Dohn Norwood – Hell On Wheels

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Aside from “Hell On Wheels,” I am currently working on HBO’s forth coming film All The Way, which is based on the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play starring Bryan Cranston, Melissa Leo, Anthony Mackie and yours truly.

Q) What can you tease is new this season on “Hell On Wheels” and with your character Psalms?

A) As always, I can’t premiere new information so teasing is limited to the perimeter elements of the story. I guess I can say that many characters find themselves living lives they would have never predicted, which in turn has them reinventing themselves. Psalms is new this year. He has transformed immensely physically, mentally and emotionally from where he was the first season. He now sees the promises of America now being available to him as Elam had described. He begins to make bold choices and seeks a new place in the world for himself.

Q) How was Psalms originally described to you?

A) Psalms was described to me as an angry man who finds himself in a precarious position. Despite having been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, Psalms (like many former slaves who had no place to go) has been arrested and jailed for vagrancy and loitering. Dually, the United States government allowed these “new citizens” to be purchased as “state property” and put to menial labor. Durant, looking for cheap labor for his railroad, contracted these “freed men” for his workforce. Ninety percent of the Union Pacific workforce consisted of such men. This is where we find Psalms…a dejected, disgruntled and disenchanted man working towards an unknown future.

Q) What have you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) Aside from his accent and Atlanta based origins, I have added a lot of Psalm’s gregariousness, story telling and womanizing ways. I figured he’d be a man’s man who loves to vent with the fellows and fawn over “better days” (whether they be past or future).

Q) What did you learn about the time period that you may not have been familiar with before filming?

A) I was unaware of exactly how large a portion of the railroad construction African and Asian Americans played a part. Additionally, there was an incredibly short life expectancy of those who worked in the railroad environment and community. Explosions, various structural collapses and harsh conditions put an early end to  many people. There were also harsh conditions for women. I believe virtually all of the women were prostitutes and they had a five to seven month life expectancy in the railroad towns.

Q) Psalms seems to have a contentious relationship with Durant. Is it just a racial difference or does Psalms feel Durant isn’t doing his job right?

A) Yes, on both accounts. I believe that the relationship between Durant (Colm Meaney) and Psalms is not just a racial anecdote which juxtaposes the relationship between African Americans and our home country, but that of the labor force in general. The connection between Psalms and Durant exemplifies the contradiction in the relationship of ambivalently patriotic citizens verses their demanded loyalty and commitment to a patronizing authority.

Q) We frequently saw Psalms through his friendship with Elam. Now that he is gone, who will Psalms bond with more this season?

A) Psalms always represented the moral compass, first for Elam in seasons one through three and then for Cullen (Anson Mount) and Ruth (Kasha Kropinski) in season four. Now, Psalms is defined through his own goals, expectations and purposes. He seeks to find his own place in the world which surrounds him.

Q) Who have you not yet worked with or wish you had the opportunity to film more scenes with?

A) The Swede…Christopher Heyerdahl is an incredible actor. I’d like to see what would come of the interaction between Psalms and The Swede. Depending on the circumstances! LOL!

Q) What can you tease has been some of your  most memorable moments from filming Season 5 of “Hell On Wheels?”

A) I am still in the midst of filming Season 5 so I honestly can’t say. I can say that it is always special to begin a new season and to see where the writers take us each year.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive during episodes?

A) Yes, I enjoy interacting with the fans of the show on social media. It makes it all more personal for me. I have to admit, I am actually not a big social media person. If not for the show, I probably wouldn’t have a Twitter or Facebook account. So, the instant fan feedback from those who follow me and the show makes it all more enjoyable.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) To everyone who has become a fan of me and my work on the show, THANK YOU for all of your love and support. You have not only made “Hell On Wheels” a part of the television landscape, but have allowed my career to thrive as well. Your devotion and adoration will forever be remembered and appreciated.