Actor Jay Taylor has a distinguished resume working in the theater, television and film.   He’s part of the cast of the new audio drama Minister of Chance where he stars as Ilias.  Jay recently talked to Slice of SciFi about his role in this new series.

Slice of SciFi: How did you become interested in The Minister of Chance?

Jay Taylor: I met creator Dan Freeman and producer Clare Eden by chance whilst visiting my former drama school. We discussed the project and it sounded both interesting and unique, so we organised a proper meeting later that week and the rest is history!

Slice of SciFi: Can you tell us a bit more about your role in the series?

Jay Taylor: I play Ilias. He’s a young, naive Sezian soldier, given the duty of guarding the Professor when she becomes captured. He soon realises that there is more to her than meets the eye, and that maybe his own superiors haven’t been as honest with him as he thinks.

Slice of SciFi: What was it like working with a cast that includes several icons from classic British television series?

Jay Taylor: The calibre of actors working on The Minister of  Chance is pretty phenomenal! To work with screen legends such as Jenny Agutter was a real treat, and I was very pleased when I found out I had a big scene with her! I think the audience will enjoy hearing well known voices, but hopefully they can relate to the newcomers too!

Slice of SciFi: How is working on The Minister of Chance different from other audio projects you’ve participated in?

Jay Taylor: Standard radio drama has a lot less to offer than this particular project. The scale and quality of this production allow you to really develop bold, vivid characters, rather than just the flat 2 dimensional ones that you might get from a Radio 4 play for the day!

Jay Taylor: What did you find most interesting about being involved in a “radiophonic series”?  And where do you see this type of entertainment headed in the future?

Jay Taylor: I think this type of entertainment has a lot to offer to a world filled with CGI and big budget special effects based movies. People will always enjoy good drama, and I hope that the high quality of BBC radio drama continues, but this type of Radiophonic Series offers something perhaps to people that wouldn’t necessarily listen to the world service or radio 4. It brings audio drama into the 21st century!

Slice of SciFi: What’s the best way for fans to find the series and show their support?

Jay Taylor: They can find out everything they need to know about how to get it at www.ministerofchance.com but basically buys the eps, and if they like it, tell mates, FB or tweet it, anything at all to help spread the word!

Slice of SciFi: What else can  we see you in ?

Jay Taylor: I have made several feature films in the last few years, including DONKEY PUNCH, RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER and BLOODED, and George Lucas’ forthcoming feature RED TAILS which will be released later in 2011. I am also about to begin filming on a new Channel 4 series called NAKED APES, a comedy drama starring Kayvan Novak (Fonejacker), which will screen on channel 4 later this year.

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You can find The Minister of Chance HERE.  You can view a free prologue to the series and the first episode is now available for purchase and download