“Band of Brothers” is a critically acclaimed miniseries that brings to life the harrowing and heroic experiences of Easy Company, a unit of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, during World War II. Based on the book by historian Stephen E. Ambrose, the series was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and first aired in 2001. Spanning ten gripping episodes, “Band of Brothers” follows the journey of these brave soldiers from their initialtraining at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, through to the capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. The series is lauded not only for its historical accuracy and compelling storytelling but also for its authentic portrayal of the deep bonds formed between the men of Easy Company, reflecting the camaraderie, sacrifices, and resilience that defined their experience.
I have been lucky enough to have conversations with the cast members of “Band of Brothers.” These conversations have offered invaluable insights into the making of the show and the enduring legacy of the real-life heroes it honours. Through these interviews, a deeper understanding of the meticulous research, emotional investment, and genuine respect that went into the creation of “Band of Brothers” is revealed, underscoring why it is still a beloved and timeless tribute to the Greatest Generation.
Welcome to my latest interview.
For those people who do not recognise the name Robin Laing, would you be kind enough to share a few sentences about yourself.
I am an actor from Dundee, Scotland and I have been working professionally for over thirty years now (my first job was aged 14 or 15 at Dundee Rep). I’ve been lucky enough to work all over the world, across all the various media and genres. I also now narrate audiobooks from my wee home studio!
I know from my research that you got the acting bug incredibly young. How young were you?
My mother sent me to the local childrens theatre when I was about 8 years old, just for something to do, and I have been doing it ever since! My time at “Angus Childrens Theatre” and then “Carnoustie Theatre Club” was a real grounding in the nuts-and-bolts of being on stage.
What was life like at Arbroath Theatre Company & Fife College?
My college life began at Dundee College, under the wonderful Sheila Allan. That was a one-year course where I made friends that have stayed with me to this day. I then studied for a further year at Fife College in Kirkcaldy, under Jackie Whymark and Simon Abbott – a fabulous pair of tutors. We had a lot of fun there and produced a couple of cracking end-of-year productions – “The Acid House” and “MacBeth” – that really stretched us all as actors.
What was your first production after college?
My first professional role post-college came after nearly a year of working in a hotel. I went to see a piece of theatre (Trainspotting) and saw the director, Harry Gibson, in the bar afterwards. I asked him to keep me in mind for future productions and, give him his due, he did! I auditioned for one show, which I didn’t get, and then he cast me in a touring production of “Trainspotting”!
I started rehearsals the week after I turned twenty, under the expert eye of Nicola McCartney, and had a whirlwind introduction to life as a professional actor, alongside Paul Riley, Gabriel Quigley, and Billy Boyd (yes, Pippin from “Lord of the Rings”!).
Can you talk about the audition process of Band. How long it lasted and whether you were always reading for Babe.
I first heard about “Band of Brothers” through actor-friends – it seemed like every male actor, under thirty in London was talking about it. When I called my agent, it turned out I’d already been submitted for it. The audition process was lengthy, with everyone reading for various parts and having anything between three and six call-backs over a few months.
The final audition was with Tom Hanks in the room, so we all hoped that meant we were getting close! He was very nice and worked hard to make you feel relaxed – I suppose he knows that actors are able to give their best when they’re not nervous. I’d read the book by this point, so knew the story of Easy Company and the men. I’d also read for the part of “Heffron” but, given it was one of many, I didn’t know what, if anything, I was going to be offered.
When you are playing someone who is alive and well, I would imagine there is an added pressure, more so given the historical context you were also dealing with. What research did you do?
We were all sent packs by HBO, with video and audio cassettes, as well as a telephone number for “your” veteran, if they were still alive and willing to talk. I had a little trouble contacting Babe, as he was not a man for sitting at home! I spoke to Bill Guarnere, which was hugely useful (veterans are very uncomfortable talking about themselves but delight in telling stories of their comrades!) and, eventually, I managed to catch Babe at home, and we talked for a long time.
He was very forthcoming, despite the reticence I mentioned. I think he felt that it was important to be as open as he could, in spite of how difficult it might be, so that the show had the best opportunity possible to tell the mens’ stories as faithfully as we could. It was during that conversation that he mentioned his Rosary and the Scapula that had been given to him by his family to keep close during his time overseas.
You carried three things in filming – dog tags, rosary, and scapula. What was the importance of that for you?
These were the personal effects that Babe carried through the war and so, for me, it was important that they existed in the show too. They might never be seen, I reckoned, but the fact that the production and I had made sure they were present and correct I hoped would reassure Babe that he and his comrades’ stories were being taken seriously.
On a personal level, putting those items on each morning reminded me of why I was there and that I had a duty of care to represent Babe and his story as best as I could.
I know from my reading that you had a great relationship with Babe until his passing. When did you first meet him?
I first met Babe, along with Bill, when they visited the set of “Band of Brothers” in England. It was a busy day on set and the sense of excitement was palpable. They were in London for a week or so and we spent quite a few nights out with them. They were always the last men standing!
What stories can you tell me about your time with Babe?
Babe, if he liked you, had all the time in the world for you. He would do anything for you.
Nothing was too much trouble. I was once touring the US with a play, the Greek tragedy, Medea, and we were going to perform for a week in Washington DC. Babe and his family drove up to see the show and stayed overnight so we could hang out. The distance was immaterial. The play was almost incidental. I was in DC and so he was coming over. No questions asked!
Anything else from Band that you would love to share…. I’d love to hear.
While filming in Austria, if you were late for your pick-up at the start of the day, the unit runners, who could ask to be let into an actor’s hotel room, would come in and take a Polaroid picture of you in bed. These would then be pinned up on the “Wall of Shame.” Some actors featured much more heavily than others but I am not at liberty to say who!
What’s next for you?
At time of writing, I’ve just finished filming a six-part TV comedy for the BBC, called “Only Child,” which was tremendous fun. And just this week next I recorded my dear friend Olly Emanuel’s posthumous audio drama, which was written while he was suffering from incurable brain cancer. That was a difficult couple of days, but it was with a group of wonderful people, who all knew and loved him, and I was so proud to be able to speak his words one last time.
As my conversation with Robin Laing draws to a close, it has been clear that his journey as an actor is as rich and varied as the characters he has portrayed. From his early beginnings in Scottish theatre to the international acclaim he received for his role in “Band of Brothers,” Robin’s dedication to his craft and the genuine connections he formed with the real-life heroes he portrayed shine through. His deep respect for Babe Heffron and the men of Easy Company is evident, reflecting the profound impact these experiences have had on his life. As he continues to take on new roles and projects, Robin’s passion for storytelling will remain as strong as ever, ensuring that his work will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.
