4:28PM, Sep 25, 2009
From the makers of Lost, FlashForward is the most highly anticipated TV show this year and we catch up with its star Joseph Fiennes.
Find out what drew the Hollywood actor to the series, what's in store for his character and if he really wants to know his future.
FlashForward starts on Five this week. It follows the happenings around a mysterious event that sees the population flashing forward to a glimpse just minutes of their lives, six months in the future. FBI agent Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) is tasked with investigating the incident.
When you were first approached about doing this, were you hesitant about doing a television series?
I was in LA, at the time, for a film meeting and on my way out my agent said, “You’ve gotta read this pilot. It’s great. And, David Goyer wants to meet you, straight away.” I said, “Well, I’m flying out in a couple of hours, but I’ll read it before I do the meeting.” I read it just before the meeting, and I was totally hooked.
I hadn’t really thought about television, but I’d seen Nip/Tuck, The Wire, The Sopranos and Breaking Bad. There has been a whole host of stuff, over the last several years, that I’ve really been blown away by, with the writing and production value. So, it wasn’t a big leap for me. For actors, it’s all about holding hands with great writing and, through that, the development of characters.
If you had to explain your characters journey in order to watch the show, what would you say?
He’s a man who is intent on not having to live in the hell that he sees. He’s a recovering alcoholic, which is a painful backstory for him. His life is now back on track. He’s got a wonderful family. He lives for his child and his wife, and to see that taken away is going to devastate him. So, we’re going to see a man taken to the brink and taken to the extreme.
We’re going to see him being ripped apart and tested. And, it’s really about the moral boundaries that you’re prepared to cross or that you have to confront, in order to change the future and change the outcome of what you see.
Signing to play the same character for seven years didn’t worry you at all?
Seven years? I didn’t know! Now, I take everything back. No. It is a long commitment, but I took it with that understanding. Who knows? Maybe there will be time in the hiatus, where I can go off and do a bit of theatre and my odd, weird independent film in Macedonia, or wherever. We’ll see.
Why do you think shows like this, with a supernatural, fantasy or sci-fi element, are so popular?
I don’t know if this is. I think this is pure character drama. Who knows what the sci-fi element will be, how that will be and where it will go. But, at the moment, it is just the vision. We’ll go into what caused it or what entity is behind it. Fundamentally, what lies there is the colossal conflicts that people get by being presented with their future.
Have you been told why there was a flash forward?
I have no idea.
Do you try to guess?
Constantly. I’m knocking on the door of the writer’s room. My journalistic antennae is very subversive in trying to get information, but the door is very firm. It’s difficult to get it.
Isn’t it better for you not to know, since your character doesn’t know?
I think so. There’s a certain level of energy that all the actors have, which I hope will infect the filming and playing, and ultimately the audience, who are collaborators. Like with anything creative, the audience is the final equation in the collaboration. We do it only for them.
Would you want to know your future?
Some days I do, some days I don’t. If it was going to be good news, I’d love to know. Ultimately, I don’t think so. This is the journey we’re on, and you make your decisions and choices, and the experience of life is living by them, for good or for bad, and therein lies the lesson. To not have that lesson is to not tackle life.
Is there pressure with this show now, since it’s getting so much attention and buzz?
When you feel, “Wow, somebody is really happy with it,” it’s great. Most of my life, and anyone in our business, has been full of disappointment. 90% of the creative life is full of disappointment. That’s part of the deal. So, it’s really nice when it’s believed in. We’re giving our best, so it’s great that it’s being matched.
What are you most proud of so far, both personally and professionally?
Career wise, that I’m still paying the rent. I’m happy about that, believe me. I loved doing Running with Scissors because I love character parts. The last character that really challenged me was that character. Personally, I’m proud to be a part of Flash Forward. I’m proud to be employed by the Powers That Be at ABC. I’m just happy to be able to turn up to work and hit the mark.
Are you happy to be out in LA?
Yeah. I’m living a dream and loving it. It’s amazing. I’ve worked in LA only a couple of times. I’ve never lived there. It’s a huge adjustment.
What was the biggest adjustment for you?
That I’m having to give up all my friends and family, indefinitely. I’ve gotten many friends, over the years, but I’m far from home. I love my work, so it’s worth it, but it’s a sacrifice.
When you have an ensemble this big, with all these different actors, are there actors that you’ll just never get to work with, or will all of your paths cross eventually?
What I love about this show is every story is connected, so you will get a chance to work with everyone. They may not be big scenes, but everyone’s lives impact everyone else’s. I have pretty much worked with 90% of everybody.
Find out when FlashForward is showing on TV.
