Danny Bang!: British Special Effects Titan

From Doctor Who to The Expendables, Londoner-turned-honorary-Welshman Danny Hargreaves has masterminded explosions for TV’s biggest hits and Hollywood blockbusters.

Living in a Cardiff lock-up surrounded by rats, mice, and prostitutes, 24-year-old special effects technician (SFX) Danny Hargreaves was begging, borrowing, and stealing kit. With newborn baby Harry to support, he vowed to better himself.

Today, Danny and Real SFX are the unsung heroes of the biggest TV shows and blockbuster films. He remains the only person to have worked on all 188 modern Doctor Who episodes, including Ncuti Gatwa’s latest season airing in spring and new spin-off, The War Between Land and Sea.

“It’s the ultimate job for problem-solving. From big fire sequences to water and weather effects, it’s about adapting and reacting,” he says.

Danny’s journey began lying about his age for work experience at a London-based SFX company in the 1990s. Grinning mischievously, he recalls: “I said I was 16, but really I was much younger than that; I was 14.” Prime-time UK productions Hornblower and London’s Burning followed, before landing every teenager’s dream job, Star Wars. “I’m a massive fan, so working on the prequels and seeing stormtroopers running around was incredible,” Danny says.

On March 26, Doctor Who’s revival celebrates its 20^th anniversary, a milestone that’s as much Danny’s as the hit sci-fi series. Since 2004, he had worked on Who as a young SFX technician-turned-supervisor; he reflects on the conversation four years later that changed his life: “The company I worked for on Doctor Who lost their contract. With Matt Smith coming in, the BBC needed a trusted SFX lead and suggested I start my own business. ‘F**k, ok’, I thought. Next minute, I’m handed a million-pound contract, and Real SFX is born.”

A lock-up in Splott became home, while every paycheque serviced Real SFX and Harry. Before long, Danny was on a cold, wet South Wales beach with Matt. “It was our first day in new roles. Despite both bricking it, we were incredibly excited to start this adventure together,” he says. “Doctor Who’s been ever-present for 20 years of my life. There’s been tears and stress, but it’s been a hell of a ride,” Danny explains, revealing a sprawling warehouse containing ‘Flatlines’ shrunken-TARDIS-prop and Cybermen.

The 46-year-old’s adventures in space and time springboarded him to productions like Sherlock and Peaky Blinders. Yet, Danny’s most unforgettable moment happened not behind the camera, but in front.

“In Peaky’s finale, I blew up the Shelby mansion. During rehearsal, Cillian Murphy said, ‘Danny, less panto’. Doing the explosion in-shot was less nerve-wracking than the acting!. Unfortunately, Stephen Knight declined a Danny Bang spin-off,” he chuckles.

A year later, a remarkable opportunity came to work on the world’s biggest action franchise, The Expendables. “I went along to the first meeting in Bulgaria, and everyone got sacked after a fallout with Jason [Statham] except me, which was hilarious. Working with my hero Sylvester Stallone was fantastic, though I can’t say the film was the greatest,” he admits.

For Danny, a world-class, Welsh-based company serving major American and high-end TV productions is important. “Real SFX is the industry’s poster company here, and we’re expanding regionally to create more opportunities,” he reveals. Danny believes the best in SFX have always come from the UK, calling Neil and Chris Corbould “SFX rock stars”.

Although CGI use is increasing, Danny insists: “Smoke and wind make sets feel alive,” maintaining they are still in-demand.

Danny’s never measured success by awards, but winning an Emmy for Sherlock’s 2015 special was a career highlight: “I’d won seven BAFTAs, but the Emmy came when I was low on motivation and money. That award gave me the fire to move forward.” His proudest achievement, however, is developing top-notch SFX technicians: “I don’t like losing my team, but seeing beginners grow into SFX professionals within three years is amazing.”

Sharing an insight into what’s next, Danny says: “I’m supervising Netflix’s Prisoner and spending spring in Jamaica with Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Sky’s supernatural thriller Inheritance.”

Awards aside, “Hearing Harry say, ‘You inspired me’, makes all the struggle worthwhile,” concludes Danny.