Actor Alex Norton, renowned for his portrayal of Eric in the popular BBC sitcom "Two Doors Down," recently shared an emotional account of the cast and crew's reunion to pay tribute to the late co-creator and writer, Simon Carlyle. Carlyle, who passed away in 2023 at just 48 years old, was unequivocally described by Norton as "the beating heart of the series" and the visionary behind its original concept. As filming commenced for a new festive episode, an event many believed would never transpire, director Ben Gosling-Fuller delivered a poignant speech. This address served to unite the stars, including Elaine C Smith, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, and Arabella Weir, in a collective remembrance and celebration of Simon's indelible legacy. Norton confessed that reflecting on that moment, even now, evokes strong emotions, underscoring the profound grief and the shared resolve to honor Carlyle.

The future of "Two Doors Down" appeared highly uncertain following Carlyle's untimely death. There were no immediate plans for the comedy to continue, and a scheduled live show at the Hydro in Glasgow had been shelved indefinitely. However, to the immense delight of its dedicated fanbase, a festive episode successfully aired on Christmas Eve, and an array of live shows at the country’s largest venue are now confirmed for the upcoming year. Norton, aged 75, expressed his genuine surprise at the show's unexpected revival, admitting, "We all thought after his tragic death that would be the end of it." He further revealed that Gregor Sharp, Simon’s co-writer, initially felt he could not continue without his creative partner but was ultimately persuaded to return. Norton speculated that Sharp might have privately felt that his return was a valuable endeavor that would not, in any way, diminish Simon's memory.

A significant indicator of the show's unanticipated comeback and the BBC's initial lack of certainty was the fate of its original sets. Norton disclosed that, assuming the series had concluded, BBC bosses had the sets dismantled after storing them for a period to conserve space. Consequently, every element required for the current production had to be meticulously rebuilt from scratch. This substantial investment in entirely new sets has led Norton to speculate about the show’s potential longevity, suggesting that such an expense might indicate more than just a solitary special. He pondered, "If this is the only one they do then it’s a fitting tribute to Simon, but who knows? It’s up to Gregor if he wants to do it, if he has more plots.”

Delving into his portrayal of Eric, the character who, alongside Arabella Weir's role, forms the central anchor of the Latimer Crescent shenanigans since the pilot episode 12 years ago, Alex Norton unveiled a deeply personal source of inspiration. He revealed that he consciously drew upon his own intricate relationship with his father during his formative years in Glasgow’s Gorbals. Upon first encountering the script, Norton found it to be a “breath of fresh air,” particularly noting Eric’s journey of accepting his gay son. This narrative strongly resonated with Norton’s own past, where his father grappled with accepting his son's ambition to become an actor, instead desiring him to pursue the family trade as a plumber.

Norton recounted this period as one marked by “terrible rows,” which ultimately compelled him to leave home. He candidly confessed that now, as a father of three, he has gained a deeper understanding of his own dad’s perspective, which was rooted in a desire for his son to secure a stable and decent living – a financial security that plumbing offered more readily than acting during that era. Nevertheless, Norton remained resolute in his chosen career, seizing the opportunity to act with unwavering determination. A pivotal and transformative moment in their relationship occurred when his father, after witnessing his performance in John Byrne’s “Writer’s Cramp,” openly acknowledged, “Listen – all those rows and fights we had. I was wrong, you were right.” This profound validation, Norton concluded, signified that he no longer needed to prove himself to his father, a sentiment that subtly parallels Eric's journey of acceptance of his own son within the sitcom.