A handsome new doc is about to make his mark on ITV1's '60s-set hospital drama The Royal, writes Jonathan Donald.

Headstrong Nick Burnett (Damian O'Hare), will turn heads and spark conflict. "He's part of the new order who clashes with the Victorian ideals of the old order," says Damian, 30.

"I'm all open collars, leather jackets and jeans but very quickly everyone knows he's a wonderful doctor."

Burnett makes some entrance. In episode one, he's on his way to start work when his train derails and carnage ensues. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

"I think it's the most expensive episode they've done, and I was overwhelmed," says Damian.

"The weather was also a factor. It was like a tropical thunderstorm when we did it. It was a nightmare to film but I'm very proud of the results."

Damian thoroughly enjoyed his first Royal series and is open to doing more.But he has one grievance - his car.

"Carnegie has this beautiful E-type Jag and Mr Rose has this Silver Lady Roller which is gorgeous, and I've got a funny wee Ford Cortina," says the amiable actor, who's got a girlfriend, a journalist, but doesn't name her.

"It's like driving an old bone rattler. I did have car envy."

Landing the role of a doctor was a strange irony for Belfast-born Damian, who turned his back on the medical tradition in his family to act.

His father is a doctor of pharmacy at The Royal in Belfast and his two younger sisters are studying medicine.

"I've fast-tracked to becoming doctor without studying," he laughs. "My family find it very amusing and will be looking to see if I make any mistakes."

Damian is no acting novice. He's been in dramas such as Ultimate Force and is currently in The Revenger's Tragedy at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.

His biggest credit has been Pirates Of The Caribbean in which he played the bumbling naval officer Lt Gillette.

"It was wonderful to work on," says Damian. "And Johnny Depp is flawless. There wasn't a wrinkle on him and he's a nice bloke - makes you sick really."

"The first read through was at The Viper Rooms in LA," continues Damian.

"I had Johnny sitting opposite, Geoffrey Rush and Jonathan Pryce on either side. And I was looking out the window on to Sunset Strip and the Whisky A Go Go where The Doors played their first gig. I'm a huge Doors fan.

"It was out of this world man and the memory will stay with me forever."
The Royal, ITV1, June 22, 8pm