The Leftovers and Safe House actor speaks about his role as an American soldier and why TV is the perfect format for this story.

Who do you play in the show and how does he fit into the plot?

I play General Arnold Gaines, and he is the most senior US army officer, who deals with the White House and the scientists who are trying to save the world. That's his function, but as a person he is complex. You see him as this cigar-chewing soldier, scaring the living daylights out of everybody, but then he has a domestic life that turns all of that on its head. He's a fun character to play.

Have you enjoyed playing an American?

It's fun to be American because the character is fun. You get a different point of view every time you do a different accent, as your world-view changes. I really enjoy doing it, it's a treat.

What was it that attracted you to the show as a whole?

I read the script and I thought, yes. I'm a big fan of Mathew Baynton and I think he's slowly realising, in a creepy way, just how big a fan of his I am. I've only had one scene with him so far and that was fantastic, but I think he's a really great talent.

How would you describe the series?

It's quite a complex story, isn't it? Something for everyone, that would be the way I would describe it. There's action, religion, war, crazy behaviour, thoughtfulness... It's a big mash-up of things. It's really rich.

And on a really big scale, too?

Massive! It's like a movie on TV, which means, actually, you can deal with the domestic things that still need to happen when you've got a whole month before the end of the world. If it was the end of the world in a couple of hours it would be very different.

If there was news of an impending apocalypse, how would you like to spend your final days?

I'd definitely want to spend it with my son. It wouldn't really matter where we were as long as I was with people I love. Maybe I'd get a big house in the country and have everyone round for a party.

Why should Sky 1 viewers tune in?

Because they'll be blown away by the international scale of the series. It's not going to look like any other show on British television and it's funny and moving and dark. I can't wait to watch it.