Character: Major Cornwall
Actor: James Wilby
Episode: They Fought In the Fields

James Wilby is cornering the market in World War Two dramas, moving from Island At War to Foyle's War.

"It was strange to work on two Second World War dramas at the same time. Island at War was a big part for me, whereas Foyle's War is more of a cameo, but it was good to go from one to the other."

In Foyle's War, James plays Major Cornwall, who is in charge of a camp for prisoners of war.

"He is the kind of man who sees the best in people and has decided that the best way of getting information out of the Germans is to be nice to them. Rather than using heavy-handed tactics, he goes for the friendly approach.

"The consequence of this is that he doesn't want civilians talking to them as there could be aggression. So Foyle has a problem getting to see the Germans and he falls out with Cornwall because Foyle being Foyle has the last word!

"There is a slight tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that Cornwall's rank has gone to his head - he's the type of person who was no-one but then becomes a major in the army. But he is not pompous or dangerous. He genuinely apologies for making a mistake and his true good qualities come through at the end."

Wearing the Major's uniform took a bit of getting used to.

"It makes you stand up straight. I am tall and with a cap on my head I felt very tall, poncing about in this great uniform. It took a day to get used to that. The army is a rigid place, akin to school. I wanted to feel like a schoolmaster, not a schoolboy, as I usually do in a suit and tie!"

James' many roles on television include Silent Witness, Sparkling Cyanide, Bertie and Elizabeth, Nothing But The Truth, The Woman in White, Lady Chatterley and Mother Love. He appeared in Gosford Park and other film roles include Cotton Mary, Tom's Midnight Garden, Maurice and Howard's End.

"At the moment I am trying to get a movie off the ground. It's Burmese Days, written by Valentine Guinness from the book by George Orwell. Romola Garai is attached to it and I'm hoping to act in it too, when we can raise the money."