Minder He could be so good for you!

He might not wear the trademark trilby hat, but Archie Daly is definitely a chip off the old block, says new Minder star Shane Ritchie.

How did you come to play Archie Daly?
"My first reaction was that no one remakes Minder! We came to the conclusion that we'd reinvent the whole show and that's basically what we've done. It’s been a blast and I think we've pulled it off."

Were you a fan of the original show?
"Most definitely. I loved watching it as a kid."

Will this appeal to an older and a new generation?
"There's a whole generation like myself who grew up with the original so I'm hoping that they will tune in out of curiosity. And I think if they see the first episode they'll get hooked and come back again. They'll probably be our harshest critics and I understand it. It's like when you change Doctor Who; you can't imagine anyone else doing it."

How has the series changed?
"The pace and how up to date it is both visually and musically. It's very much in the style of a Guy Ritchie movie. The look of it and the vastness and the backdrop of London. And everything’s heightened – the criminals and storylines. It's what the Americans do so well."

Any sign of the hat and coat?
"No, I've got sharp, Savile Row suits. If you liked Alfie Moon you’re going to love Archie Daly. They've got a lot of similarities; they're loveable rogues and eternal optimists."

Do you think it is as good as the original?
"I like it because it's very different to anything else that's on television. It's very uplifting. It's got hope that there is a way out of this credit crunch. It's slapstick, endearing and it's for the whole family, too."

Interview by Elaine Reilly