He got his big TV break playing Dr Sam Morgan in Peak Practice and now he’s back on the box as a doctor in Holby City. But 37-year-old Joseph Millson admits he needs to wait until he’s older to play some of his dream roles on stage…

You’ve said that you’ve likened your Holby City character, Trauma Registrar Luc Hemingway, to Hugh Laurie’s House?
I had a feeling you might say that [laughs]. I’m just glad that nobody mentioned that in the audition. But secretly, I have been thinking the same thing! I love Luc though — it looks as though he doesn’t have a sense of humour. But he’s one of those people who takes things very literally. He absolutely isn’t a nasty person and everyone discovers that eventually — along with where he lives! What’s fun is that they’re not showing all his cards at once. You can’t work out what his family is or his relationships. And he’s absolutely teetotal. He really doesn’t like alcoholics and doesn’t drink which winds Eddi up. But you don’t know why.

He has an initial bad first encounter with Eddi in his first episode, doesn’t he?
Yes. She has the upper hand with almost everyone she deals with. It’s what she’s used to and what she likes. And she just can’t work him out and can’t work out how to play him. She thinks he’s taking the mickey out of her at all times. But he’s isn’t. It takes about seven or eight episodes for her to realise that. He really likes her and thinks she’s brilliant at her job. Who knows what will happen down the line? 

Your career is a mixture of TV, theatre and musical theatre. Do you have a particular favourite?
Not really. It’s a little like asking someone which is their favourite meal — breakfast, lunch or dinner? I’d just say that I love eating. I think it’s the same as acting, really, although theatre is the biggest adrenalin rush. I’ve also been lucky enough to a do a bit of film as well — I’ve had tiny parts in big films like Casino Royale, and big parts in tiny films. Sometimes, film is the best of both worlds because the script is usually really good, and you’ve had time to develop the character, plus you get the close-up work of film-making. But theatre is where the actor is God, because there’s no editor and you’re in charge, basically! They can’t really stop you doing whatever you want on the night. And I love that. 

Is there a role that you’d love to play?
All the parts I really want to play, I’ve got to wait for another 30 years or so to do. There are a few plays I’d really love to, like King Lear. I’ve played Hamlet now so I’ve ticked that one off. But I’d like another go, to be honest. There’s a play called The Entertainer that I'd really like to do — I’ve got to wait a while for that, though. Also, I did a film with Mackenzie Crook called Abraham’s Point, which is being relaunched next year. The director of that has written a film for me. The part I most want to play is the part I will be playing in that. We should be filming it in a couple of years. It’s called Exile One Ten and it’s the best thing I’ve ever read. I can’t believe I’ll be doing it.

As a dad-of-two, your kids must have loved it when you were in The Sarah Jane Adventures. Will you let them watch you in Holby City?
My daughter Jessica is nine and my son Gabriel is seven. They’re gorgeous and they loved The Sarah Jane Adventures. There’s no bad language in Holby — there's just a bit of blood and gore. I think my daughter might watch it, but it’s on after her bedtime, so she’ll have to record it to watch later.

Elaine Penn