Danny Kendall (1986-1989) – Jonathan Lambeth
Arriving in Series 9, Danny Kendall became Grange Hill’s most iconic anti-hero. Played by Jonathan Lambeth, artistic Danny lead a Speaking Wall campaign, regularly walked out of lessons, designed the longest lasting school logo and clashed repeatedly with Mr Bronson. It was this feud that lead to a final showdown with Danny stealing Mr Bronson’s car, before being found dead inside it, in one of children’s television’s most shocking scenes. Having left the acting world behind, Jonathan Lambeth looks back on his time playing Danny Kendall in this exclusive interview.
What lead to you going into acting?
Pure chance initially. I started going to a drama and speech class one evening a week with a friend as a fun activity and confidence booster.
What roles had you played before joining Grange Hill?
Nothing at all – not even at school.
Did you audition specifically for the part of Danny?
Sort of. The woman who ran the drama class used to send her pupils to auditions for TV and theatre. The BBC wanted some state school kids for parts in Series 9 of Grange Hill, so she sent me and my mate to the audition, largely for the experience. One or two more auditions later and I was offered the role of Danny Kendall. Totally unexpected. My mate was a bit narked mind.
Ricky (Ant) and Alison (Louise) also got parts via the same drama teacher, though we hadn’t met prior to GH.
Did you watch Grange Hill before you joined it?
Yes of course, the Tucker era. It was the best children’s TV around, at a time when there wasn’t a lot on television and just three channels.
How similar were you to Danny Kendall? Were you artistic?
Sadly, definitely not! Sorry! Not an artistic bone in my body.
However, I think we were similar personalities in many ways – something I think the excellent Ron Smedley (Producer) and brilliant Ed Pugh (Lead Director) picked out at my auditions – to a degree I did not realise at the time.
Instinctively we are both outside the mainstream, not always by choice but just through choosing our own path, and generally being socially mystified, as I call it! We don’t always entirely fit in.
Like Danny, I’m also quite rebellious at authority especially when it’s unreasonable or unjust – one of the reasons I think that journalism suited me as a subsequent career.
Did you like the character of Danny?
Danny was a brilliant character, a gift for an actor. The rebel, the underdog; the anti-authority figure, lots of anger and grit, knows his own mind whatever others tell him. And he also has a deep background, as you gradually hear more about his life and challenging experiences. It was a great role to have, at least when the storylines were strong (no, I do not include lost donkeys in that…).
Who did you get on well with from the cast?
On set – there were lots of fab people in the cast, supporting cast and the crew, so spoilt for choice for a chat or friendly face.
Of course there were some established social groups already, the younger and older year groups. So similarly, the small group parachuted in together as ‘Third Years’ had a bit of a connection when working – me and four genuinely lovely people, who were Sara (Julia), Ricky (Ant), Alison (Louise) and Fiona (Laura), with the addition of the equally lovely Simon Vaughan a year later. Ricky’s horse impressions were legendary.
Erkan (Roland) of course is the social glue that binds the whole cast even now and was always the first to greet someone new – such a good bloke. And a shout out to my long lost Green Room buddy Tim Polley (Banksy), we shared good chats about filmmaking and life.
Off set – distances, age, different schools, social mystification and so on meant I didn’t see others in the cast all that often. The main person I saw over the years was Michael Sheard – my in-show nemesis. We had a few adventures together. He was a brilliant, kind, funny person with a wonderful family and was a true friend, much missed.
Did you get much reaction to your character from the public?
A brilliant reaction – Danny was well liked and I really appreciated all the positive responses from fans of the show. A few parents were a bit disapproving but generally he was regarded positively as the anti-hero hero. As a character I think he was a tiny bit influential in terms of the rebellious approach and his art. He gets positive mentions in all sorts of quirky places; tv shows, by bands, actors, artists etc All the credit is to the writing, editing and production team that first year, not least of which was the brilliant Anthony Minghella, one of the nicest people I have ever met.
You had a lot of confrontational scenes with Michael Sheard. How did you find him to work with?
An acting legend, enormously supportive, the ultimate professional and a lot of fun. You had to take the work very seriously, as he strived for perfection, but I think that really paid off in the results.
How did you get on with the rest of the adults in the cast (unlike many of the pupils, Danny had some very significant scenes with Mr Baxter, Mr Bronson, Mrs McClusky and Miss Booth)?
I was very lucky having so many scenes with the teachers as they tended to be quite impactful, dramatic scenes and it was such a learning opportunity and enjoyable.
We got on very well – I’m grateful to all of them for advice, encouragement, role modelling, occasional tellings off and quite a few laughs over the years. Initially Karen Ford (Miss Booth) in particular, who was so welcoming, knowledgeable, and kind with a first time actor and no doubt deeply annoying teenager! We had some great scenes and I’m very grateful to her.
Gwyneth (Mrs McClusky) and Michael Cronin (Mr Baxter) were also fantastic – also brilliant actors, also with extensive careers outside GH, yet took the time out to be incredibly supportive and constructive with the young cast.
Gwyneth was such a caring person and always warm and fun on set – she herself talked about ‘her kids’. So much respect, love and admiration for Gwyneth from all who knew her. Her loss has been very keenly felt, obviously by family and friends, but by so many people who worked with her over the years, me included.
Grange Hill won a BAFTA during the 1986 series, and for many this (and the following 3 years) are regarded as the golden era of Grange Hill. Why do you think this series was so successful?
I think during this period Grange Hill was still benefitting from the BBC’s original idea to make a bold, hard hitting series, different to other kids shows. As long as it stayed edgy, it was great. I was told that later in the 80s there was a BBC management decision to lower the target age range, which we really noticed in the later storylines. I think it became a different show, at the same time as increased competition began appearing.
Danny Kendall; misunderstood or just difficult?
Misunderstood and difficult for sure. But he wasn’t an intentional troublemaker, he just chose his own path and it didn’t happen to align with what others thought it should be. Now, I believe (hope) he would be diagnosed with ADHD and supported properly with his talents and ambitions.
Danny was into hip-hop and graffiti – were you?
Hip-hop not really, though the DJing was interesting. With no artistic ability, I wasn’t capable of stickmen let alone graffiti, but I came to really respect the talent of some of the street artists and even judged some national competitions.
Danny always carried a red handkerchief in his pocket – was there any significance to this?
It was actually a red plastic bag. It was his school bag – it had a couple of books in it. Fitted neatly in a pocket and that was sufficient for Danny. It became an integral part of the character.
What lead to you leaving Grange Hill?
Death…of my character!
Danny’s death is remembered as being an iconic piece of television – how involved were you with the creation of this storyline?
It was my idea strangely. They asked me if I’d be interested in coming back for Series 12 but I was worried about imminent school exams. I asked if I could have a light schedule and they said that would be hard to script. So I said what if Danny died, thinking there could be a really great storyline. They were surprised I would suggest killing off my own character! But Ron Smedley, the Producer, later said to me the writers loved the idea. And so it (he) came to pass.
As an actor I had hoped there would be a bit more to it than being found dead in a car mysteriously, but I know it had a big impact on the audience.
What was it like filming those death scenes?
Very different, quite intense, but as I was found dead, it was also quite passive. There was much debate about eyes open or eyes shut, but management decided it might be too horrifying for children’s TV to have eyes open.
Were you aware of the impact those scenes would have on viewers, even years on? (It’s been referenced in several TV shows like Spaced etc).
I knew Danny was well regarded and the late 80’s was the height of Grange Hill’s viewing figures, but I didn’t for a minute realise Danny’s character would get a (very) minor quirky ‘cult’ status. Again, hats off to the BBC and all the talented people that wrote, produced and filmed the show for great characters and scripts.
You were involved with the Just Say No campaign; what are your memories of this?
Only a little – I was in the video but that was really it. I can’t sing.
What are your favourite memories from your time playing Danny?
Aside from all the great people I met, I can’t pick particular occasions – it’s between the fun and creativity of our rehearsal weeks and just being on the actual set when you have a really good scene to do. There’s genuinely a shiver down your spine as you walk in the studio doors, the crew’s waiting and the lights are low. A unique feeling.
Do you have a favourite episode?
From ones Danny is in, Series 9, Episode 12 I think? It had loads of great scenes for Danny, which was wonderful as an actor. But karma strikes of course – I think after that episode Danny disappears for most of the rest of the series. 12-7 is great too…huge rows with Bronson and McClusky…stealing Bronson’s car…knowing what comes next.
Do you have any bad memories of your time there?
Not really. I had a chance to get into the TV production side of things, which I inexplicably turned down. And the waiting around for filming, often locked in tutoring rooms. Acting is 98% waiting.
What have you been doing since you left Grange Hill?
I became a journalist primarily, among other things. Unlike any possible career in acting I might have had, I’ve been lucky enough not to be out of work!
How do you look back on your time in the series?
As extremely fortunate. It was the most amazing experience, and I got to meet so many interesting, lovely people among the cast, crew and viewers. For a 12-13 year old it was mind blowing and enormous fun and it does change your life. In some ways it slightly ruins you to be so lucky at that young age, but what a privilege.
Did you expect your role in Grange Hill to be remembered 25+ years later?
Not for one moment. But I’m so glad it had such a positive impact on some people’s lives it remains important to them.
Do you keep in touch with anyone from your time on Grange Hill?
Not as much as I’d like to. Very occasionally. Where does the time go?
If he’d not died, what do you think Danny would have gone on to do?
His death was an elaborate plot…who do you think the graffiti artist Banksy is…
© 2022 Grange Hill Gold – not to be reproduced without permission.
With grateful thanks to Jonathan Lambeth.
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