Paul McGann plays Colonel MacNab
"MacNab is intelligent and resourceful and really influential
and he holds all the cards in that respect. It's an exciting time for
him. It's the beginning of superpowerdom. It's the beginning of the
empire. It's up for grabs." - Paul McGann
Actor Paul McGann plays Colonel MacNab, a commander of the English
occupation forces.
MacNab is determined to maintain order and that means capturing Alan
Breck and Davie Balfour, no matter what it takes.
McGann describes his character as an opportunist - a man with a job
to do who keeps his eye firmly on what could be a substantial prize:
"MacNab represents the English military and the English state. There's
a chance that he and the other officers, as a reward for his campaign,
may end up in Scotland with land and in politics. He may have a future
in Scotland."
Despite MacNab's ferocious pursuit of Alan and Davie, McGann says the
Colonel's attitude towards the Highlanders is generally one of frustration
at their efforts at rebellion:
"When I read it I thought there's no hatred there. It's more out of
frustration. He's saying to the Scots, 'Be real. Give in. Admit it.'"
McGann has enjoyed the villainous side of MacNab:
"Most actors relish the chance to play the bad guy because it usually
means mixed morality. It's better, it's more fun as an actor to play
those dark roles."
McGann sees plenty of contemporary relevance in Robert Louis Stevenson's
historical portrayal of oppression and rebellion:
"Nationalism has a destructive streak but at its heart it has a romantic
streak as well.
"Alan Breck for my money is one of the best characters in literature
because he embodies that almost childlike romanticism but in the end
there's pragmatism.
"They're good adversaries, Breck and MacNab. You can imagine them meeting
again 25 years later in politics and getting on well. Generals and so-called
terrorists end up as presidents of countries, cutting deals with their
former adversaries."
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