Actor Nicholas Gecks’ career spans five decades, during which he’s starred in high-profile productions ranging from Doctor Who to Nicholas Nickleby. Overseas Living caught up with the actor to talk about everything from his Broadway experiences to his penchant for the hills of Prague and his apparent likeness to travel writer R.L. Stevenson

You joined the acting profession in 1978. How has the industry changed since then?
The single most important change is in attitudes; serious actors in the past kept a low profile and aimed at high kudos, whereas today the reverse is true. To keep a high profile is crucial as the industry is very celebrity driven these days.

Speaking of the change in the industry, what’s your take on British television today?
Again, it’s very celebrity driven. When I first began working in the industry, Britain produced high quality single plays and series. Today, TV is dominated by programmes such as I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and MasterChef. The industry centres on personality rather than ideas, and it’s much less cerebral than it used to be. American TV, meanwhile, is only getting better, whereas in the past it was considered something of a joke. Americans put money into making these wonderful works, whereas in Britain we only have budgets to produce programmes on how to sell houses and make potato soup.

What’s the most memorable acting experience of your career?
It’s a difficult question. Many moments come to mind, but one experience that  stands out is the period in the 80s when I worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company on the play of Nicholas Nickleby in the role of Lord Frederick Verisopht. The play became a famous stage production in England, and we later took it to Broadway in New York. I believe it was the first play on Broadway to fetch $100, and the play ran in two parts for a total of eight and a half hours. To open on Broadway, where critics are ruthless and have the power to close a show in a night, was certainly an experience. Another memorable experience was the filming of Tai-Pan, filmed on location in the People’s Republic of China where I witnessed the nascence of modern day China, when big ideas were in the making.

When did your acting career first start to bud?
I never took it seriously initially, but ended up taking part in a range of school productions and quite enjoyed it. At university, I had a girlfriend who inspired me to focus more on theatre and drama, and so I did. I joined a lot of different theatre groups and it  took off from there.

Your work involves some travelling. Name your favourite location so far.
I played the villain in an episode of Scarlet Pimpernel and in the role I had to do a lot of horse riding. The horse master became a great friend and he got me out of bed at half past five in the morning to go riding in the hills overlooking Prague. It was just wonderful, or even blissful. Prague is a great city in general, but every place has something to offer if you look in the right places.

Lastly, if you could relocate anywhere in the world, what destination would you choose?
It would have to be somewhere hot, I think. I’d take a banana boat round the pacific and stay wherever I fancied and then move on.  I’d love that. I’m alright located in London, but the Pacific Islands have always appealed to me. I must be imbued with the spirit of R.L. Stevenson.