crew and Staff who were wonderful to allow my friend and I to hang around for 6 hours I wish to honor what is in the disclaimer. (I know someone will read this)
Anyway, Everyone reading this get comfortable cause this is my account of meeting the cast. Pictures will follow tomorrow w/pic's for the Spooks tour. Sorry I've been up since 7am London time and it is now late DC time I'm a bit tired if I miss something I will add later.
April 9th Thursday,
My friend and I had done some major touring around London and parts of England. That morning we decided to head down to where I saw someone had posted the name of the streets to find the Grid set. We took a chance and got down to the right street around 11am. We walked the whole area which on the left side of the street which is a bunch of brick buildings. We were on the right side not the left trying to find the place. We decided to walk over once we were at the end of the street. As we were coming back up the other side we looked in an open gated car park (or parking lot) and I noticed what looked like trailers and some nice cars parked. We stood and stared for a bit saw a hot pink sign that said SP Base. I said that can't mean what I want it to mean. My friend said I've been Spook obsessed all week so just whatever. Well we walked just a few paces up to where you could ring on an intercom to talk to someone. No one answered so then some guy walks out and asked us what we were looking for. We told him (Tom is his name by the way) that we were trying to find the Spooks set. He said we found it and that is where their trailers are parked and just up at the next gate back in one of the buildings is where they film for the show as well as Ashes to Ashes (which got done filming 3 or 4 weeks ago). He then tells us that there is a small cafe within the group of buildings that Harry as he said (we said Peter Firth) will tend to eat there from time to time or go to his trailer. Also that cafe is open to everyone!! So we decided to eat in there because he said that the cast usually break for lunch between 12-1pm. We had lunch in there and by 12:05pm we decided to head back to the trailers.
As we were just standing out side the open gate where the trailers were we noticed some movement inside of one. Took the chance and gave a big wave. One guy came out to go to the restroom and on his way back I asked if this was where Spooks was at and he said yes (double confirmation!) and just went back to chat with some of the other guys. We were just waiting around a bit more. When I happened to look up the street but who was walking down Hugh Simon (Malcolm) I just blurted out his name to which he was taken aback by it. We told him how much we enjoy his character on the show and think that he and Peter Firth are the rock as they have been with the show for now all 8 series. He was flattered by this. (insert information can not say something that was talked about) So we talked about how the show hasn't been shown in the US since series 3 he said something like "we could have gotten more money if it was" which we just laughed over. Mentioned how we did watch the show to get caught up. It was a good few minutes worth of a chat. He was in costume by the way. Then we told him we didn't want to take up much more of this time. Oh, we did get pictures with him.
Then one of the security drivers came out as well as did some of the drivers for the actors. The guy pointed to us (Peter is his name) told us to wait. We waited he drove back said he had just delivered some lunches to a few actors who wanted to eat up on the set. But to follow him into the car park area and he would talk to the A.D. Ben (assistant director) for the day. He told us it was ok to stand around by him and the other drivers we got to know as well. A.D. Ben we met and one of the Runners for the actors. While we were standing around one of the cars pulls in and out came Richard Armitage which we said his name he turned smiled and gave a quick wave. He was thrown back by this. (insert information that I can not say) So then a few minutes later the director gets out which I recognized him from either series 1 or 2 I will look that up and give name. We told the drivers that we recognized him and the driver went over and told him this. He was surprised but was on his way out to do some location scouting for the next week or something. Stood around some more then the security guy Peter said he would try and talk to someone about maybe meeting some of the actors. (Insert information I can't say) He told us that it was lunch time so it was a bad time. He did tell us when to come back if we wanted a better chance of meeting the cast. We told him we were going to go up to Abbey Road then come back. He actually told some of the crew this information. As we were talking out (insert information I can't say) we stopped to talk to Tom again and he asked if we got to meet anyone. As we were talking to him Richard Armitage and the other Runner for the actors came walking up behind us. RA was on his cell phone talking to someone (and in costume). Then the other Runner came up and I mentioned something to Tom again about wanting to met Peter Firth and how he must be eating up on set with the rest of the cast. She told me that he wasn't due on set until 3:45pm but might be a bit earlier and where to go back to meet him.
We came back around a little after 3pm waited by were Peter told us to do so. Shortly after waiting Peter Firth goes walking into the building which I only got to see him from behind ( i was a bit away from the door and hidden by some trucks, but still a good view of the door) he wasn't in costume I don't think. He wasn't wearing his suit. Waited around a bit and out comes Miranda Raison (Jo) with her mom. We walked up to her after we called out her to her under her real name by the way. Said if she hadn't heard we were the American's hanging around she said she had heard! We chatted with her and her mom was very proud to announce she was her mom. (insert some conversation can't talk about) we talked about how much we enjoyed her character and that she isn't just standing around but took a beating during S 6 & 7 also, mentioned how we knew the guy from S6 who was in Harry Potter. Her mom said something about how we knew someone else that has been on the show and Miranda couldn't remember until my friend and I said your husband. She forgot!! It was really funny. Wished her a happy Easter weekend after we got our picture with her. She was very wonderful to chat with!!!
(Insert information I can't say)
Then the Runners kept telling us what time they would be done and that they were on schedule. Talked to a lighting person for a minute. Talked to someone who kept bringing scripts or changes. (Insert information I can't say) Lighting guy said that they would be done soon. Saw Hugh Simon one more time he was out of costume as he left.
Towards the end we saw that the drivers were pulling up one of them I saw just earlier with a pieces of paper in his hand that I saw said Peter on in. We went over and he started talking to us his name was Julian (sp). Had a nice chat with him though I did mention that I was a big PF fan and thought that PF was very handsome for his age and something else with that. He said he was going to tell PF!
Finally, out come Peter Firth I say his name he looks over at us my friend called him Mr. Firth which he said just Peter. We introduced our selves and I told him I was a big fan (he has soft hands). He wanted to know how things were going with the show in the states. We told him it wasn't doing anything. He did say that he had heard that it was going to be on PBS. (insert conversation that I can't say). He asked if we wanted a snap as we had asked for a picture with him said he wasn't going to charge us as he said it in laughing matter. I got my picture with him first he had some scripts in his left hand along with a water bottle. (All POGs get ready to be jealous at this part) Well he didn't want the water bottle in the picture so he took it from his left hand went across to pass it to his right hand in front of me so YES for a brief second he had his arms around me. I was living that up!!! We took two pic's cause he was looking away in the first. Got a better one and then my friend. Said goodbye to him. We waved to his driver and him as they left.
Then the last two to come out were Hermione Norris and Richard Armitage. We only got to shake hands with Hermione as she was in a rush to get home more then likely but still she was happy. We got the chance to talk with RA for a minute. He seemed a bit lost as he didn't know how to take the pictures because he thought we were going to take it with him instead of individually. We did individual shoots with him. Sooooo good looking in person. We waved him and his driver as he left.
We got back to the underground made the train that was about to leave. Who turns around the lighting guy that we had met. So we chatted with him only for one stop because that was were we had to get off.
One last thing Miranda and Peter Firth both know about the post cards we've sent in.
So that is my story. I really think the only reason why we got away with what we did 1) we were American's and they know that the show isn't on over in the states 2) we were the first American's to even acknowledge the show to them in person and the first to even step foot near them filming.
They were really nice all of them crew and cast. Like I said the (insert......) I can't say what we saw sorry but I'm dying to tell everyone what we did see if we could. Once it is ok I will tell all!
Ok hope this gives everyone something to be excited about. I will post pictures before the end of the weekend.
SPOILER PART ALL INFO FILLED IN
YESSSSSSSSSSSS Ruth is back!!!!!! You have nooooooooo idea how great that feels to scream it out well write it in this case. (only because there are pictures am i doing this) we saw her on her 4th day back to filming!!!
So to fill in the blanks everyone here goes from my post of meeting the cast. When I was talking to Hugh Simon I said "I would love to see Nicola Walker come back" (as in on the show) he took it to mean and answered "Oh, she'll be down here in 5 minutes to half hour for lunch" I freaked out and saying how excited I was.
So when my friend and I were standing where they have the trailers parked and first RA's car pulled up. Within less then 30 seconds I see the other car coming back and in the back seat was Nicola Walker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw her go to her trailer and get her lunch from the food trailer that was there as well. She was outside pacing around talking to someone on her cell phone for a bit. Then she went back inside her trailer. After some time she came back out to toss her lunch away. When she went behind one of the trailers to do so the nice guy Peter walked over to her to tell we were there. She goes to toss her trash we turn to face her and she says "Hello" with a smile, we give big smiles and say "hello". Peter comes back over to us and tells us "She would really love to chat with you ladies but something about her character not being here or something, and that she was surprised that we even recognized her." to which we said "no one knows she is back on the show" he said "yes, something like that if she could she would come over and chat, I'm sorry" Well we watch NW walk back to the set we kept our distance as we were heading up the same way and going off to Abbey Road. What she was wearing: Well in the first photo here that is posted you see it. She is wearing a navy blue long skirt. Now that day she had on a massive coat on as well but I think that was more to keep her warm.
So jump to around 4pm after we see PF come in for the day on set. She walked out I could have gotten a picture but I chose not to do so of her because of Ben and NW I did not want to betray my verbal agreement with Ben as I told him I would not say a word. She was no longer in what she had on she was in jeans and a different coat as she left.
Jump to talking with Miranda we told her that we saw Nicola and she said "We are thrilled she is back" She did say that she loved how the fans have been sending in the post cards. We asked about filming on location and she said it was bound to come out that she was back.
Ok the big one talking to Peter Firth. We mentioned the post card campaign and he said "It worked didn't it" (so great job everyone!!!!)
"We didn't see her though" (as in we saw her but didn't *wink*)
"Oh, so you didn't see her earlier today?"
"We saw her but we are acting like we didn't" to which he caught on and said
"I'm really excited she is back"
So that is my very much soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wanting to tell every the big secret. To some people I know just today I wasn't going to tell but now that there are pictures out I can't deny it it and I apologize to you for that, but I do hold true that if they were not going to have pictures posted I wouldn't tell.
There you go everyone. I've been more then words can say freaking out every since that day that I saw her and can't wait to watch S8. My friend can give testimony to this being true.
<Disclaimer first, I can not mention some conversation or what I saw due to not giving out information for S8> To the Crew and Staff who were wonderful to allow my friend and I to hang around for 6 hours I wish to honor what is in the disclaimer. (I know someone will read this)
Anyway, Everyone reading this get comfortable cause this is my account of meeting the cast. Pictures will follow tomorrow w/pic's for the Spooks tour. Sorry I've been up since 7am London time and it is now late DC time I'm a bit tired if I miss something I will add later.
April 9th Thursday,
My friend and I had done some major touring around London and parts of England. That morning we decided to head down to where I saw someone had posted the name of the streets to find the Grid set. We took a chance and got down to the right street around 11am. We walked the whole area which on the left side of the street which is a bunch of brick buildings. We were on the right side not the left trying to find the place. We decided to walk over once we were at the end of the street. As we were coming back up the other side we looked in an open gated car park (or parking lot) and I noticed what looked like trailers and some nice cars parked. We stood and stared for a bit saw a hot pink sign that said SP Base. I said that can't mean what I want it to mean. My friend said I've been Spook obsessed all week so just whatever. Well we walked just a few paces up to where you could ring on an intercom to talk to someone. No one answered so then some guy walks out and asked us what we were looking for. We told him (Tom is his name by the way) that we were trying to find the Spooks set. He said we found it and that is where their trailers are parked and just up at the next gate back in one of the buildings is where they film for the show as well as Ashes to Ashes (which got done filming 3 or 4 weeks ago). He then tells us that there is a small cafe within the group of buildings that Harry as he said (we said Peter Firth) will tend to eat there from time to time or go to his trailer. Also that cafe is open to everyone!! So we decided to eat in there because he said that the cast usually break for lunch between 12-1pm. We had lunch in there and by 12:05pm we decided to head back to the trailers.
As we were just standing out side the open gate where the trailers were we noticed some movement inside of one. Took the chance and gave a big wave. One guy came out to go to the restroom and on his way back I asked if this was where Spooks was at and he said yes (double confirmation!) and just went back to chat with some of the other guys. We were just waiting around a bit more. When I happened to look up the street but who was walking down Hugh Simon (Malcolm) I just blurted out his name to which he was taken aback by it. We told him how much we enjoy his character on the show and think that he and Peter Firth are the rock as they have been with the show for now all 8 series. He was flattered by this. (insert information can not say something that was talked about) So we talked about how the show hasn't been shown in the US since series 3 he said something like "we could have gotten more money if it was" which we just laughed over. Mentioned how we did watch the show to get caught up. It was a good few minutes worth of a chat. He was in costume by the way. Then we told him we didn't want to take up much more of this time. Oh, we did get pictures with him.
Then one of the security drivers came out as well as did some of the drivers for the actors. The guy pointed to us (Peter is his name) told us to wait. We waited he drove back said he had just delivered some lunches to a few actors who wanted to eat up on the set. But to follow him into the car park area and he would talk to the A.D. Ben (assistant director) for the day. He told us it was ok to stand around by him and the other drivers we got to know as well. A.D. Ben we met and one of the Runners for the actors. While we were standing around one of the cars pulls in and out came Richard Armitage which we said his name he turned smiled and gave a quick wave. He was thrown back by this. (insert information that I can not say) So then a few minutes later the director gets out which I recognized him from either series 1 or 2 I will look that up and give name. We told the drivers that we recognized him and the driver went over and told him this. He was surprised but was on his way out to do some location scouting for the next week or something. Stood around some more then the security guy Peter said he would try and talk to someone about maybe meeting some of the actors. (Insert information I can't say) He told us that it was lunch time so it was a bad time. He did tell us when to come back if we wanted a better chance of meeting the cast. We told him we were going to go up to Abbey Road then come back. He actually told some of the crew this information. As we were talking out (insert information I can't say) we stopped to talk to Tom again and he asked if we got to meet anyone. As we were talking to him Richard Armitage and the other Runner for the actors came walking up behind us. RA was on his cell phone talking to someone (and in costume). Then the other Runner came up and I mentioned something to Tom again about wanting to met Peter Firth and how he must be eating up on set with the rest of the cast. She told me that he wasn't due on set until 3:45pm but might be a bit earlier and where to go back to meet him.
We came back around a little after 3pm waited by were Peter told us to do so. Shortly after waiting Peter Firth goes walking into the building which I only got to see him from behind ( i was a bit away from the door and hidden by some trucks, but still a good view of the door) he wasn't in costume I don't think. He wasn't wearing his suit. Waited around a bit and out comes Miranda Raison (Jo) with her mom. We walked up to her after we called out her to her under her real name by the way. Said if she hadn't heard we were the American's hanging around she said she had heard! We chatted with her and her mom was very proud to announce she was her mom. (insert some conversation can't talk about) we talked about how much we enjoyed her character and that she isn't just standing around but took a beating during S 6 & 7 also, mentioned how we knew the guy from S6 who was in Harry Potter. Her mom said something about how we knew someone else that has been on the show and Miranda couldn't remember until my friend and I said your husband. She forgot!! It was really funny. Wished her a happy Easter weekend after we got our picture with her. She was very wonderful to chat with!!!
(Insert information I can't say)
Then the Runners kept telling us what time they would be done and that they were on schedule. Talked to a lighting person for a minute. Talked to someone who kept bringing scripts or changes. (Insert information I can't say) Lighting guy said that they would be done soon. Saw Hugh Simon one more time he was out of costume as he left.
Towards the end we saw that the drivers were pulling up one of them I saw just earlier with a pieces of paper in his hand that I saw said Peter on in. We went over and he started talking to us his name was Julian (sp). Had a nice chat with him though I did mention that I was a big PF fan and thought that PF was very handsome for his age and something else with that. He said he was going to tell PF!
Finally, out come Peter Firth I say his name he looks over at us my friend called him Mr. Firth which he said just Peter. We introduced our selves and I told him I was a big fan (he has soft hands). He wanted to know how things were going with the show in the states. We told him it wasn't doing anything. He did say that he had heard that it was going to be on PBS. (insert conversation that I can't say). He asked if we wanted a snap as we had asked for a picture with him said he wasn't going to charge us as he said it in laughing matter. I got my picture with him first he had some scripts in his left hand along with a water bottle. (All POGs get ready to be jealous at this part) Well he didn't want the water bottle in the picture so he took it from his left hand went across to pass it to his right hand in front of me so YES for a brief second he had his arms around me. I was living that up!!! We took two pic's cause he was looking away in the first. Got a better one and then my friend. Said goodbye to him. We waved to his driver and him as they left.
Then the last two to come out were Hermione Norris and Richard Armitage. We only got to shake hands with Hermione as she was in a rush to get home more then likely but still she was happy. We got the chance to talk with RA for a minute. He seemed a bit lost as he didn't know how to take the pictures because he thought we were going to take it with him instead of individually. We did individual shoots with him. Sooooo good looking in person. We waved him and his driver as he left.
We got back to the underground made the train that was about to leave. Who turns around the lighting guy that we had met. So we chatted with him only for one stop because that was were we had to get off.
One last thing Miranda and Peter Firth both know about the post cards we've sent in.
So that is my story. I really think the only reason why we got away with what we did 1) we were American's and they know that the show isn't on over in the states 2) we were the first American's to even acknowledge the show to them in person and the first to even step foot near them filming.
They were really nice all of them crew and cast. Like I said the (insert......) I can't say what we saw sorry but I'm dying to tell everyone what we did see if we could. Once it is ok I will tell all!
Ok hope this gives everyone something to be excited about. I will post pictures before the end of the weekend.
SPOILER PART ALL INFO FILLED IN
YESSSSSSSSSSSS Ruth is back!!!!!! You have nooooooooo idea how great that feels to scream it out well write it in this case. (only because there are pictures am i doing this) we saw her on her 4th day back to filming!!!
So to fill in the blanks everyone here goes from my post of meeting the cast. When I was talking to Hugh Simon I said "I would love to see Nicola Walker come back" (as in on the show) he took it to mean and answered "Oh, she'll be down here in 5 minutes to half hour for lunch" I freaked out and saying how excited I was.
So when my friend and I were standing where they have the trailers parked and first RA's car pulled up. Within less then 30 seconds I see the other car coming back and in the back seat was Nicola Walker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw her go to her trailer and get her lunch from the food trailer that was there as well. She was outside pacing around talking to someone on her cell phone for a bit. Then she went back inside her trailer. After some time she came back out to toss her lunch away. When she went behind one of the trailers to do so the nice guy Peter walked over to her to tell we were there. She goes to toss her trash we turn to face her and she says "Hello" with a smile, we give big smiles and say "hello". Peter comes back over to us and tells us "She would really love to chat with you ladies but something about her character not being here or something, and that she was surprised that we even recognized her." to which we said "no one knows she is back on the show" he said "yes, something like that if she could she would come over and chat, I'm sorry" Well we watch NW walk back to the set we kept our distance as we were heading up the same way and going off to Abbey Road. What she was wearing: Well in the first photo here that is posted you see it. She is wearing a navy blue long skirt. Now that day she had on a massive coat on as well but I think that was more to keep her warm.
So jump to around 4pm after we see PF come in for the day on set. She walked out I could have gotten a picture but I chose not to do so of her because of Ben and NW I did not want to betray my verbal agreement with Ben as I told him I would not say a word. She was no longer in what she had on she was in jeans and a different coat as she left.
Jump to talking with Miranda we told her that we saw Nicola and she said "We are thrilled she is back" She did say that she loved how the fans have been sending in the post cards. We asked about filming on location and she said it was bound to come out that she was back.
Ok the big one talking to Peter Firth. We mentioned the post card campaign and he said "It worked didn't it" (so great job everyone!!!!)
"We didn't see her though" (as in we saw her but didn't *wink*)
"Oh, so you didn't see her earlier today?"
"We saw her but we are acting like we didn't" to which he caught on and said
"I'm really excited she is back"
So that is my very much soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wanting to tell every the big secret. To some people I know just today I wasn't going to tell but now that there are pictures out I can't deny it it and I apologize to you for that, but I do hold true that if they were not going to have pictures posted I wouldn't tell.
There you go everyone. I've been more then words can say freaking out every since that day that I saw her and can't wait to watch S8. My friend can give testimony to this being true.
