Martin Compston, known for his captivating performances, has returned to the spotlight with the premiere of his new thriller series, Fear, streamed on Amazon Prime. The series debuted at the Glasgow Film Festival, where it showcased Compston’s talent as Martyn, an architect who relocates with his family from London back to his hometown of Glasgow.
Over the years, Compston has carved out a successful acting career since his breakthrough role in the film Sweet Sixteen, which propelled him to the Cannes Film Festival more than two decades ago. His latest role brings him back to the familiar grounds of Scotland, his love for which is evident as he frequently divides his time between his roots in Greenock and life in Las Vegas.
This three-part drama, based on the novel by Dirk Kurbjuweit and adapted for the screen by Mick Ford, reflects Compston’s passion for relatable narratives woven around family dynamics. He shared, "It’s one of the brilliant things about this job, getting to travel the world. But you always want to make stuff the home squad is proud of." The narrative of Fear revolves around Martyn and his family's unsettling experiences after moving to Glasgow, where their seemingly perfect new life takes dark turns due to their neighbor’s erratic behavior.
“It’s about a family who come back up to Scotland from London. My character, Martyn, brings his young family to the city,” Compston detailed during interviews. “They’ve sold everything to buy this spectacular house, and then they encounter problems with their downstairs neighbor, whose issues escalate the tension.”
This engaging and suspenseful storyline not only explores the complications of family relocation but also dives deep inside the moral challenges faced by each character. Compston points out the show's gripping take on what it means to protect one's family, stating, "It leaves it up to the audience from their point of view to decide what they would do."
Adding to the thrill of the show, Filmed entirely on location within the Park Circus area of Glasgow, the production provides ample opportunity to showcase the city beyond its stereotypical portrayals. "I hope it reaches a wider audience, but I think Glasgow looks pretty spectacular (in the show)," he said during the premiere. Compston remarked, “We’ve really cornered the market on gritty dramas and urban decay; there is undeniably some beauty within the city.”
Compston's pride for the production’s location resonates as he discusses the evolution of the Scottish film industry. “It used to be you’d do these shows and have the premiere down south, but having it here is great – it’s fantastic to be part of this growth.” For him, premiering Fear at the Glasgow Film Festival is not only meaningful but emblematic of the burgeoning film industry within Scotland.
The cast of Fear includes engaging performances from actors such as Anjli Mohindra and Daniel Portman. Compston commented, "You believe all the relationships" and praised the chemistry with co-stars, describing many of them as legends within the industry. Fear is structured to tackle real issues—centered around modern family life—and marries psychological thrillers with pertinent social commentary.
Understanding the narrative's layered dynamics gives depth to Martyn, who is depicted as "quite selfish" by Compston himself. "So it’s about trying to keep people on side and alienate them at the same time," he explains. This complexity offers viewers food for thought about their own decisions and ethical boundaries stemming from fear and protection instinct.
While many fans harbor hopes for another season of Compston’s previous hit, Line of Duty, he remains focused on his current projects and the excitement surrounding them. He mentioned his involvement with the ITV thriller Red Eye, planned for subsequent release. Compston remarked, “I’m under no illusions how lucky I am to be giving the chance to lead these big shows.”
The premiere of Fear highlights not just the increasing relevance of Scottish productions but fundamentally how stories nurtured within local contexts can captivate global audiences. Compston said, "It’s been a joy to watch our industry grow and be part of it. And long may it continue."
Overall, Fear showcases not only intense drama filled with nail-biting suspense but also encapsulates the director Justin Chadwick's ambitions to redefine genre expectations. The project makes lasting impressions about community, relationships, and the shadows of everyday life, all framed within the scenic backdrop of Glasgow.
Directed by Justin Chadwick, Fear merges the intense psychological elements of its narrative with the intrinsic beauty of its setting, crafting what Compston describes as "a proper edge-of-your-seat thriller" filled with unexpected twists. With exceptional character dynamics and gripping storytelling, this series serves as yet another landmark achievement for the evolution of Scottish cinema and television.