QQ) What made you want to be a part of the show "Heartland"?
A) David Hollander's writing was extraordinary and I think it's an area, the donor and transplant issue, is something no one's ever dealt with before. I think it is breaking some new ground and I am excited about that. Basically, it's the fact that I think David Hollander is a great writer.
Q) Was it a difficult decision to take another role as a doctor?
A) No, because to me you play the person and the occupation is secondary. It's a great role and a great show. I didn't have any hesitation at all. If the next five great parts are doctors then I'll play five more doctors. To me, it's more about who the person is.
Q) What are the similarities and differences between Nathaniel Grant and Andy Brown that drew you to taking another TV series so quickly?
A) I think it was more about David Hollander's writing. I think the similarities between David Hollander and Gregory Berlanti is a better way to put it because they are such great writers. I just can tell that David was a gifted writer and I really wanted to work with him. Nathaniel Grant is a little darker than Andy Brown and I think his issues are more deep seeded because he's a workaholic. He's probably the guy Andy Brown used to be with an awkward journey ahead to get his life in order.
Q) How have you noticed any differences between the support, both creatively and publicity wise, from TNT than with the WB?
A) I think, and Greg Berlanti told me this, that he was consistently trying to wrestle the WB away from trying to turn what was a great family drama into a teen show. I think WB always presented it as a teen show, which it never was. I think that the audience discovered it, in spite of the WB's efforts to make it a teen show. Whereas, TNT seems to love the fact that this is an adult drama. I have never seen, in the history of my career, such a great campaign for a film or television series. It's phenomenal!
Q) What about your role do you find challenging?
A) It's very deeply emotional and sometimes the days are very long. The hardest thing is that there is a lot of emotional work to do and it can be wearing emotionally.
Q) What has been your most memorable moment from filming?
A) I got to swing off a tree onto a lake. I never thought I'd be doing that! I'm playing a doctor and somehow I wound up swinging on a rope swing into a lake!
Q) You've worked with David Paymer on "Everwood" and now on "Heartland." What are your thoughts on him as a director?
A) David Paymer and I go back thirty years. We just had our thirtieth anniversary of David and I performing on Broadway in Grease. David had made a short film and both he and I worked very hard to get him his first television directing job on "Everwood." We're both very excited and proud that he has become an in demand director since then. So, it's been a very long friendship for us. He's one of my best friends in the world and he's a great director.
Q) Ryan Hurst has a great cameo in the first episode of "Heartland." Are there other recognizable actors that we should expect to see?
A) Dabney Coleman plays my mentor and Melinda Dillon. Right now, I think they are developing the show and building on the characters that are the six lead actors. I think that's a great idea. I don't think this is going to be a "star of the week" kind of show. It is an ensamble where we won't need to bring in outside actors too often.
Q) Do you keep in touch with your former cast of "Everwood?"
A) Yeah we do! I talk with everyone. We try very hard to stay in touch. It was a really nice family and everyone is concerned about each other's welfare.
Q) Were you surprised that Everwood was cancelled and how hard was it to get over that?
A) I'm raising children and it was kind of a blessing in disguise. I was actually kind of relieved to be able to spend more time with my wife and kids.
Q) Is there any storyline or direction that you would like to have seen your character, Andy Brown, go in?
A) No, I think the first two seasons are the best two seasons. To be honest, I wasn't particularly fond of where he went in the third season. I think when Jake left the show it went in a different track, but that's all water under the bridge now. I think Greg did so much with him, it was wonderful.
Q) As an actor, how do you balance the cancellation of a show with going into new work?
A) It really wasn't a balance. I went to bed and took my kids to school the next day and went on with my life. A year later, this came up. It seemed to be the right thing at the right time. I am hoping that as a result of being on the air and from doing a lot of interviews, that I was right!
Q) You were on the show "Brothers & Sisters" earlier this year. Your character was left open-ended. Is there any opportunity for you to go back and end that story line?
A) I'd love to if Greg wants me back, but right now I'm busy with this. I want to go back and focus on my family when I finish. Right now, I just want to raise my children.
Q) Of all the numerous roles you've played throughout the years, which one do you feel most resembles you?
A) That's hard because there is a distinct part of me in all of them. I would have to say Andy Brown was probably the closest thing to me being me.
Q) Why should people take the time to tune in and see "Heartland?"
A) I think it's a great drama and deeply moving. I think that if people want to forget their lives for an hour and watch somebody else's this will be a great way to do it!
