❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Aidan Turner on Fifteen-Love: 'I've never played anyone more detestable'

The former Poldark star unpacks his "terrifying" character.

Aidan Turner as Glenn wearing a suit and standing up with a collection of papers in his hand

Prime Video

Published: Wednesday, 19 July 2023 at 1:32 pm

Subscribe to Radio Times magazine and get 12 issues for £1

This feature contains discussion of sexual assault that some readers may find upsetting.

Ad

Aidan Turner has played a wealth of different men over the course of his career, but Fifteen-Love's Glenn Lapthorn might be the worst.

"I don't know if I've played anyone who's more detestable. I really don't," he told RadioTimes.com of his character, a successful and well-respected tennis coach who is accused of sexual abuse by his former protégée Justine Pierce (Ella Lily Hyland).

"But that was always the interesting challenge of playing Glenn: He doesn't see himself as that, he doesn't see himself as a monster. He would consider himself articulate and charismatic.

"He's a coveted tennis coach. If he takes you on and coaches you, there's no reason why wouldn't become a top-seeded player. He's a gatekeeper, and he knows he has that kind of power."

Aidan Turner in Fifteen-Love, holding a tennis ball and racquet and talking to his co-star

Aidan Turner in Fifteen-Love. Prime Video/World Productions

Speaking about the relationship between Glenn and Justine, Hyland said: "One of the notes that I had throughout was to play this like a love story. Maybe there's a bodily instinct of something not being right, but cognitively she believes that she's in love with this person.

"And Glenn also correlates with the experience that she had of being at the top of her career. That holds a lot of power and nothing can ever touch how great she felt in that moment.

"It's quite hard to see Glenn as a bad person from Justine's perspective until we get to those more difficult moments, because it's this person that she trusts."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Accept and continue

Turner added: "He's lying to everybody about everything: to his wife; to his peers; to the people he works with; to students. Everything is a huge lie. He's spinning plates all the time and it's almost like he gets a kick out of it.

"It doesn't seem hugely stressful for him. He's in the eye of the storm and I think he feels regenerated by that, which is terrifying in its own way."

Read more:

If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, visit the NHS website or Victim Support for information and support.

Fifteen-Love will air on Prime Video on 21st July 2023 – try Prime Video for free for 30 days.

Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.

Ad

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

A head and shoulders shot of Abby Robinson. She is in front of a grey background, looking at the camera and smiling. She wears a black zipped-up jacket with an elaborate gold and maroon design

Abby RobinsonDrama Editor

Abby Robinson is the Drama Editor for Radio Times, covering TV drama and comedy titles. She previously worked at Digital Spy as a TV writer, and as a content writer at Mumsnet. She possesses a postgraduate diploma and a degree in English Studies.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...