One of the more intriguing personalities in the community is vicar Paul Coates, played by Arthur Darvill. As Series 2 opened he was revealed to be playing more dangerous games than a chessmaster in a war zone. Not only did he visit the incarcerated Joe in secret, he became unholy with Becca Fisher, who Mark Latimer bedded in Series 1. He went on to encourage Beth to meet a group of reformed offenders in the church and eventually betrayed Joe by abandoning him to the wrath of the locals. Coates is an unknown quantity and blows in the wind. Further misguided actions may result in him being murdered, but it's juicier to imagine Chibnall darkening his role a bit for Series 3. He and Darvill have a long-established working relationship from Doctor Who and despite the actor being best known for affable parts his stage work is much meatier, as his recent turn as Long John Silver at the National Theatre attested.
I am a journalist and comedian who enjoys American movies of the 70s, Amicus horror compendiums, Doctor Who, Twin Peaks, Naomi Watts and sitting down. My short fiction has been published as part of the Iris Wildthyme range from Obverse Books.
