In a recent feature for irishtimes.com, actor Christopher Eccleston discusses his role in the Stephen Burke comedy Chasing Millions, his working-class upbringing in Salford, and his path into acting. Eccleston stars as a harried Northern Irish police officer in the film, which examines the aftermath of the 2004 Northern Bank robbery—the largest cash heist in British or Irish history, in which more than £26 million was stolen.
Christopher Eccleston Stars in Northern Bank Heist Comedy Chasing Millions
Chasing Millions employs a mismatched-buddy dynamic pairing Eccleston’s character with a visiting Australian officer played by Madeleine Madden. The film navigates the backdrop of the 2004 robbery and the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland, blending grim circumstances with dark comedy. Eccleston notes in the irishtimes.com interview that working-class cities like Belfast, Salford, and Manchester naturally lean into humor when facing severe difficulties.
The project brought fresh attention to a historic crime that Eccleston admits he initially forgot about amid broader headlines from the era. To prepare for the role, he listened to a forensic BBC Sounds podcast detailing the heist. The script was written by Stephen Burke and Katherine Thomson, focusing on the comedic elements surrounding the dramatic theft.
Salford Roots and Accidental Beginnings in Acting
Reflecting on his early life, Eccleston points out his distinct Salford identity during the city’s centenary celebrations, noting that his paternal great-grandmother, Katy Connor, hailed from Dublin while his mother’s side came from canal backgrounds. Growing up in a working-class household where his father worked as a forklift driver and his mother cleaned a launderette, acting was not an early ambition.
After failing his GCSEs and O-levels, Eccleston attended a sixth-form college where a drama teacher spotted him messing around in a communal area. Invited to participate in a school play, he discovered a community influenced by post-punk culture and joined primarily to avoid factory work and nine-to-five routines. He attended the Central School of Speech and Drama when financial grants remained available, receiving a discretionary grant from Salford Council that supported his training.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christopher Eccleston and Chasing Millions
What is the premise of Chasing Millions?
The film is a mismatched-buddy comedy directed by Stephen Burke that follows the aftermath of the 2004 Northern Bank robbery, where more than £26 million was stolen in Belfast. Christopher Eccleston plays a harried Northern Irish police officer alongside Australian actor Madeleine Madden.
How did Christopher Eccleston prepare for his role in the film?
Eccleston researched the historical event by listening to a detailed BBC Sounds podcast that provided forensic background on the 2004 heist and its impact on the region.
How did Eccleston begin his acting career?
After failing his GCSEs and O-levels, a drama teacher at his sixth-form college invited him to join a school play. He subsequently trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama with the assistance of a discretionary council grant.