This has been a year like no other, and in the dark depths of February on HBO Max you'll discover mysterious mayhem in the six episodes of The Head, which you must see at least twice. Once is not enough.
There are 179 total days of darkness a year in Antarctica, and this opens with the 29th of April, the end of summer there. A total thriller, The Head starts off with a party but decrescendos a bit in the middle. We warn you: stay alert and stay tuned: if you don't tune in you'll miss the clincher at the end, best of all. For all Roger Ackroyd enthusiasts, and who isn't, you'll especially appreciate the plot twist. Fast forward to the 29th of October and what exactly happened over the winter is this story. And of course up with the 29th universally as another Mover and Shaker Chrishaunda Lee will agree.
The sound of silence punctuates scenes appropriately and the piano interludes are incredibly powerful. Though we have yet to read it and naturally it's on our list, we have seen And Then There Were None a few times and this is something like that except for in this case there is no dinner party, they are scientists and they're in Antarctica, like in History's Greatest Mysteries and Shackleton's ice ship.
The scenery is great and the opening of Episode Six was the best in particular. Most of us aren't going to go to Antarctica so it transports you there successfully (though filmed in Iceland and Spain.) The consistency from story to setting to color to sound to mood is seamless; the colorist is to be applauded in particular. If you are familiar with Manhattan's 9 West 57th Street which is gorgeous and guess who once worked there, you know to go to 8 1/2 the restaurant downstairs you go down the spiral glass staircase. A similar staircase is in this research station and it will jump out at you if you also know the stairs we reference. Previously on Whom You Know, BAFTA-Winning Chris Reilly was featured as a Mover and Shaker. We are thrilled to present his commentary on The Head and of course he was interviewed by Peachy Deegan. You can follow Chris on Instagram. 
Peachy Deegan: We understand The Head was filmed in Iceland though it is set in Antarctica. Is this correct and if so what was it like to film in Iceland?
Chris Reilly: Most of it was filmed near Santa Cruz in Tenerife. That was lovely as my family have a place there which meant they could visit. The producers and crew were so kind to them and the crew in general were very warm, no hierarchy as far as basic human contact was concerned. It was lovely. Sunshine, good people and great food. Not as cold as it looked. Quite the opposite!
We believe this was all filmed before Covid and Lockdown; is that correct?
Yes.
How did you originally hear about this show?
The director contacted me through my agent and asked me to read for one of the other roles. I made it known that I preferred Nils and was expecting to have to audition. They offered it to me after a short meeting with Jorge Dorado. Very unexpected.
This series opens with a party and it looks like you are drinking scotch; is this correct and if so what kind is it and did you get to pick it or was it assigned?
Believe it or not I was allowed to drink small amounts of watered down Spanish brandy. My character is an alcoholic and I felt it was important to the role to have a bit of that constant buzz while working. It was a big ask but everyone on the show was very understanding and put the measures in place to allow me to drink for real.
What is it like to endure such literal darkness and be so far north?
We did film mostly at night to avoid the heat of the Island but I never actually made it to Iceland. I'd have loved to have gone.
It seems like this show originated in Spain however there are many languages and cultures that are included in it; how did this all transpire and how did it work? [Note: there are English subtitles included.]
Antarctica is an international research location. Its true to life to have such national diversity. As far as working with so many different cultures - amazing. Knowing people with different backgrounds, socializing and working with them was fantastic.
Everyone will unfortunately be able to relate to this sequestering method of living sadly because of what’s transpired in the last year; what was it like to film in such a confined space?
The producers built the set as one large complete structure. So once we were inside the habitat it really was like another world or planet. You could feel the claustrophobia and isolation. Great for creating the T3 storyline which is a syndrome Antarctic winterers often acquire to various degrees.
Do you know if the writer was influenced by Agatha Christie’s and Then There Were None or Shackleton’s explorations in the Antarctic?
The Pastor brothers make no secret of that influence. The time jumps and unreliable narrators, great devices she used to timeless effect. Beside that there were bits of Aliens, The Thing, The Shining in there. Jorge Dorado gave us detailed backstories and was very keen we explore the characters within those. So it was a very creative place all round.
How did you research the Antarctic before you started shooting?
Jorge Dorado. It's one of the few jobs they laid all that on. Every detail. He worked for years on it.
What did you enjoy the most about your character, Nils Hedlund?
His vulnerability. His attachment to family. His infallibility. He has made me go easier on myself for the things I cannot control.
What is the accent of your character Nils Hedlund based on?
He's East Coast US, maybe somewhere around Philly, but his best friend is German and he's spent more adult time in international research than at home - which was risky because too much of that and it's just a bad US accent right. I hope I did okay. I kept the accent for the duration of the project.
What did you enjoy the most about working on The Head?
The people. Hands down the wonderful, kind, caring, fraternal Spanish people and their kindness to my family.
How did you all stay warm?
We were cooled. Ice vests under the jackets to cope with the Canarian heat.
Did you have a lot of creative freedom or more creative direction with Nils?
Bit of both. Provided I kept to the back story it was up to me to make a strong offer. Jorge had definite ideas of his own but has a lovely way of making you think that his ideas are yours.
What was the set like - was it all in Iceland?
All in Spain. Just some externals in Iceland.
Did any of you experience Polar T3 syndrome in reality and what should our readers know about being in this state?
No. We had too much fun in the sunshine on our days off. The hotel was a palace.
What would surprise people about shooting in extreme cold?
I was surprised to discover that trying to act very cold is much easier when you are uncomfortably warm.
Of course you are in front of and not behind the camera-we did notice some interesting shots like through a wine glass for example. Were there any innovative shooting techniques specifically employed in this series?
Lots. David Acereto our DOP was constantly finding ways of enhancing the shots. He's an artist.
Did you join the 300 club and if so how was it?
I did spend 8 minutes in an Icebath out of curiosity. Id recommend it. Especially after a sauna.
Peachy thinks she might start having nightmares about doing her laundry. How can one stay safe in a laundry room?
Lock the door behind you…..
We understand the wardrobe department makes fashion choices for all of you; are overalls going to make a comeback in the fashion world as athleisure is becoming more dominant?
I've no idea. I've never been fashionable. I'm the last man to offer anyone advice.
How was the food-Peachy personally abhors cheesecake-did you at least have chocolate there?
We had anything we wanted. The producers were generous that way. But the crew would bring in their own dishes on birthdays and holidays, enough for everyone. They were all about sharing, giving. There were some amazing dishes and they would compete to see who made the best.
We do not love seeing you as a corpse. How do you manage to stay so still?
I was drunk.
Did you see any cold climate animals? We were hoping for whales, penguins or polar bears…
Just the grips.
In Episode Six when the chair flew across the room-was that done in one take? Was that scene fun to film?
That was Jorge's suggestion. But I don't think he would have guessed I went as far as I did with it. When they shouted cut he bounced in to the room with a massive smile, raving about the shot. The poor guys in props just stood there wondering how they could reset as I'd smashed everything on every table. We decided the first take was good enough.
What are you proudest of in The Head?
The crew. I'm tearing a bit writing the reply. They were so kind when my God daughter and niece visited. They spent the day with her. And I wasn't special. That's just the Spanish people. They are about children and family and they give all of themselves to that and their work. I'm proud of them because they made a great show they all put their soul into. And they showed me how warm work can be.
We know The Head is on HBO Max in the USA; how are people watching it in other countries that you know of?
It's all over. Literally worldwide on different networks. Mediapro have done an amazing job selling a show that they had utter faith in from the beginning.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about The Head? Katharine O'Donnelly. A woman to watch. She's going places.
Will there be a Season Two of The Head? Unlikely...
There's never been a better time to join others in the free world solitary confinement, and the importance of background checks and due diligence has never been more pronounced.
Channel your inner Poirot and use your gray cells to deduce who the killer is: The Head on HBO Max is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
Directed by Jorge Dorado (“The Pier,” “Mindscape”), THE HEAD is a six-episode survival thriller set in an isolated and inaccessible Antarctic research station in which winter has fallen on the South Pole, and the sun will soon disappear for the next six months. A small team, known as the Winterers, will remain at the Polaris VI Antarctic Research Station to continue their innovative research, a crucial part in the fight against climate change, under the command of renowned biologist Arthur Wilde (John Lynch). But when spring comes, summer commander Johan Berg (Alexander Willaume) returns to the station only to find the entire team are either dead or missing. A killer is on the loose, and Annika (Laura Bach), Johan's wife, is missing. If he wants to find her alive, he will have to trust Maggie (Katharine O’Donnelly), the young doctor who is profoundly shaken and apparently the sole survivor from the group… or, is there someone else?
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