Joe Rowson first appeared on screen as a promising child actor in the 1980’s, starring in several breakfast cereal advertisements. Once tagged ‘the British Macaulay Culkin’ by an elderly relative, the world seemed to be at his feet. However there was then a 15-year hiatus before Rowson’s stunning film debut in FOTDL IV. The reason for this long resting period has never been discovered. Despite Rowson’s insistence that it was to develop his education in order to realise his potential as a character actor, there is still speculation over whether he fully recovered after being pipped to the post to the role of the milkybar kid in 1988, and it is still a subject that he appears cagey about. “I don’t even like milkybars- they’re sicky.’
Casted in controversy for FOTDL IV, relationships with director Reg Noyes and star Harri Grace were strained to begin with, with reports suggesting that Rowson was thought of as a liability and untrustworthy. “At first Reg and Harri were slightly suspicious of me and doubtful of my ability to handle the pressure of movie making. It wasn’t long though, until they saw my talents and I soon earned the nickname ‘one take wonder’” This is a name still affectionately used by Noyes, although whilst filming part V, tellingly without Rowson, he hinted at its true origins. “It was either going to be one take or one hundred takes- there was no point wasting everybody’s time.”
As the FOTDL franchise began to grow and grow, and with the introduction of the new characters in part IV, Rowsons performance of the Rowsonator, earned him cult status amongst FOTDL fans. Constant demand over Rowsonator merchandise and media attention towards Rowson meant that Noyes was left with little option but to recast him in a new role for FOTDL VI, specifically written with him in mind. “The Chef was a dream part for me. It brought together my first two loves of acting and cooking. So yes, I was disappointed when I realised that there wasn’t even a fucking oven on set.”
As the question ‘Chef or Rowsonator?’ continues to be debated in film clubs across the country, one side of the debate will be delighted to hear the news that Rowson is to reprise his role as the Rowsonator in the upcoming part VII.
Contact Joe at fotdl@firstonetodieloses.org.uk
