"The interesting thing about Hain is that he's not a very interesting character. He's not fabulously clever. He's not a great policeman. He's not hugely charismatic. I'd describe him as a kind-of Chekhovian character. He's an ordinary bloke, to whom extraordinary things have happened. Which is quite hard to play, I have to say"
- Robbie Coltraine
About this Quote
This quote by Robbie Coltraine is referring to the character of Hain in a play or movie. Coltraine is saying that Hain is not a particularly fascinating character, as he is not fabulously creative, an excellent cop, or hugely charming. Rather, Coltraine describes Hain as a Chekhovian character, indicating he is a regular individual to whom remarkable things have actually happened. Coltraine implies that it is hard to play this kind of character, as it needs a specific level of subtlety and nuance. This quote highlights the importance of having characters in a story that are relatable and believable, even if they are not especially intriguing or interesting. It also shows the skill of an actor in being able to portray a character that is not especially remarkable, but still manages to capture the audience's attention.