Brianne Davis – Six

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Do you think pushing back the premiere of “Six” was a good build up for the series?

A) I think it was a good thing. I think everything happens for a reason. It is a different show, but it has the same sense. It leans more towards the war stuff than the home stuff. That’s the difference. It’s still a great show. Joe [Manganiello] was great in it and so is Walton [Goggins]. Sometimes things just happen for a reason. They are totally two different actors so the story changed. Each actor brings something completely different.

Q) What kind of feedback did you receive to premiere?

A) I’ve only heard a couple things on Twitter of people not loving it, but the majority of people are loving it. We got 2.6 million viewers, which is great especially for a new cable show. My family loved it. They thought I was wonderful playing Lena and the subtleties. So, I’ve only heard good things.

Q) The series seems to push some boundaries. What do you think it is about the History network that helps push those boundaries?

A) I think if you watch “Vikings,” the scene right before we premiered was pretty brutal. It was the killing of a main character. So, I think History is stepping into its own. It’s not just the history of our past, but it is the history of our now. It’s a beautiful thing and I’m so grateful for History taking a chance on the show and really putting it out there.

Q) Where do you connect with your character?

A) I think when you watch, especially episode five, six and seven, you’re really going to see Lena show a side of her you won’t see until then. I’m very proud of those episodes and the work I did with Barry [Sloane]. We had some really different scenes and at the same time I was going through a hard time in my personal life. So, I feel like that of course bleeds into your work. I’m just really proud of it. I can’t give away too much, but it is some heart wrenching scenes and Barry and I really come to it with a very real…We both were going through a lot at the time and you’ll see it. I’m sure it’s in there.

Q) How was Lena originally described to you and what did you add to her that wasn’t scripted for you?

A) I think when they came to me and I got the part she was the quintessential wife and I think what I brought to it was a push back with that. I think they wanted to portray women a certain way. We’re not perfect. Humans aren’t perfect so I really try to find places where I can show your flaws or your humanity. I feel like that is what I brought to it. I had someone who said, “Oh, that was kind of a throwaway scene.” To me, there were no scenes that were throwaway. I think that’s what I brought – coming from a place of pain and longing for her husband, but also wanting to move forward. I don’t want to give anything away…

Q) You are a part of a military family yourself. How did that carry with you in your life and while filming?

A) My dad was in Vietnam. I think when you are in that lifestyle and you come from that, I think there is a part of you as a woman where you have to be very independent. I think I got that from my mother because you don’t always have your partner there. So, I grew up very independent, wanting to have my own career and wanting to make my own money. I feel like the women I talk to who are Navy Seal wives where the marriages survive is because the women are very strong. They are very independent. They run the household and take care of things. They get things done.

Q) What was the most challenging aspect of your role and filming “Six?”

A) I think, for me, the most challenging thing is not breaking. There are a lot of scenes that come up where your instinct and the dialogue and everything calls for…it’s so emotional and so heartbreaking and I could not break. If Lena breaks then her husband can’t do his job. That was the tone of all my work in this. So, even when me, as a woman and an actress, wants to break…And you know actresses, we love to cry and have dramatic scenes, but no. People do not want to cry and she grew up in a military background so it is imbedded in her that she can’t break. That was hard, especially when you are doing it fifteen times in a row. It is just heart wrenching.

Q) What can you tease about how dynamics might shift as the season progresses?

A) There is a lot. Almost with every character there is a twist, especially the last episode. It’s pretty extreme, but I can’t say anymore. Every character has twists and turns. You’ll see… That’s all I can say.

Q) What do you think it is about the series that will resonate and draw viewers in?

A) I hope it is really an authentic look at what these families go through. I know it is a war show and there is the fighting, but for me the most important thing is to see the family life and what they go through. I think you will see that this whole season, but hopefully in Season Two (God wiling we get picked up) you’ll see it. That is the most important part. Everyone has seen war. You see it, but it is like who are these people and how do they cope with these high stress life or death situations? Every time a soldier leaves, the family doesn’t know if he is going to come back. They don’t even know where he is going. So, it’s like how do these families navigate their lives when the husbands are doing these extremely dangerous jobs? I just really want people to see a real, authentic portrayal of these families. I think that is the most important thing to me.

Q) What have you taken away from working on “Six?”

A) I think just creating art is important. No matter how others perceive it, putting yourself out there is important. Your whole being. And I have a whole new family now. “Six” is like a family. Normally you go work on shows and such and it is just a job, but this seems bigger than all of us. I carry that with me every time. There is this family that I can depend on, all of them. Honestly, it’s very special.