If you had to put your life on the line every time you went to work, you’d be forgiven for having a drink to take the edge off at the end of the day.
However, for Nabil Elouahabi, who plays veteran explosives officer Hassan ‘Hass’ Rahim in the hit ITV drama Trigger Point, Hass needed to steer clear of alcohol.
‘I’m sober,’ he told Metro when we sat down with him. ‘That was something I wanted to put in place [for the character]. Being sober and in recovery is part of my life. I love it, and it’s a better way to live, for me, as simple as that.
‘There was a big pub scene [in the show], they were all doing shots, and I thought, I want to unpack something different without making a song and dance about it.
‘There are lots of people who don’t drink… personally, it got to the point where I just didn’t want to drink anymore because it was causing me more harm than good.’
Of course, a big part of why Nabil, 50, felt he could ask for Hass to be sober was because of the close relationship he shares with Trigger Point’s lead actor and executive producer, Vicky McClure.
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The pair have worked on the show together for the last three years, and Nabil made no secret of the fact that she’s a joy to work with.
‘Vicky is an example of a number one,’ he explained.
‘She always checked on everybody. Not just the actors, but all departments.
‘She cares, actually cares. I think that’s informed by her working-class roots.’
Of course, Nabil’s willing to admit that even someone as lovely as Vicky has her vices, and apparently, the 42-year-old has one big weakness.
‘She is insane about Greggs,’ Nabil laughed when we asked about the rumours she kept buying the cast and crew Greggs.
‘She’s addicted. I’m sure she owns it and hasn’t told us.’
Trigger Point Key Details
- What’s it about? The Metropolitan Police’s bomb disposal team and ex-military bomb disposal operative Lana Washington.
- Who’s in the cast? Vicky McClure, Nabil Elouahabi, Eric Shango, Kerry Godliman, Natalie Simpson, Tamzin Griffin, Kevin Eldon
- Where to watch: ITV and ITVX
- When’s it on: Sunday at 9 pm on ITV or you can stream all of season 3 now on ITVX
While Vicky may have a weakness for a decent pastry, Nabil is clear that this just demonstrates how giving she is as a co-worker.
‘The main thing about Vicky is her generosity of spirit, he said. ‘It sets the tone. ’
So, how does that tone translate to the atmosphere on set? Well, Nabil admits ‘he’s been doing this a long time’ and ‘done lots of shows’ but Trigger Point is a bit special.
‘What’s come out of this is,’ he said. ‘The excitement of being on a good job, being one of the main cast, and the third part is when you have a group of people who share your value system. There are no divas.’
It’s a good thing there are no divas on set as well because Vicky and Nabil, or their characters Lana and Hass, are going to have their hands full this season dealing with a mysterious bombing campaign that threatens to bring London to its knees.
Can the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit stop the bomber before it’s too late? Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out.
Trigger Point continues Sunday at 9pm on ITV.
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