From TV & Satellite Week for the week of October 31 to November 6, page 12:

This Week on TV

Q&A with Dominic Monaghan

The FlashForward star talks incects, hobbits, and returning to Lost

What can you tell us about your FlashForward character, Simon?

Simon is one of the smartest guys in the world. He graduated from university w hen he was 14, got a PhD when he was 15, and is on his way to the Nobel Prize for his work in quantum physics. He's also narcissistic and has a very hard time interacting with other people. Trust me, he has a profound effect on the show.

Would you like to be given a glimpse of the future like in FlashForward?

I would like to know some stuff. If I ever have children, I would like to know that they were happy, and that I brought them up well and they didn't resent me.

What's it like working with so many other Brits in the cast?

There's a real camaraderie. Jack Davenport and I are both football fans. Well, you can't really call him a football fan because he supports Arsenal. I'm a Manchester United fan, so he gets to learn a lot about football.

What do you miss most about England?

The Sunday papers, United, my family, pubs, the wry sense of humour, David Attenborough, and an English summer which lasts four days.

What's been your toughest job?

Probably The Lord of the Rings. As hobbits, we would film six days a week, getting in at six because we had to put on our wigs, ears and feet, then working 15-hour days. There was losts of blood and guts and fighting and horseriding.

You've been in The Lord of the Rings, Lost and FlashForward. Are you a big sci-fi fan?

People have called me a sci-fi mascot, but it's not necessarily where my head is at. I love documentaries and I  probably have more American gangster movies in my DVD library than I do sci-fi films.

Do you still have your pet bugs?

I have my snakes, spiders, scorpions, Jerusalem crickets and a praying mantis. I like inscects because they are the most successful animals on the planet and they deserve a lot of respect. They live in the moment and only do the things they need to continue with their evolution -- sleeping, having sex and eating.

I think that's pretty cool.

Will Charlie be back for the final series of Lost?

He is a cool character to play. It will be the show's last season so they are probably thinking of having him come back, but we'll have to wait and see.

Quick CV

Born 8 December 1976, Berlin, Germany

Family He is currently dating Lost star Evangeline Lilly

SCREENHIGHLIGHTS

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996-1998) Got his big break as Patricia Routledge's sleuthing sidekick in the cosy mystery series.

The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) Achieved international fame as hobbit Merry in the blockbuster movie versions of JRR Tolkien's fantasy trilogy.

Lost (2004-2008) Played ill-fated rocker Charlie Pace in the cult castaway drama.

Chuck (2009) Guest-starred as another hedonistic rock star in the 3D episode of the spy comedy drama.