Character: Ted Cartwright
Actor: Roy Marsden
Episode: Bad Blood

The theme of fathers and sons was a strong pull for Roy Marsden in Foyle's War.

"I think the father-son relationship is one of the strongest in drama and that was interesting for me in Foyle's War. Although the character of Ted Cartwright is quite small in the piece, it was good because of that."

Ted is a vet who lives near Hastings with his son Leonard (Tom Harper), a Royal Navy sailor who was injured in a German attack.

"Ted is a good man and he has brought up his son on his own after his wife died. He invested a huge amount of love, care and patience in Leonard. Then the war came and took away his son. The period of youth when fathers and sons can explore together was gone and his son came back from war a man, not a boy.

"It's very moving when the police investigate a murder and Ted's feelings about his son change. It is a very hurtful and painful sore for him. He goes through disappointment but, at the end, has his pride restored."

Roy has three sons of his own and a daughter, with his partner, producer and deputy BAFTA chair Hilary Bevan Jones.

"They are the light of our life - they are great and all doing incredibly well. None of them have been a disappointment, they're full of energy and you just know they are going to do all right."

He came to the role in Foyle's War after filming another ITV1 drama Vincent.

"It was interesting because I was a heavy villain opposite Ray Winstone. Although I played Commander Adam Dalgliesh in for all those years, now my world has really changed from being a copper. I've also been to Singapore where I am playing another villain called the Memory Man in a feature film.

"Life is good and it's amazing to be getting such different offers. The television industry has always been magical for me, and the people charming. Foyle's War was another example. Everyone took their job seriously but with a good sense of humour and I was proud to be part of it. I can't think of a better way to keep on working until I end up in the Sunshine Home for retired actors!"

Roy divides his time between London and his home in Norfolk. "We have a place just inland from the North Norfolk coast with no street lighting. It's wonderful and you can go for long walks by the sea or in the country."

Roy's other credits include King Solomon's Mines, Dangerous Lady, Goodbye Mr Chips, Frank Stubbs Promotes and Mysterious Island.