Exclusive New Interview: Summer 2007
After filming for the final series of Foyle's War wrapped in Hastings, we caught up with creator/writer Anthony Horowitz to talk about his reflections on the incredible success of the show, his thoughts on Hastings and his plans for the future...
1. How does it feel after seven years to be coming to the end of Foyle's War?
Well, to be honest, I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I'm really sad. It'll be strange living without Sam, Foyle and - of course - Hastings. But at the same time, I've written 34 hours of Foyle's War, not just creating original murder mysteries but also delving into British history…and I'm fairly exhausted. So there's a bit of relief mixed in there too.
2. Will you miss the experience?
Foyle's War has been a pleasure from beginning to end, not least because it was created with Jill Green - my wife. I am very proud of what we have done and will miss it greatly.
3. You've explored so many themes over the course of the series but is there anything you haven't been able to cover?
Well, we did manage to get to the end of the war and - unless someone was interested in doing "Foyle's Peace" there wasn't very much further to go. I'm glad we managed to look at religion in the last series - an area we hadn't covered - and writing about VE Day itself was fascinating. I'm sure we would have found more stories if we'd looked but generally I think we've cast our net wide. I was certainly running out of wartime crimes!
4. Is it possible there could be one off Foyle's War specials (similar to Morse) ?
I'd be happy to write a Foyle's War special if I was asked but I'm not sure it will be possible. It simply costs too much to make a single film.
5. How has the character of Foyle evolved over the course of the series?
Foyle himself has remained much the same - but that's by design. I think these detective series need a solid anchor and that's what Foyle provides. That said, I think he's become a little angrier and more assertive as he's been pushed around by the authorities - particularly by MI5. Remember that he actually resigned at the end of series five! So he has moved with the times.
6. When we met you during filming for the pilot, you mentioned there were specific reasons for changing the location from London to Hastings. What were these?
The first reason was cost. It would have been too expensive to film in London. But Hastings was the immediate second choice and I quickly realised that it was actually a much better location than London - right on the front line, barely fifty miles from the action! Hastings was a fascinating place during the war with the beach off limits, troop movements, Dunkirk, the build-up to D-day etc. It was also naturally photogenic! I don't know how much it cost to shoot beside the sea but I think every shot is worth a million pounds and it is now inconceivable to think of Foyle taking place anywhere else.
7. Had you ever been to Hastings before?
Yes - I have a love of seaside towns and visited Hastings quite often as a boy.
8. How have the (Hastings) Old Town residents reacted to FW, both in terms of the filming, and the storylines?
You'd need to ask Jill Green but I think I can speak for the entire production if I say that we were warmly welcomed and were delighted by how friendly and co-operative everyone was. For example, the fact that we were able to shoot Foyle's house for the entire seven years is itself quite remarkable (the neighbours were the only mean people in the entire town…but that's another story). My fondest memory is meeting a fisherman who actually went to Dunkirk from Hastings. That was really extraordinary.
9. Are you aware of the huge impact Foyle's War has had on the local tourism industry?
Well, I've seen the Foyle's War postcards in your souvenir shop! It would be nice to think that we've done for Hastings what Morse has done for Oxford.
10. Is there any chance that Alex Rider could roll up in Hastings?
Ha ha. The last time I looked, Alex was in deep trouble in Bangkok (Snakehead comes out in November). But his next adventure will take place somewhere in the UK.
11. What next for Anthony Horowitz?
Well, apart from the books, I'm working on a one-off film for Granada and a five-part series for Greenlit. There's also a chance that I'll go and work in America. I'm not sure that I'll ever be able to do better than Foyle's War and I wonder if I should even try. When I look at the quality of drama being produced in the UK, I wonder if there's anything for me to write now. Maybe I'll just stick to Alex.
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