Tom Vaughan Lawlor has admitted he never wanted to leave Love/Hate.
The Dublin actor, who has been playing Nidge for five years, revealed he didn’t want to leave the RTE drama but he understood Nidge’s reign had to come to an end.
The Dublin actor has played gangster Nidge for five years, and it’s clear his departure from the show is a bittersweet experience.
“There was never a discussion where I said I wanted to leave the show,” Tom admitted.
Dead: The reign of Nidge is over | RTE
“Stuart (the writer) and I discussed it, about the journey of a character and their arc.
“He kind of follows a classic five act structure, with a climax in act three with the death of Darren, act four is more reflective and pensive, act five is the climax of his death,” he said.
“It’s a relief in one way to finish in terms of getting over a finish line but terribly sad as well for it to end,” he added.
While fans have been hoping Nidge will return, Tom said the show won’t follow in the footsteps of Dallas and it won’t turn out that Nidge was just dreaming.
“You can’t continue with that character. I don’t think you could justify it. There’ll be no Bobby Ewing in the shower,” he said.
Interview: Tom spoke about Nidge’s death on Newstalk with Pat Kenny
Speaking to Pat Kenny on The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk, Tom said there was no way Nidge could survive.
“The doors were closing on him and there was only so many time he can escape.
“It was brilliant the pressure applied to him from so many aspects – Patrick, Fran, Terrence. He was really up against it. It was kind of coming.”
While Tom has now moved on from the show and is currently on stage at The Olympia starring in Howie The Rookie, he admitted he will always be known as Nidge.
Sad: Tom said leaving the series was difficult | RTE
“It’s inevitable. I was talking to Peter (Coonan) maybe last year about being identified as these characters and he said, ‘I think that ship has sailed’.”
Meanwhile Tom opened up about what it was like to play Ireland’s favourite TV character.
“Getting the head shaved, the runners and the gear, you get quickly into character. I’ll miss the swagger of that man.”
Speaking of Nidge’s “gear” Tom admitted everyone has been asking about his custom made runners which had King Nidge stitched into them, even his wife wants to see them.
Dead: Tom won’t be returning to Love/Hate | RTE
“My wife asked, ‘Where are the runners?’ and I said, ‘Ah, I didn’t keep them’ and she said, ‘You have to keep the runners!’” he laughed.
“It’s that funny thing about attachments to things. I’ve no idea where they are to be honest. Maybe it’s just another form of letting go.”
While Tom definitely won’t be back for season six, Tom said he hopes the series will continue.
“I think what is always been about is a tapestry of characters, an ensemble of individuals,” he explained.
Moving on: Tom knows he’ll always be known as Nidge |RTE
“It survived the departure of John Boy, it survived the departure of Darren, and it can survive the departure of Nidge.
“A nice appetite is there. People love the show. If they want it to go on it’ll go on.”
