Peter Mooney – Burden of Truth

By starrymag | June 4, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) Busy is a relative term right now. Our industry’s on pause, but I’m feeling very lucky to have this time at home. Our daughter was born a few months before I started shooting Season 3 and my wife and I were working in different cities. So, there was a lot of travel back and forth. I’m sitting next to a teetering pile of board books right now, so probably the most imminent project is to build some shelves for her room.

 

Q) For the US audience, who haven’t seen Season 3 of “Burden of Truth,” what can you tease is in store for your character Billy Crawford?

A) There’s a lot coming. We’re getting to know more about Billy’s past and family with each season. We met Molly (Sara Thompson) and Wendy (Rebecca Gibson) in Season 1, Shane (Andrew Chown) in Season 2 and this year we finally get to meet their father, Hank. Also, we jump forward a little from where we left off last season and we get to see Billy and Joanna (Kristin Kreuk) together as a couple.

 

Q) What are some themes/cases you can share that will be explored?

A) For me, this season is all about family. The family you come from and the family you make and just how hard you have to fight for it sometimes. The main case of the season concerns Joanna’s childhood friend, Kodie (played by the fantastic Sera-Lys McArthur) who was to fight to regain custody of her kids. Joanna has to deal with the specter of her father and Billy with the reality of his, all while somehow figuring out how to be together and manage the case and the curveballs life keeps throwing their way. It’s a smorgasbord of all things family.

 

Q) What keeps challenging you about portraying Billy?

A) That he keeps growing and changing. Sometimes characters in television are static, but the show follows Billy through a period of change in his life as he deals with his past and decides how to navigate the future.

 

Q) There is such chemistry between Billy and Joanna. What do you think it is about them that makes them such a special couple?

A) That they are as opposite as can be while still managing to be compatible. It never gets boring. They’re like a Venn diagram with very little overlap, which leads to a lot of disagreement and debate but, both being lawyers, they love it. Plus, each has something essential to learn from the other. There’s an alchemy in their togetherness that makes each one stronger.

 

Q) Going into Season 3, was there someone(s) you were hoping to share more scenes with?

A) Paul Braunstein is such a perfect bad guy and so much fun to shoot with. It’s good for Billy that he doesn’t have any more run ins with Mercer than he does, but selfishly I wish he did.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film for Season 3?

A) We shot this year at Assiniboia Downs – a horse track I used to go to sometimes as a kid. We were there all day shooting before the races and then, when the track opened up and the crowd came in, we were able to shoot during two live races before the sun was too low. Having the real crowd there and only the two chances to get the scene was a real thrill.

 

Q) How do you shake off a long day on set?

A) Whiskey.

 

Q) Who would you like to see make a guest appearance come Season 4?

A) We’ve had a lot of “Rookie Blue” alum show up in Millwood and one of my favorite people I’ve ever worked with is Charlotte Sullivan. That would be fun. Plus, we shoot in Winnipeg, my hometown, so I love when friends come and I can show them all the best spots for coffee and cocktails and donuts.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Burden of Truth” that makes it such a fan favorite series?

A) The specificity of place. People watch the show and they’re transported to this town and into these peoples’ lives. Also, in spending a whole season on a single case, fans really get to dig in and see how all the characters they’ve come to know are affected personally.

 

Q) We loved you on “Rookie Blue.” What did you personally take away from your time on the series?

A) Mainly the experience of shooting it. We had such a good time and formed real, lasting friendships. That and one of Nick’s leather jackets.

 

Q) Who do you keep in touch with from the show?

A) We’re all off on our own adventures and scattered over a few different cities now, but we do still keep in touch. I mentioned a Charlotte above, Matty Gordon just texted me a recommendation for a burger place in my neighborhood as I was writing this answer and Greg Smith and I see each other a good bit. He wanted to play chess online while we’re all under quarantine, but I’m pretty certain I’ll get trounced. Ben Bass pops up in Season 3 and it was great to work with him again.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

A) Just a huge thank you. What we make only exists for and with an audience, and I get to do what I love and be part of telling these stories because you tune in to watch them. So, a big heartfelt thank you!