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Trapped in the rubble of a collapsing building in the first episode, Al is confronted with the very real possibility that he will die. It comes down to Anya, trapped with him, to bolster his morale and remind him that happiness and maybe even love are still possible in this post-apocalyptic world.

As the series progresses, Al continues to act as a father figure to Naj while he also begins a secret romance with Sarah. Might they finally find happiness amidst this harsh new world?

How does the new series kick off?

"We started immediately from where we finished off. We hit the ground running. Al, Anya (Zoe Tapper) and Tom (Max Beesley) enter a burning hospital looking for medicine, antiseptic or some sort of equipment to help Greg with this potentially fatal wound, and the hospital collapses around them, it's already burning and I guess the structure is very weak. Al is buried with Anya and is fighting for his life. She basically keeps him alive and coaches him to keep him strong until help comes.

"It's during this near-death moment he really takes a look at his life – the lifestyle, the actions that have brought him to this point and what his life has been, and he has an epiphany – he has never been in love, it's something that he feels he would be good at, he also realises that he has a responsibility to Najid (Chahak Patel) and even says to Anya: 'tell him if he asks, if I don't survive this, that I was strong', so things kind of fall into place for Al in regards to who he is, what his responsibilities are and what he would like if he get out of there alive."

What was it like filming those scenes?

"We went underground to the basement of this disused building; it was damp, cold and dark. Using props, the production built this set – which looked like real rubble – and they inserted me into this very narrow hole and poured dust all over me. There was very little space to put the camera, the shots were taken through cracks, little areas where light might shine from above, so you really get that sense of claustrophobia, that sense of just being alone. The only way I could move in that confined space was by lying on my back and the camera picked up what ever it could. You can't really rehearse those scenes, it was all naturalistic and very little acting was required."

So is love on the cards for Al in series two?

"Al becomes more aware of the dynamics of the sensibilities of the group after the incident at the hospital, and one member of the group especially, Sarah (Robyn Addison). He is the only one that picks up that something has happened to Sarah in episode one. He offers his sympathy, and from there what is a kind act of friendship turns into romance and he basically ends up falling in love, which is something he's never done before, something he realises he wants during that near-death experience. So we see a sensitive, much more open Al than we really did last year."

Has the womaniser been tamed?

"Somewhat, but there's still that little sparkle in his eye, he still likes the ladies, but I think the idea of being intimate in a personal nature in a relationship is something that is appealing to him and is something that he needs and has never had."

Why should people tune in?

"As great as last year was, we only had six episodes to present the characters and the world in which we are now living in, and now we get to have an adventure in that world! The new series is much more dynamic, much more action-driven and there's more of a sense of purpose with regard to what we need and the immediacy of getting that.

"There's a shorthand with the characters because we know each other better, so that familiarity helps; we get the chance to look at the characters in a complex way. It's a character-driven, action-adventure drama, so you get a bit of both worlds. There's nothing quite like this on British television, which is really exciting."

What was it like filming in Birmingham?

"As much as I love Manchester, and the whole music scene, I think the show needed a change of environment. We're in danger and on the run from episode six to episode one of the new series, so we needed that change.

"There were some great locations in the city and, outside the city itself, some beautiful countryside: Chepstow, Stratford and Worcester were gorgeous. I don't live here anymore, or haven't been, and just to get back and see the English countryside... and the summer was better than we had last year.

"We don't really shoot anything on a set on Survivors, nothing is really constructed; everything is on location. You can't build a 12th century cottage, house or these manor homes we were shooting in, and it looks a million dollars on screen. So the production of the show is exceptional."

What did you do between filming series one and two?

"I was lucky enough to work with Steven Spielberg on Tintin, Peter Jackson is also involved as well. So that was a dream come true to work with one of the most successful directors of all time, and one of my heroes.

"I did Dario's Fo, a play for my theatre company, Open Fist. It is a satire about the legal system.

"I recently completed filming the movie The Space Between with Melissa Leo, who was nominated for an Oscar for Frozen River. I am lucky, very lucky."

How do you relax?

"I love travelling. I will be in Argentina for Christmas and the New Year, I also love eating, music and going to concerts."