Part 2 of our For Fans Only interview with Philip Winchester picks up exactly where we left off last week. Having discussed family, acting and of course Strike Back, we learned a great deal about what keeps our favorite actor grounded and motivated. This week: that perfect role, fans and the fan page and the perfect car for bopping around Montana (and why, quite possibly, he shouldn't be allowed to drive it.)
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Ok, so let’s touch on acting and characters again for a bit. If you could write your own perfect role,
what would that be? But…you can't say Stonebridge. It has to be something new.
It can't be
Stonebridge. Yeah, I was just going to say... *laughs*
It's funny, you know,
I'll meet up with Sully here in New York and it always, always turns into a trip down memory lane. A "Do you remember…? Oh, my gosh, we
were so lucky!" The joke is now,
between me and my agent, when we're talking about other jobs, they say “You
won't get another job like Strike Back
again so stop asking, because that job was a unicorn.”
And I told that to the guys and the gals (the
current cast) when we went over and did Strike
Back. It was episodes 9 and 10 and they were just getting their asses kicked!
And I said, "I remember that, but I promise you guys, promise you guys, you will miss this with everything in you
because you will never, ever do this again. So just soak it up."
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| With the Strike Back Retribution cast: Roxanne McKee, Dan Macpherson, Warren Brown, missing Alin Sumarwata |
So…I suppose
"the dream role" would be to have MJ in the driver's seat, a bit of
creative control over the material, and an action-based role that's smart like
Stonebridge and working with people that you love. I think the family around it,
you know, working with Mike Spragg or working with Jean-Philippe (Gossart) the
directors of photography from Strike Back,
working with a team of people who I remember and love and trust. So that you
can rock up on that first day, boots on the ground and just start making
something. You don't have to work into it, you know? There's so many great
characters out there that we haven't seen pop up for years.
We see the Tom Clancy characters coming out now. I watched John Krasinski in…?
We see the Tom Clancy characters coming out now. I watched John Krasinski in…?
Jack Ryan?
Yes, Jack Ryan! That pilot episode was...I don't know if you've seen it? It is so, so good.
Yes I have and yes I definitely agree!
He does such a good job. I'm not saying I want to do that but you know, I've still got my knees. *laughs* I can still run around, I still like to jump around. And I want to use that while I can. I've got plenty of time just to slow down later on. So if I could do something a little more physical in the future, but use the drama and the stillness and what I'm learning over on SVU. That would be great!
Yes, Jack Ryan! That pilot episode was...I don't know if you've seen it? It is so, so good.
Yes I have and yes I definitely agree!
He does such a good job. I'm not saying I want to do that but you know, I've still got my knees. *laughs* I can still run around, I still like to jump around. And I want to use that while I can. I've got plenty of time just to slow down later on. So if I could do something a little more physical in the future, but use the drama and the stillness and what I'm learning over on SVU. That would be great!
And I don't know what that role is. I don't
know what the name of that character is yet or where it would be or how it
would look. But there's definitely a middle ground somewhere between the SVU and the Strike Back that would be really enjoyable with a great ensemble.
And, of course, you know, of course, ya gotta travel to amazing places like
Cape Town and then Thailand, and then Budapest...
Of, course! *laughs*
...and then do London. You have to do that, that's the best part! *laughs*
Well, and of course get the Strike Back writers on board then, heck yeah I’m all-in! I would be thrilled! And, yes, the first episode of “Jack Ryan” is terrific and I can’t wait for it to start.
Of, course! *laughs*
...and then do London. You have to do that, that's the best part! *laughs*
Well, and of course get the Strike Back writers on board then, heck yeah I’m all-in! I would be thrilled! And, yes, the first episode of “Jack Ryan” is terrific and I can’t wait for it to start.
[Jack
Ryan is an Amazon Original series starring John Krasinski, Wendall Pierce, and Ali Suliman. It is now streaming. Check out the trailer here: Jack Ryan Official Trailer]
So smart and tense and it keeps slowly building.
That slow burn, I mean, that crazy slow burn where you're like, "Really? Are we just going to have a bunch of arguments inside the CIA building?" and then, wham, the last 20 minutes! You're just floored and you're going, "Okay. Okay. Well done. That was amazing. That was amazing TV!"
Right?! And
even when that all hits, it’s been such a slow, tense burn and then so focused on Ryan for
so long that, even though you know it’s coming, the set up is clear, you’re
just not ready for how truly intense the
action is. It’s great!
We actually
watched the pilot at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival this summer when we
were there with Mariska because she was getting the Crystal Nymph Award. And I
think everyone thought the same thing - “Really? We're going to sit here and
watch the pilot?" And everybody was like, "Let's go out to dinner,
let's go hang out on the beach."
Just
slightly! *laughs* Well, because you can see it. When it's that good and you
can just see how much fun people are having with such great material, you
can't help but be a little jealous because, man, that's one great time!
[So there ya have it, I think we both just agreed the "perfect role" is "Slightly Older Stonebridge." What can you do? Perfect is perfect.]
Yes! And the fun comes out of the hard work. You could see that they were just
busting, you know, they were busting their asses! My analogy is I remember growing
up on a ranch or in England when I lived at the farm with my grandmother at the
bed and breakfast, I would do hay making in the summertime. And you stack hay
all day and you're on the tractor all day…
[So there ya have it, I think we both just agreed the "perfect role" is "Slightly Older Stonebridge." What can you do? Perfect is perfect.]
Oh you don't
have to tell me! I’ve done hay making and will be doing it again soon. (6
farms, one sprained ankle, literally tons of hard work and immeasurable good times with good friends
later, I am done haying for 2018!)
Yeah right! So you know! You go have a shower and you go have a pint and that shower never feels better and the beer never tastes as good as when you earn it. And the same comes with shows. And what's great about SVU is I'm learning to earn it and taste it in a different way. You know, when you get given these massive closing arguments and you're working with incredible actors who are playing the defense attorneys, there's definitely a feeling of like, "Yeah, man, you have to earn that stuff. You've got to work your ass off to understand the material, to present it in a way that's digestible and human and, if you can do that, then that's a win.
Carl (Weathers) and I always joked when we were on Justice together, because that man has done his fair share of action. And it has a cost, especially back in the day when they didn't have some of the gear that we have now. You'd wrap your arm in a magazine and some gaffer's tape and hope you didn't get hit in the head. There's a cost: there's a physical cost; there's an emotional cost. And so we joked around. We were like, "Hey, I'm just gonna let my body heal for a couple more years and then jump back into it again at the end. You know, we'll see what happens." *laughs*
Yeah right! So you know! You go have a shower and you go have a pint and that shower never feels better and the beer never tastes as good as when you earn it. And the same comes with shows. And what's great about SVU is I'm learning to earn it and taste it in a different way. You know, when you get given these massive closing arguments and you're working with incredible actors who are playing the defense attorneys, there's definitely a feeling of like, "Yeah, man, you have to earn that stuff. You've got to work your ass off to understand the material, to present it in a way that's digestible and human and, if you can do that, then that's a win.
Carl (Weathers) and I always joked when we were on Justice together, because that man has done his fair share of action. And it has a cost, especially back in the day when they didn't have some of the gear that we have now. You'd wrap your arm in a magazine and some gaffer's tape and hope you didn't get hit in the head. There's a cost: there's a physical cost; there's an emotional cost. And so we joked around. We were like, "Hey, I'm just gonna let my body heal for a couple more years and then jump back into it again at the end. You know, we'll see what happens." *laughs*
*laughs!* So then let’s talk about Chicago Justice a bit. The dialogue in Justice was amazing. There are certain scenes that I still re-watch just to get myself pumped up because they were just so well written and so well acted. It was really just fantastic.
It was incredible. The importance of good writing is everything. That's all we have, especially in the courtroom situations or in the office situations. I'll talk to younger actors who come into the courtroom to do stuff and they look at me...sometimes they look at you really wide-eyed as though to say, "Oh my gosh, this is so vulnerable and so exposed." And it is. You have nothing but your words. You have your clothes on your back and you have the words in your heart. That's it.
A favorite: Stone's closing argument from SVU S19E21 Dare
(Loud buzzing noise heard in the background) Yeah. Huh? One second, Debra I have... Someone's ringing my doorbell which has never happened before??
Hello?... Hello? …Yeah, I have no idea. *laughs* It's, again, another New York thing where it's like, "What?"
Yup. Somebody's just walking by pushing buttons or wants in the building. New York.
Yeah, yeah…interesting. New York.
*laughs* Okay, while I regroup a bit with
my notes here for a second, can I answer any questions for you?
Yeah, so how long have you been doing theater up there?
Unfortunately, I'm not doing it right now because, as things go in the theater, the founding executive director retired and the Board hired a new executive director, who then immediately appointed himself the artistic director and brought his own people in, and so...
Yup! *laughs*
Yeah, so how long have you been doing theater up there?
Unfortunately, I'm not doing it right now because, as things go in the theater, the founding executive director retired and the Board hired a new executive director, who then immediately appointed himself the artistic director and brought his own people in, and so...
Yup! *laughs*
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| Hubbard Hall Center for the Arts (my theater) |
That's great
that they have that!
Yes, it is pretty great. Just like Strike Back, the theatre company was just one of those amazing things. Our founding artistic director was actually from this area, a Broadway actor who just wanted a break for a while. He came home and started the theatre company as a mentoring company focused on the classics. It really was just kind of amazing. No money, no time but the right people and the right energy and the next thing you knew we had huge groups of people coming up from New York to see us.
Yes, it is pretty great. Just like Strike Back, the theatre company was just one of those amazing things. Our founding artistic director was actually from this area, a Broadway actor who just wanted a break for a while. He came home and started the theatre company as a mentoring company focused on the classics. It really was just kind of amazing. No money, no time but the right people and the right energy and the next thing you knew we had huge groups of people coming up from New York to see us.
That's so
cool!
Yes,
definitely a special time, as you said “a unicorn,” that lasted ten great
years. My professional background is in Athletic Training (sports medicine) and
then university student affairs administration, both awesome careers but very
demanding. I was getting pretty burned out so I jumped at the offer to stage
manage for him. (The irony of theater being less demanding!)
Yeah, right
on. Good for you.
So now,
people pay me really good money to take care of their animals and farms while
they’re away, which I love, and it gives me the time to do other things I love like lead the
Vet’s PTSD group and this.
Yeah, that sounds fantastic to me! Yeah, right on.
It's really pretty nice. But I do desperately miss the theatre. So we're all sort of waiting for this guy to leave. *laughs*
*laughs* Yeah, I know how that goes. That's a horrible feeling.
Yeah, but what can you do? Like, your Dad says, you just have to live in the moment and let it go.
Yup, his golf analogy that he always said to me with the auditions when I was just starting out was, he said "Just hit it and forget it." And I was like, "All right, I'm going to take that, Dad. Just hit it and forget it." Yeah.
That’s perfect,
because most of the time, those decisions really have nothing to do with you.
That is exactly right.
That is exactly right.
I’d like to
switch gears for just a bit to get some feedback on the fan page (twitter) if that’s ok? I
know you don't get to spend a lot of time on the page so I want to make sure you’re
happy with it and like where it’s going. Anything you’d like to see done differently, better or is there anything you feel is missing?
Oh, my goodness, no. In the amount of time that I have spent sort of walking around it, I'm always amazed at what you're able to find and I'm just incredibly blown away at how genuine it is. And then I'm just amazed that people are interested in it. I can’t believe that it's, you know, a thing. *laughs* So no, you're doing an amazing job. And again, I feel incredibly privileged and honored that you would do that. So it's great.
Oh, my goodness, no. In the amount of time that I have spent sort of walking around it, I'm always amazed at what you're able to find and I'm just incredibly blown away at how genuine it is. And then I'm just amazed that people are interested in it. I can’t believe that it's, you know, a thing. *laughs* So no, you're doing an amazing job. And again, I feel incredibly privileged and honored that you would do that. So it's great.
When I do get
on there, I'll see you tweet something and I'll get on there, I'll click on and
go back through. It's always a trip
down memory lane for me. I'm always like, "Oh, yeah, that's right!"
Because it's so easy to get caught up in the moment or so focused on work that
I lose track but I can get a lot out of that.
There was a Flyboys article on there the other day and I was like, "That's right, 'Flyboys!'" And then I met an actor on set who was really good friends with Tony Bill (director of Flyboys, actor and Academy Award-winning producer and much more…). We had a whole talk about Flyboys and Tony Bill and him being this Hollywood legend and meeting up with him at the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica and stuff like that.
I see things on there that I’ve forgotten. I forget who I've worked with because there are so many people and it's been so many years, but then I’ll see it on the page! I’ll be reminded of what their career is doing and where they're going, and it's just encouraging. So no, I really enjoy it when I get onto it and you do a phenomenal job.
There was a Flyboys article on there the other day and I was like, "That's right, 'Flyboys!'" And then I met an actor on set who was really good friends with Tony Bill (director of Flyboys, actor and Academy Award-winning producer and much more…). We had a whole talk about Flyboys and Tony Bill and him being this Hollywood legend and meeting up with him at the Spitfire Grill in Santa Monica and stuff like that.
I see things on there that I’ve forgotten. I forget who I've worked with because there are so many people and it's been so many years, but then I’ll see it on the page! I’ll be reminded of what their career is doing and where they're going, and it's just encouraging. So no, I really enjoy it when I get onto it and you do a phenomenal job.
Aww, thanks! I try to come up with content that’s
informative and hopefully interesting, a little different. I don't know if you've noticed we've been
doing the "Strike Back Summer" live tweets? The Fans of Philip page
and the Strike Back Crib page together have been doing an episode a week of
Project Dawn and…
Yeah, I have
seen that! And that's great because I'm reminded of certain things and
"Oh, my gosh, that's right." And, the older episodes, the first
season episodes, that was a long time ago now. And just walking through that
and remembering that, it's brilliant! It's brilliant; it's very nostalgic for
me.
Hey that's
great to know because it sure is for us! It's actually quite a lot of fun and
I'm blown away that there are people up at crazy hours all over the world doing
this with us. It’s kind of nuts but also
pretty cool! We've met, “Twitter-met” or
“social media-met,” some great people from all over the world… because of Strike
Back.
Yeah, it's fun to see how the family has grown from, obviously the crew and the cast, to the fans. The fans are, and always have been by the way, the best! I remember that first season being shocked when we walked down the street when Sully and I, we'd go and do press somewhere. We'd be in New York for a weekend or we'd be in LA for an event, like HBO would take us to the Emmy parties, and people knew the show! They knew it and they loved it. And Strike Back fans are unlike any other group of fans!
Yeah, it's fun to see how the family has grown from, obviously the crew and the cast, to the fans. The fans are, and always have been by the way, the best! I remember that first season being shocked when we walked down the street when Sully and I, we'd go and do press somewhere. We'd be in New York for a weekend or we'd be in LA for an event, like HBO would take us to the Emmy parties, and people knew the show! They knew it and they loved it. And Strike Back fans are unlike any other group of fans!
You know,
people will walk by and be like, "Yo, what's up, Stone?" Or that
thing where they’ll casually nod and say, "Hey" or “I like the lawyer.” *laughs*
But Strike Back fans?! No, no Strike Back fans aren't like that. See Strike Back fans will come up and be
like, "Yo! So I just bought this
new gun," or "I just bought this new vest" and like, "Hey,
can you answer me this? Like, what kind of..."
You know?! And
they're really well… I had a guy in London, actually the closest I ever was to
getting into a scuffle. A guy just came up and grabbed me! I was like
"Whoa!" and I pushed him off… "What's going on?" He just yells,
"You're Stonebridge!" Like, that
was the kind of fan that the Strike Back
fans were, are, I learned really quickly and that's awesome! Because it's a
love-it-or-hate-it show, I really feel like. And people, when they're in,
they’re really in. *laughs*
Umm, yes
well, guilty as charged! *laughs* I have to tell you, the PTSD group that I
oversee? I'm actually a member first, and was elected to
leadership, but I'm the only woman in the group and the only “civilian,” the
rest are all military. It took some trying to be allowed in but this is the kind of organization that works for me. As
a long time sexual assault advocate I can’t really use more general groups
because invariably my clients are in them. Everywhere else I’ve lived there
have been “co-ed” groups but this is it here so I had to give it a shot at
least.
The leader at
the time (my mentor who recently died) was supportive of the idea and invited
me to the annual meeting to “present my case.” There was a small but fairly
hardcore faction of the men who absolutely did not want me allowed in. And I
understand, it's a private organization. They were under no obligation to
accept me. But, with his support I presented my reasons for wanting in and what
I could bring to the table and it went really well but then they started asking
questions. And they had all these random questions that they wanted me to
answer, in front of the whole group. And this is like 200 men at this huge
meeting!
Oh, my gosh!
Right! Talk about feeling vulnerable! They basically were just trying to get to know me beyond the “clinical” reasons for being there. One of them asked "What's your favorite television show?" And I immediately said, "Oh, 'Strike Back, absolutely Strike Back!' And they looked as if they didn’t know the show so I started explaining it but he cut in, "Oh, yeah, we know the show." And the group of naysayers had a little huddle and came back with "Okay, we're gonna give you this 'Strike Back' quiz and if you can pass the quiz, then we’ll say you can be in the group."
Right! Talk about feeling vulnerable! They basically were just trying to get to know me beyond the “clinical” reasons for being there. One of them asked "What's your favorite television show?" And I immediately said, "Oh, 'Strike Back, absolutely Strike Back!' And they looked as if they didn’t know the show so I started explaining it but he cut in, "Oh, yeah, we know the show." And the group of naysayers had a little huddle and came back with "Okay, we're gonna give you this 'Strike Back' quiz and if you can pass the quiz, then we’ll say you can be in the group."
That is brilliant! That's great! What were some of the questions? What were some of the questions they asked you?
Well, because it was only a few episodes into the second season, the Vengeance season, it was mostly questions about "Project Dawn" and it was really detailed questions about clothing, dialogue, plot details and then they started asking questions about weapons.
That's so funny!
So I told them "All right, look, I'm going to freely admit that if you ask me detailed questions about guns or types of ammo, I can't do that.”
You know,
weaponry, yeah.
Exactly, if
they're general questions, I can do it, but I can't tell you the precise differences
between an AK and an AR! (I could now.)
Right, right, right. *laughs*
They started snickering and I knew I was doomed. So I countered with "Okay, then for every tactical or weapons question you ask me, I get to ask you a production question." And they're like, "What's a production question?"
Right, right, right. *laughs*
They started snickering and I knew I was doomed. So I countered with "Okay, then for every tactical or weapons question you ask me, I get to ask you a production question." And they're like, "What's a production question?"
Hey, that's
great!
Right? I get to ask you questions about cameras and filters and lighting… A last ditch attempt to save myself, see if they'd call my bluff…which they didn't. They just kept asking general questions about characters and plot points until they realized they weren’t going to trip me up. So I passed their test and since they had made that the do or die, and everyone else was supportive, they let me in.
Right? I get to ask you questions about cameras and filters and lighting… A last ditch attempt to save myself, see if they'd call my bluff…which they didn't. They just kept asking general questions about characters and plot points until they realized they weren’t going to trip me up. So I passed their test and since they had made that the do or die, and everyone else was supportive, they let me in.
That was the
standard. Well, good for you! That's a great story! That's awesome! *laughs*
And what's
amazing to me, because the business is fickle, right? So you're only as good as
the last thing you were on and people's memories are short. But what's amazing
to me as a Strike Back fan, I keep bumping into them especially in New York
City. I'll be just walking down the street and people walk up and say things
like "Oh, man, Stonebridge." Especially within the service community,
the police department, the fire department, the medics, I'll constantly run
into them or we'll have cops on the show. And they're like, "Yo, I like
Stonebridge" and I’m like "Hey, yeah, me, too." *laughs*
So, what an honor, what a privilege.
Yes, and they know the show, cold.
So, what an honor, what a privilege.
Yes, and they know the show, cold.
Yeah, they do.
They really do.
These guys, Scott and Stonebridge, will live forever, because they're on our television.
There it is. That's the thing. That's the thing with good TV, isn't it? And the internet, it's there forever.
Since we’re talking about fans, I do have a few questions that followers of the Fans page sent in if you don't mind indulging a couple of them?
No, that would be brilliant.
Okay @Agtspooky from Chicago, wants to know what you liked most about being in Chicago.
The thing I liked most about being in Chicago? Unfortunately, it was that kind of scenario where I was working all the time; however, I was there when the Cubs won the World Series and I'm never going to forget that! That experience was phenomenal! I mean, everyone had their phones in their pocket between takes and we'd yell, "Cut," and everyone was checking the score. And that night that they won, I remember getting dropped off at the bar that they actually copied Molly's off of. And I went down to the basement and started watching the game. And the Indians hit that homer that I think it tied it up and I was, like, "Oh, this is gonna be crazy." So I started walking home.
These guys, Scott and Stonebridge, will live forever, because they're on our television.
There it is. That's the thing. That's the thing with good TV, isn't it? And the internet, it's there forever.
Since we’re talking about fans, I do have a few questions that followers of the Fans page sent in if you don't mind indulging a couple of them?
No, that would be brilliant.
Okay @Agtspooky from Chicago, wants to know what you liked most about being in Chicago.
The thing I liked most about being in Chicago? Unfortunately, it was that kind of scenario where I was working all the time; however, I was there when the Cubs won the World Series and I'm never going to forget that! That experience was phenomenal! I mean, everyone had their phones in their pocket between takes and we'd yell, "Cut," and everyone was checking the score. And that night that they won, I remember getting dropped off at the bar that they actually copied Molly's off of. And I went down to the basement and started watching the game. And the Indians hit that homer that I think it tied it up and I was, like, "Oh, this is gonna be crazy." So I started walking home.
And then there was the rain delay and then Zobrist hit that shot down the third base line and he drove in the run and I was like, "Oh, my gosh. Oh, my God, they're gonna win! They're gonna win the World Series!" But just the love and the excitement in that city was, I've never experienced that before. The closest thing was I worked in Spain years ago and I think the World Cup was in France or Germany, but it was close. And it was just, it was amazing, it was an amazing experience. And Chicago mimicked that for me. It was brilliant!
Yes! I’m a lifelong Red Sox fan but...
Oh, very good. Nice, nice!
Yes, finally, we’ve got a couple of Series wins under our belt! And that was exactly the same feeling I had, "Oh, my God, Chicago is going to get to feel this (winning the WS)! This is amazing!" I was almost as excited as I was when the Sox won. [I watched A LOT of Cubbies ball when I lived in the Midwest, only National League team I ever cheer for!]
Right! So that's a good vibe! That's a good, good vibe!
The best! Next fan question, that a couple of people sent in - what are the best and worst things about being an actor?
Best and worst things about being an actor? Worst thing is the cost on relationships. The best thing is, ironically enough, after the worst thing being cost on relationships, the best thing is the people you get to meet and the places you get to go. You meet incredible people and you go to amazing places.
Especially at your level, everyone is at the top of their game and you're meeting and working with the best of the best. That forces you to be...
Yeah, that's right, yeah exactly. You go, "Oh, okay. Wow, everyone brought their A-game today. Let's go."
Yup, no
slacking through it that day! *laughs* @Nightster_09 wants to know if you were
granted three wishes, what would they be?
Oh, my goodness. I'm terrible at these types of questions. Three wishes. Can they be like abstract things, like world peace or should we keep them kind of personal?
*laughs* They are your wishes. You can do whatever you want with them.
Do whatever you want with them, huh? Three wishes. If I kept it all personal, it's... Oh, I hate these questions. I hate them. I wish I was better at these questions. *laughs*
*laughs* It's not a test. It's okay. It's not a test. *laughs* We're not gonna kick you out of the group.
No? Ok. *laughs*
1) that I could film in Montana. I don't know what it would be but I'd love to wake up at home and do a job. That would be amazing!
Oh, my goodness. I'm terrible at these types of questions. Three wishes. Can they be like abstract things, like world peace or should we keep them kind of personal?
*laughs* They are your wishes. You can do whatever you want with them.
Do whatever you want with them, huh? Three wishes. If I kept it all personal, it's... Oh, I hate these questions. I hate them. I wish I was better at these questions. *laughs*
*laughs* It's not a test. It's okay. It's not a test. *laughs* We're not gonna kick you out of the group.
No? Ok. *laughs*
1) that I could film in Montana. I don't know what it would be but I'd love to wake up at home and do a job. That would be amazing!
(2) I wish I could
go back to school sometimes, especially drama school, knowing what I know now from
just living life. I wish I could go back and experience life again sometimes. Gosh,
it goes by so fast and you make such silly decisions sometimes. But you learn
from those decisions, as well.
Exactly.
But, man, you can make it really complicated, or you can make it can be a lot of fun. You know, life can be a really good adventure. And sometimes, I know it's the hands you're dealt, I get that too; but man, I just, I made it really hard sometimes and I didn't need to.
Exactly.
But, man, you can make it really complicated, or you can make it can be a lot of fun. You know, life can be a really good adventure. And sometimes, I know it's the hands you're dealt, I get that too; but man, I just, I made it really hard sometimes and I didn't need to.
And let's see,
third one. I wish I could see my friends and family more. I wish I could see my
mom and dad and my family in England. And I wish it was easier to stay in touch
with all these amazing people that I've had the honor to work with over the
years.
That's the
thing about the family of working in television and film. You do it and then
it's over. It's over and you're on the plane the next day. I mean, that's it! Social
media is great to a point for staying in touch, but it's over and you're onto
the next job and everyone's onto their next life. That's bizarre. It's a really
bizarre thing.
Yes! And I don’t think people who’ve never worked in theater or in television or film really understand that, the finality of it. It’s so all consuming when you’re in it and then it vanishes. The world you created and lived in around the show or the play is over.
And that family, and that city, and, yeah, all that stuff.
Yeah. Yeah. It does create a sort of hole for a while and it's like, "Okay, I need to find the next thing that's going to fill that..."
That hole in my soul. Yeah. *laughs*
Yes! And I don’t think people who’ve never worked in theater or in television or film really understand that, the finality of it. It’s so all consuming when you’re in it and then it vanishes. The world you created and lived in around the show or the play is over.
And that family, and that city, and, yeah, all that stuff.
Yeah. Yeah. It does create a sort of hole for a while and it's like, "Okay, I need to find the next thing that's going to fill that..."
That hole in my soul. Yeah. *laughs*
Right!
*laughs* Of course, several people wanted to know about your fitness routine. I
believe @Elfqueen3 from Manila was the
first to ask.
I guess in a nutshell, without getting into specifics, I at least try and do something four days a week. So even if I go to the gym for an hour or sometimes I won't leave the house, you know, especially with Charlie. During the week, I can't always get to the gym, but I usually work out 45 minutes to an hour. At home I'll do 5 sets of 50 sit-ups and 5 sets of 25 pushups and jump squats, just to do something, you know? And at the gym, I actually still use the trainer that I used on "Strike Back." His name is Emile Macan. (sp)
Oh, that's great!
Yes, he's this amazing South African guy, he sends me emails with workouts in them and I do those. And so, you know, here in New York, [at the gym near where he lives] it's sort of an alternate between big Olympic moves, dead lifts, things like that. And then closer to maybe a scene where I'm topless or something like that, we get into specifics and do more vanity workouts - arms and chest and stuff like that. Body weight stuff, I think they're the best things. I like to run around in the mountains. I like to do sit-ups, pushups and pull-ups. They're the three big ones.
Agree. We have a gym here and I’ll use it in the winter if necessary but I'm all about being outside, running hills, finding some big rocks for weights, using the trees…
Exactly, exactly. Yeah, if there's a playground nearby, go play on the monkey bars and wake up next morning and really feel your shoulders, you know! Like, go be a kid and just get that workout.
Absolutely! Just keep moving.
Right, my wife and I, when we're kind of crunched for time, we have a thing we say, "Doing does." Doing does. Just get out there and do it, and it does something.
Oh that’s perfect! Okay. I’ve got to remember that at 5:00 tomorrow morning.
Yeah, that's right. Oh, that's the worst, though! As much as I want to be, I'm not a morning workout guy.
*laughs* Ugh, it's definitely not my preferred time, but right now, that's what I have. So, make it work.
I guess in a nutshell, without getting into specifics, I at least try and do something four days a week. So even if I go to the gym for an hour or sometimes I won't leave the house, you know, especially with Charlie. During the week, I can't always get to the gym, but I usually work out 45 minutes to an hour. At home I'll do 5 sets of 50 sit-ups and 5 sets of 25 pushups and jump squats, just to do something, you know? And at the gym, I actually still use the trainer that I used on "Strike Back." His name is Emile Macan. (sp)
Oh, that's great!
Yes, he's this amazing South African guy, he sends me emails with workouts in them and I do those. And so, you know, here in New York, [at the gym near where he lives] it's sort of an alternate between big Olympic moves, dead lifts, things like that. And then closer to maybe a scene where I'm topless or something like that, we get into specifics and do more vanity workouts - arms and chest and stuff like that. Body weight stuff, I think they're the best things. I like to run around in the mountains. I like to do sit-ups, pushups and pull-ups. They're the three big ones.
Agree. We have a gym here and I’ll use it in the winter if necessary but I'm all about being outside, running hills, finding some big rocks for weights, using the trees…
Exactly, exactly. Yeah, if there's a playground nearby, go play on the monkey bars and wake up next morning and really feel your shoulders, you know! Like, go be a kid and just get that workout.
Absolutely! Just keep moving.
Right, my wife and I, when we're kind of crunched for time, we have a thing we say, "Doing does." Doing does. Just get out there and do it, and it does something.
Oh that’s perfect! Okay. I’ve got to remember that at 5:00 tomorrow morning.
Yeah, that's right. Oh, that's the worst, though! As much as I want to be, I'm not a morning workout guy.
*laughs* Ugh, it's definitely not my preferred time, but right now, that's what I have. So, make it work.
Yeah, exactly.
Okay, this is a little bit different of a question, Paula (@bitchtude) wants to know what your first car, your current car, and your dream car is?
That's a great question. My first car? The first car I bought was a 1989 Honda Civic. I bought it for $1,500 off of a friend of mine whose older sister had it… and then I totaled it in a wreck. I wrecked one, two... I had like five really good wrecks in my senior year of high school...
Okay, this is a little bit different of a question, Paula (@bitchtude) wants to know what your first car, your current car, and your dream car is?
That's a great question. My first car? The first car I bought was a 1989 Honda Civic. I bought it for $1,500 off of a friend of mine whose older sister had it… and then I totaled it in a wreck. I wrecked one, two... I had like five really good wrecks in my senior year of high school...
Now we know why Sully did most of the driving.
Oh, my gosh! What the?! (laughing, hard!)
I totaled a four-door minivan. I totaled a Ford Tempo and I totaled my Honda Accord. And then the other two wrecks were in both of those cars, but I didn't total them. So I was terrible. *laughs*
What the heck were you doing?! (still laughing!)
I jumped a car off a bridge once. I rolled a car down a hillside. I rear-ended someone, which was totally my fault. It was black ice but… I was just young. I was just a punk, you know?
My current
car, I drive a 2016 Toyota Tundra. And my dream car? I always wanted a Toyota
Tundra. So I was really stoked when I got that. But if I could have a car to
bop around in and just have fun in, I think I would buy a Shelby Cobra and take
that out. That would stay in the garage for the winter and then I would be able
to bop around that in the summertime. I think that would be fun.
And what's
keeping you from doing that? (laughing
because I know how much they cost!)
Uhhh, my daughter's future college fund! *laughs*
One of my best friends is Adam Campbell. We lived together in Los Angeles for
years and did odd jobs together. But he's so brilliant. He's brilliantly
pragmatic and he just said, "Look, man, a car is like the ultimate luxury.
You only need something that's going to get you from A to B. That's all they're
for. If you can get it out of your head, it's how you look and how it sounds and
how it smells, and what the image is. You know, that's all bullshit. It just
needs to get you from A to B." And he's right. You know, he's right. It's
like watches, it's like nice watches. They all tell the time, it' just some of
them are really beautiful. Some of them are beautiful machines and some of them
aren't. And cars are kind of like that. So, yeah, it's money that I don't want
to spend.
I totally get that. I drive a Hyundai so… it just has to get me where I need to go, cheaply.
Uhhh, my daughter's future college fund! *laughs*
 |
| 1965 Shelby Cobra currently available in Irvine for $595,000. A good deal. |
I totally get that. I drive a Hyundai so… it just has to get me where I need to go, cheaply.
Exactly!
Exactly.
The last question was going to be from a fan in London who wanted to know your favorite role so far but I think we've answered that pretty clearly. *laughs*
*laughs* Yes!
I know you have to get to the studio so is there anything I didn't ask you that you would want the Fans to know?
No…I don't think so. It's interesting when you do things like this because you're like, "Oh, I should've said that," or, "Shit, I didn't talk about this." But, no, I don't think so.
The last question was going to be from a fan in London who wanted to know your favorite role so far but I think we've answered that pretty clearly. *laughs*
*laughs* Yes!
I know you have to get to the studio so is there anything I didn't ask you that you would want the Fans to know?
No…I don't think so. It's interesting when you do things like this because you're like, "Oh, I should've said that," or, "Shit, I didn't talk about this." But, no, I don't think so.
You can
always call back or you can, you know, put it on the page. *laughs*
*laughs* Exactly right, exactly. I know where you're at. I know where you're at.
Okay. Any other questions for me, because I know you need to hit the road?
No. But look Debra, I really appreciate this and I really appreciate the work you do bringing all that stuff to attention and reminding people, and reminding me too. I'm really touched and I'm really honored by it. So it doesn't go by without being noticed, for sure. So thank you so much. I mean, I can see the time it takes so just thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
Thanks! I have to tell you, I’m so busy right now that working out and doing the Fans page are sort of my stress relief. So I'm fortunate that I have such great material to work with. Thank you for that! I'm sure I'll think of a million questions after we hang up, but...
That would be awesome! You really would be open to that?
Totally, I totally would. That'd be great. I'm looking forward to seeing it and it's been nice to talk and kind of get to know you a bit more as well, because of all the work you're doing. I see it, but it's nice to get to know you a bit more. Like I said, I really appreciate it. We'll touch base when we get into the season a bit more. Does that sound good?
Okay! That sounds terrific! Have a great evening and thanks again.
*laughs* Exactly right, exactly. I know where you're at. I know where you're at.
Okay. Any other questions for me, because I know you need to hit the road?
No. But look Debra, I really appreciate this and I really appreciate the work you do bringing all that stuff to attention and reminding people, and reminding me too. I'm really touched and I'm really honored by it. So it doesn't go by without being noticed, for sure. So thank you so much. I mean, I can see the time it takes so just thank you very much. I really appreciate it.
Thanks! I have to tell you, I’m so busy right now that working out and doing the Fans page are sort of my stress relief. So I'm fortunate that I have such great material to work with. Thank you for that! I'm sure I'll think of a million questions after we hang up, but...
I'm sure! But
we'll figure it out. We'll figure another one out.
That would be awesome! You really would be open to that?
Totally, I totally would. That'd be great. I'm looking forward to seeing it and it's been nice to talk and kind of get to know you a bit more as well, because of all the work you're doing. I see it, but it's nice to get to know you a bit more. Like I said, I really appreciate it. We'll touch base when we get into the season a bit more. Does that sound good?
Okay! That sounds terrific! Have a great evening and thanks again.
All right,
great! Thanks, Debra.
__________________________
I really
hope you’ve enjoyed what is possibly going to be the first in a series of chats
this season!
There are not enough words to express my gratitude to Philip Winchester for his willingness to make this happen for all of you.
Only two weeks away from television history: make sure you’ve set your reminders and DVRs for the record-tying Season 20 premiere of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit which is happening on Thursday, September 27 at 9/8c on NBC! And as always, be ready to live tweet along with us!
Special thanks to:
Emily from United Talent Agency (UTA)
Kelsey Nolan (@nolenag03) for her assistance and her unwavering positivity!
Very special thanks to Dan Macpherson for the spark.
There are not enough words to express my gratitude to Philip Winchester for his willingness to make this happen for all of you.
Only two weeks away from television history: make sure you’ve set your reminders and DVRs for the record-tying Season 20 premiere of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit which is happening on Thursday, September 27 at 9/8c on NBC! And as always, be ready to live tweet along with us!
Special thanks to:
Emily from United Talent Agency (UTA)
Kelsey Nolan (@nolenag03) for her assistance and her unwavering positivity!
Very special thanks to Dan Macpherson for the spark.
