Brian Letscher – Scandal

By starrymag | April 7, 2016

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How was Tom originally described to you?

A) Originally, it was just one episode. So, he wasn’t really described to me. I remember the audition for it just stating, “He’s very serious about his job and very serious about protecting the President, but at the same time he knows where to draw the line.” In the very first episode, the President is trying to get out without Secret Service protection to see Olivia (Kerry Washington). But that was the only thing I was given. He’s really good at his job, but also knew where to draw the line with the President.

Q) Your brother Matt [Letscher] also appeared on the show. Did you speak with him at all prior to auditioning or even starting on the show to get a feel for it?

A) He and I, funny enough, don’t talk business a whole lot. I don’t know why, but we don’t. At that time, “Scandal” was just another show. It was some unknown pilot where he said, “I’m working on this new show for ABC,” and I said, “That’s cool. Great! Good luck,” because we know that most stuff that we work on never gets turned into a series, let alone a hit series. So, it wasn’t on my radar. Then, I went in for the audition and all I had heard him say was that it was really fast paced. So, I kept that in mind when I went in to do it. It was clearly a choice that the dialogue is robust and detailed and there is a lot of it so you have to keep the pace moving to have it fit within one hour of television.

Q) This season we have seen Tom take on a new direction by working with Cyrus. What was your first reaction to this new path for your character?

A) I have to take my shirt off? Really? That was my first reaction. [laughs] With “Scandal,” you definitely learn to think through all of the options as to why I might be doing this. The best choice for me is always because you really care, because you are looking for something and because the character is longing for something. So, I think that factored into it for me. For sure, this was pretty cool that he finally gets to have a personal interest on the show. It’s not just carrying orders. There is something personal at stake, possibly, when it came up at the first table read. So, I thought it was pretty cool.

Q) We did find Tom in Cyrus’ home wearing just a towel. Fans have speculated there may be a sexual relationship between Tom and Cyrus or is it just him borrowing some hot water?

A) I think the idea is that we’re not really sure what their relationship is, but clearly Tom is working for Cyrus (Jeff Perry). He’s helping him bring about the Vargas (Ricardo Chavira) thing. I think they share a connection almost through their shared experiences with Fitz (Tony Goldwyn). There is a connection there and I don’t think Tom is really sure what is happening. He is kind of figuring out stuff on the fly. I think that will unfold over the rest of the season. We’ll see what happens with these two…

Q) Will we learn any part of Tom’s backstory at some point this season as well?

A) I have put together much of that on my own up to this point and we’ll see. I’d love to know a little more, but right now you piece together it yourself to give yourself the strongest possible set up for what you are doing. So, we’ll see. I hope so!

Q) Right now, Tom is totally aligned with Cyrus to help get Vargas in the race. But does he still have any connection or loyalty to Fitz at all?

A) I think he’ll always have a deep loyalty to Fitz and admiration for him. I think that when he said last season “my President,” I think he really looked at it that way. The show has been going on for five seasons, but he’s been in office for seven years. So, that’s a long time and I think definitely there is still a strong connection to Fitz from his perspective.

Q) Going back a little bit, will Tom have an opportunity to redeem himself? Right now, he just seems focused on his missions for Cyrus.

A) I think he does. I think he absolutely does. I think without the possibility of redemption what point is it? We’ve seen all sorts of people on the show do all sorts of things that they are able to come back from, at least in one way or another. And I think Tom is no different. But the tough part is we don’t know a lot about him personally. So, what we do know is all work and all the things he has done. But we don’t know how he has felt about the things he does. There has never been an opportunity for him to discuss that with anyone else on the show. I think that once we are given a chance to see a little bit more of him as a human being, behind the gun, I think there is definitely a chance for him to be redeemed. That’s how I look at him. I look at him as someone who wants so many things and hopes that he has the opportunity to have them, the way anyone would. I think that is a common struggle between all of the B6-13 operatives and all those people have had to do some pretty terrible things.

Q) Does Tom have any emotional attachment to who becomes President?

A) Well, again, this goes back to uncovering the layers of Tom. I think he does. I think his emotional attachment is to Vargas right now. That’s the one we went all-in to get him into the race. I definitely put my neck on the line for that one shooting him, let alone setting that whole thing up – not the way we thought it went by me having to pull the trigger and get out of there. I think he definitely wants to see Vargas win and I think he wants to see Cyrus be his guy as much as Tom wants to get back to the White House as well. We shall see how it all plays out…I don’t even know that at this point! I get a little nervous just thinking about that.

Q) Shonda Rhimes is known for her shirtless scenes so what did you think when you read you’d be showing some skin this season?

A) The first one was, “Really? Are you sure?” Then, I had two weeks. Thankfully, they gave me a couple of weeks. You do the best you can [laughs] and at the end of the day you are what you are. And definitely there is that sense that “it’s my turn,” but that’s fun because there are some good jokes to be had with the likes of Tony, Scott [Foley], Josh [Malina] and all of those guys.

Q) You have worked a lot with Tony and Jeff Perry throughout your time on “Scandal.” Is there anyone you would like to have some scenes with?

A) That’s a great question! The truthful answer is that there is so many. I really look at that show and I just see the work that people are doing and I’m inspired every week. I watch what Darby [Stachfield] is doing this season and she’s fantastic! I would love to spend some time with her and some screen time with Guillermo [Diaz] and Bellamy [Young]. The show is loaded with people I would love to work with. Jeff is terrific so I’m enjoying every chance we get right now.

Q) Tom and Huck could spend some time bonding and commiserating.

A) Totally! I think over a couple of drinks and some nachos; I think that is appropriate. I would like to see Tom and Huck maybe go to church together. [laughs]

Q) Fans may notice through your interaction on social media that you have a great sense of humor and a friendly personality. Yet, you do frequently appear in such dark roles. What draws you to these characters or is it just that they find you?

A) They are the ones that pay my rent and send my kids to school. [laughs] That’s the truth. I just shot a pilot for HBO that, unfortunately, didn’t get picked up. But that was a real treat to be able to do and to have someone see that and give me the opportunity to be a part of that was terrific. Lena Dunham directed it and it was really kind of a blast doing it. It’s something I’d like to do a lot more of, but right now you go where the sweet spot is and where you can make a living. It’s not easy out there! So, “Scandal” has been fantastic. I have a guest starring role on “Beauty and the Beast” coming up that I had a really fun time shooting. But again, it’s pretty dark. Maybe that’s why I do it – I get to be a goofball in real life and then go explore all of that stuff at work.

Q) Will there be a chance for you to return to doing some theatre in the near future?

A) Yeah, there is. I did a play last summer. That was the last one I did that we had a great time doing. I’m eyeing a couple things right now for the time that all the productions are down in town. So, I’m either going to act in something or direct a show this Spring and Summer. I’ll figure something out in the next week or so. I think once a year or so I need to spend a couple months in the theatre or I’ll go a little nutty.

Q) We have gotten to see you on social media interacting with fans. Why is that such an important way for you to communicate with fans?

A) With “Scandal,” again, I feel incredibly fortunate because it was one of the first shows that Twitter built (so to speak). It was right at the beginning of casts live tweeting and that cast in particular ran with it. Then, you begin to think, “This is amazing. Their devotion and their desire to watch it and their appreciation for the work – all of it makes you go, “Well, here is this vehicle to be able to communicate and you’re crazy not to.” It’s kind of a community thing.

Q) We also saw you on the webseries “One and Done.” Is there a chance for it to have a second season?

A) We are waiting to hear on “One and Done.” It doesn’t look like it is going to get picked up anywhere, but we’re trying to figure out how to make a second season happen. We’d love to! We all had a blast doing it. It’s just a matter of who is going to pay to make it!

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about Tom or clear something up about him?

A) His ability to compartmentalize is unbelievable; however, he is not the Tin Man. He does have a heart. And I think he is a human being. He just has a great ability to compartmentalize, but he does have a big heart. I think, truly, he has been the ultimate professional – serving the republic. I think that’s my desire that I keep looking for those spots for him to have that heart as an actor. So, of course that is going to be my answer when you ask me what I want people to know. He’s a loving, compassionate, sweet man. He can check work at the door and be with the family.

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

A) Thank you! I just want to say a big thank you to everybody. Again, “Scandal” fans are unbelievable. You run into other actors or you go work on other shows and you realize that. They are just unbelievable and I have to say it has just been amazing experience after amazing experience and that says a lot about fans. So, just a huge thank you!