Everyone's favourite fictional police force is back to help us bring in the bells as Scot Squad returns to our screens this week with a Hogmanay special.
Leading the troops is police Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson played by actor Jack Docherty who tells us what to expect from the one-off episode this Friday as well as the new series which returns to BBC Scotland on Thursday, January 6.
READ MORE: TV star Grado talks Scot Squad
Do you feel pressure having that famous Hogmanay slot and doing a new year’s special?
You bet. I remember the excitement when I was a boy waiting to see Rikki Fulton on New Year's Eve. It meant a lot to me as a comedy fan, so I hope we do the slot justice.
What can we expect from the new series of Scot Squad?
Look out for The Chief reinventing himself as a warrior of woke. And he may, just maybe, perhaps, might, get it completely wrong.
Can you believe that you are now entering – I believe a seventh series – did you ever think you would still be playing the chief this far on?
No. I had no idea. I loved the character from the off (it tempted me out of performing exile) but had no inkling he, and the series, would take off and connect with the audience the way it has. And I love all the spin-offs too, like interviewing the political leaders. It’s great fun when the fictional intersects with the factual. Discussing my pay rise with the First Minister is always fun.
Why do you think people love your character so much?
He’s a universal character I think. No matter your job, everyone’s had a boss who thinks he knows everything and is convinced of his own genius. He’s a buffoon, but a benign one. He may be an idiot at times, blinded by self-importance, but he’s trying his best. And of course, he’s remarkably handsome, which helps.
Do you find people in the street calling you chief and do you get some banter from real police officers?
Yes, I’ve had police officers surreptitiously saluting me in the street, which is always a laugh. I tell any police officer I bump into, to take the afternoon off. Don’t know if anyone’s acted on it yet. And they always want to know who our mole is, because the show is so true to life, which is a little worrying!
How was filming this time around?
Great fun, as ever. We film way more stuff than we use and improvise a lot too, so by the next day I’ve no memory of what we filmed. The producer and director will say "oh the police dog diversity sketch came out well” and I’ll have no idea what they’re talking about.
Do you think there is any similarities between you and your character?
I hope not! But John Cleese said the character you play best is who you would have become in life had you not had a sense of humour, so there probably is. It is a little worrying how easily I can slip into the character of an officious buffoon.
If you weren’t playing Chief Miekelson, what other Scot Squad officer would you love to portray?
None. I couldn’t possibly. It would be a crushing demotion. I am the numero uno, the grande fromage, the prince of policing, the main man…or nothing at all!
Who do you get on with most in Scot Squad?
The funny thing is that we film our bits in isolation so we never get to meet or hang out with the others. I do occasional scenes with Stuart MacPherson who plays Archie Pepper and that’s always fun. We tend to just spend the whole scene trying to make the other one laugh. But Sally Reid directed the Hogmanay special, so I got to know her better this time. So I pick Sally! (better keep on her good side in case she directs any more)
Do you think there will be more Scot Squad after this series?
I hope so. I have so much fun doing it, that I’m happy for it to continue as long as the BBC want it.
I get the impression you love this role, do you enjoy going back to it every year?
I certainly do. It’s always exciting when I get the first scripts through; trying to guess what the writers will have come up with. I pull on the uniform and it’s like meeting up with an old friend. Hopefully each year I get a little better at portraying the People’s Chief.
Scot Squad airs on BBC One Scotland on Friday at 10.30pm and the new series begins on BBC Scotland on Thursday, January at 6 at 10pm.
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