Henry Hereford – Crossbones

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

A) “Crossbones” is the most recent thing that I have shot. I have another independent movie with which I was involved that was actually completed two years ago, but as you know with movies they take a little bit longer before they often get finished and out to the public. That is going to be On Demand next week called Man Camp and it also stars Dean Cain.

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Crossbones” and about your character Frederick.

A) It’s obviously set in the pirate world, but it is much more than that. It’s about people creating a different society and it’s for the audience to decide how they feel about that. It’s quite progressive for that time and it’s amazingly well written. There are interesting characters and the role of Frederick Nightingale was very exciting to play. He’s created something very valuable to everyone and everyone wants to get their hands on it. He finds himself in a situation where he is very much a fish out of water. It’s exciting to play someone that finds themselves in a place where they would rather not be in, but due to what he has created he has no choice over it.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I was asked to audition for this role as my agent had pitched me for it. I was lucky enough to get a chance to audition. Because the casting director was in New York, I had to tape my audition rather than going into a room with people. That was fun because it was a different way of auditioning. You have a set amount of control you are going to show the casting and producers. That was fun to do that. Obviously, when I found out that Neil Cross had written and was going to be the showrunner, it was incredibly exciting. I had seen “Luther” in the UK, which is an amazing show. To find out that he was going to be creating this masterpiece and then someone like John Malkovich playing the lead…Also, there were other actors from the UK whose work I was aware of like Richard Coyle and Claire Foy’s work. It became even more exciting when I found out these people would be involved and I got the role. It was like a dream come true to be a part of it.

Q) Was there anything you added to the role of Frederick that may not have originally been scripted for you?

A) The role was so well written and defined that I guess I just was cast because when I take an audition I have an instant reaction to it. That is what I did in my audition. I think with theater, for example, you have a lot more of a chance to develop the role over time. Television is so fast that you have such amazing writers and your character is very well defined. You really just have to bring yourself and come ready for it. Everything was really given to me in the writing. So, I just sort of brought my take to it, which they cast me from. Then, I went from there. I had an amazing director in David Slade who was incredible and very clear about what he wanted. It was a great shooting process.

Q) Did you have to prepare and perform any stunt work?

A) I was sort of a guest from the spectator in scenes where that was taking place. I wasn’t actually doing anything stunt-wise in particular. There are a few things that happened, but we have an amazing team of stunt coordinators who took you through everything you needed to do. Anything I had to do was considerably small compared to others involved with the show. They were incredible people, though.

Q) What did you find challenging about filming?

A) I honestly couldn’t say that there was one moment. I found working on the project that there wasn’t anything negative. I couldn’t say anything about the project that was challenging, only in the fact that I was working with such an incredible team of people. It was such an enjoyable and exciting experience. I just had the most amazing time working with everyone. I think when you work with such an amazingly talented crew, you just had to do your job and I had an amazing experience. I don’t feel anything was challenging due to the fact it was such a supportive, well oiled machine. It was a pleasure to do it and I don’t feel there was any challenge to it.

Q) Did the chemistry between the cast come naturally or did it take some time to develop?

A) It was amazing. We were on location and I arrived in Puerto Rico on the first day of shooting. They had just finished shooting and it was an amazing atmosphere between everyone, cast and crew. From day one, it felt like a big family being there and everyone was very supportive. We all spent a lot of our free time together. Obviously, you’re all away from home. It was a fun experience and we enjoyed hanging out at work and not at work. The chemistry between everyone was incredible. And it was very, very easy. I made great friends through the experience. It was fantastic.

Q) Since you are a part of the social networking site Twitter, are you looking forward to the instant feedback you’ll be receiving after the show premieres?

A) Yeah! I hope so. I’m sort of getting into it the last couple of months. I think it is a great medium to promote all sorts of things. I think it will be great to hear from people who have enjoyed the show and I think a lot of people will. I think it is an exciting, different take on a great idea. The writing is incredible. I think it will be a lot of fun for people to watch and talk about. Hopefully, people will be talking about it. I hope people tune in and watch it. It’s a great show for the summer. I’m sure they’ll love it!