The Family Man: Trevor Eve Interview

Trevor Eve leaves the confines of the Cold Case unit and enters the highly emotive world of IVF as he plays charismatic fertility expert Dr Patrick Stowe in a moving drama for BBC One. The Family Man takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that go hand in hand with having a baby  with a little bit of scientific help. The drama focuses on Dr Stowes treatment of four couples  each, for their own personal reasons, desperate for him to make their dreams come true. Sarah Ward meets the Waking The Dead star.

When Trevor Eve was approached to play the role of Dr Patrick Stowe in The Family Man he jumped at the chance, especially when he discovered it was written by Bafta award-winning Tony Marchant. I really like Tonys work, says Trevor. I was sent some scripts and think the subject is absolutely fascinating. Its at a particular stage now scientifically, but who knows where it could march on into some kind of designer future?

Over the years, Patrick Stowe has helped hundreds of couples to have babies of their own and strongly believes that each case should be judged individually, a belief which puts him at odds with many of his colleagues.

Patrick is a man who I think wants to try and please everybody, explains Trevor.He wants to use his knowledge to maximum effect to help people, and I think this pushes him into a dilemma, really, as to how far he should go and whether he crosses the boundaries and the ethical guidelines that are laid out. I think he sometimes feels compelled to cross them so he can help people who are really struggling and have particular requirements. Its probably because his personal life is really in a state and he thinks he hasnt contributed much to that, so he wants to contribute to other peoples welfare.

Very passionate and principled about what he does, Patrick spends most of his time at work, which ends up affecting his family life and his relationship with his children.

I met a very successful IVF commissioner who has never taken a holiday in eight years, is on call seven days a week and starts every morning at 7am with egg collections, says Trevor. I think you can delegate, but I also think there are a lot of consultants who believe that they should see the process through. Theyre totally committed. Thats a very realistic aspect of the story.

One could argue that Patrick is playing God with peoples lives, but perhaps theres a small part of him that quite enjoys being in control?

I speak for Patrick, and not for all the IVF commissioners, but yes, I think so. He has this expertise, and I really think he enjoys using it, agrees Trevor. I think the whole idea of being able to give the gift of life to people who cant get it in natures prescribed way does tend to seem godlike  but I dont think he sees himself like that.

As part of his research,Trevor met some couples currently going through IVF treatment, and found it to be a religious experience.

I researched it and went through all the procedures, explains Trevor.People were kind enough to let me attend their sessions, which was staggering and very moving. Also, what the womans body has to go through in terms of the hormone process  its very taxing for her. I think The Family Man does show this  its extremely informative and enlightening.

Trevor, who is married to Holby City actress Sharon Maughan and has three children, hasnt changed his perception of IVF, but certainly now appreciates the dilemma that science is in. Im very fortunate to have had three children quite easily, and to experience, certainly in my research, peoples agonies and desperation over their inability to conceive naturally  I find that extraordinary. I knew that it existed, but I didnt know that it was to such an extent.

More and more people today expect to be able to have children with no complications, and can be unprepared when things dont go according to plan. In todays world, we expect there to be solutions to everything, but IVF treatment isnt as straightforward.

I didnt realise that there were all these particular ethical guidelines that you have to adhere to and that you can only put so many embryos back, depending on the age of the woman, explains Trevor.

So, what are Trevors thoughts on where the IVF industry is heading?

Its fascinating and I dont have the answer, but its certainly made me think about it. I absolutely understand how, when you have the science and when you have the ability, you might well want to help people and break the guidelines.

Trevor is currently filming the next series of the Emmy-winning drama Waking The Dead, in which he plays Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd. Im going to be doing that for ever! laughs Trevor. As long as people enjoy it, then Im happy to do it. But it can get quite gruesome sometimes!

Trevors other credits include playing the investigator Eddie Shoestring, plus starring roles in The Politicians Wife, A Sense Of Guilt and David Copperfield. He has worked alongside Daniel Day Lewis in In The Name Of The Father, and with Jude Law in the 2001 film Enemy At The Gates.