Frank Harts – Prodigal Son

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) It’s not your average procedural and a more mental element ends up being front and center. How does that extra focus add another element and stand the series out from other procedurals?

A) It is interesting because it is such a dark subject matter – dealing with serial killers. To have this dark comic layer on top, in the middle and all around is pretty cool and exciting for me. It’s one of the things that drew me to the script. Also, it’s the psychological element – not just dealing with Bright’s PTSD, but from JT’s point-of-view and his heavy military background and having a dash of PTSD that he’s learned to deal with and function with he can clearly spot it in others. I think that makes him a little unsettled about Bright (Tom Payne) from the beginning, not only his family history but the fact that Bright seems to be unstable mentally with clear elements of PTSD. At the same time, he has proven to be pretty good at his job (so to speak) throughout the episodes. So, he’s definitely an asset. And I think over time JT starts to appreciate him more and they become a little bit closer. But there is always that healthy dose of skepticism that JT approaches Bright with.

Q) They have this great tet-a-tet. How do you see their relationship?

A) Again, it’s one of those things where Bright comes into the situation with no rank or official title. He’s just been kicked out of the FBI and has a sketchy family history, to say the least. So, JT is not happy with Gil’s decision in the beginning to bring him on board, but he also trusts Gil (Lou Diamond Phillips) and has learned over the years to give people the benefit of the doubt. Again, going back to his military training, every person you work side by side with may not be who you expected them to be but, in the end, you are all fighting in the trenches together. Better to learn to treat your brothers and sisters with respect, otherwise it could mean your life or someone else’s life. So, JT learned a lot about what it meant to take lives as well as save them as a Marine in Afghanistan. But he wants to continue to the business of saving lives in New York City as part of the NYPD family. If Bright is one element that can help that happen faster then he is all for it. But, again, he’s a little weird.

Q) Talk about working with costar Tom Payne.

A) It really is extremely enjoyable for me, as an actor. Really some of my more favorite moments is when there are those quiet, one-on-one, scenes with Bright. For example, the car scene where they are talking about respect for each other. Its’ where you want to be as an actor, those kinds of moments. At the same time there are those big explosions and the ensemble dynamic with NYPD family is very exciting. It makes you want to go to work every day.

Q) They have this great brotherly energy where they clearly respect each other, but don’t get along.

A) As time goes on, they are becoming a bit like brothers in a way. Maybe the kind that don’t always agree with each other on everything, but they start to see that when you are forced into this world as part of a family (whether you want to be or not) it’s sort of happening with the NYPD family at the moment with JT and Bright. Father Gil, so to speak, has forced them together for the greater good and we ware learning to get along and respect each other as best as we can – again, with a healthy dose of skepticism from JT’s perspective. But it is exciting to see that push and pull and the energy that they sort of exchange between the two of them. It’s exciting to see them try to find their balance together in this world they are forced into. As time goes on, we see them become closer and we’ll see how it all works out. JT definitely starts to appreciate what Bright has to offer and vice versa. Again, it’s one of the most exciting things for me as an actor to be a part of that relationship on screen.

Q) What is it like for you and Tom working through these scenes, pushing boundaries and buttons?

A) I think a lot of it we start with a physical fight before each scene. There is a lot of punching, kicking and wrestling. Sometimes we’ll shoot each other, just for fun, with BBs just to get the blood flowing. But it’s always pretty laid back before we shoot a scene. No, in all honesty, Tom comes from the same kind of background that I come from as an actor. We have both have been trained. I went to Julliard and he trained in London. We both approach a character in a similar way – start with a blank slate, never prejudge and come ready to explore. And I think that’s how we approach each scene. We have a chemistry that seems to work and we sort of start with an open slate each episode and see where it takes us. A lot of that depends on the directors we work with and the writing that is given to us. One thing Tom and I know how to do is play within a scene. I think that’s what you are experiencing on the other end and it sounds like in a good way. I think a fan suggested that now that we have so many more episodes that one episode should just be Bright and JT locked in a room together.

Q) The show also has these intense suspenseful moments and then switch to other moments that has lighthearted humor. With the writing, we get these dark, disturbing and suspenseful moments but also how it balances the lightheartedness.

A) That is a great testament to the minds of Chris [Fedak] and Sam [Sklaver]. It’s one of the main reasons I wanted to do this show. I worked with them on another show, “Deception” and had such a good time. When I heard they were doing this I was sort of chomping at the bit to be a part of it. They are the masters of taking something extremely dark and layering the comedic aspect so seamlessly and nicely and casting the right kind of people to deliver that message. For myself, those are the things that I love as an actor. I’ve always enjoyed comedy and always enjoyed drama. When you get to mix the two, it really just screams “real life” and that’s what you want to be as an actor. You want to be as close to real life as possible on screen or on stage. It’s very enjoyable. I’m glad the message is coming across because it’s definitely dark and it’s definitely funny all at once. It’s a hard thing to pull off!

Q) The cinematography of the series really adds to the drama and darkness as well. It plays up the acting and emotional moments. How does that also play up the themes and undertones of the series as well?

A) Starting off with the wonderful Lee Toland Krieger who directed the pilot, he’s a real filmmaker who knows how to work with and speak with actors. It really started with him being in tandem with everyone else’s vision behind the camera. The fortunate thing is we’ve been able to bring in directors and cinematographers who have been able to keep that aesthetic alive from episode to episode. It wasn’t just a blast for the pilot and the next thing you’re wondering what happened. The flavor was there from the beginning. It sticks and it grows greater every time. So, it’s a testament to the wonderful directors we’ve been able to work with and the great DPs. For me, as an actor, it does help. I don’t want to necessarily come to work breathing in smoke. Even though it’s fake smoke, it is something that makes the air look more misty. It may not be fun, but gosh it looks lovely! And it really makes you feel like you’re in this funky, stinky, funny, smoky crime scene. It puts you in the moment as an actor – helps to at least. Then, you have to do the rest. Visuals are everything, whether you are watching or standing in the middle of it all. When you’re shooting a battle scene, yeah, you could do it in a studio with a green screen and a tennis ball. But it helps if you have some other people there and the scene is really set in the middle of a desert or jungle or wherever you are. From the production design, everyone is so wonderful. I was telling the head of the sound department the other day – just the sound, everything down to the sound and over to the sound is so crisp and wonderful that it makes a difference. Every single element makes a difference and everyone is playing their game at a pro level.

Q) JT has struck a chord with fans and has become a favorite character. What do you think it is that connects viewers to him?

A) Thank you for saying so and it has been great to see that response. Again, for me, I think it comes down the chemistry (as we mentioned before), but also it’s a testament to Chris, Sam, FOX and Warner Brothers for hiring actors who can do their jobs to begin with on such a pro level. I’m not just tooting my own horn. I’m talking about everyone. So, what that does is when I’m put in these circumstances from episode to episode, I’m able to create a full and rich character like JT because I have such great characters to bounce off of. We all do our homework, we come to the table ready to play and we all come ready for anything. And we’re willing to try things! I think one of the things fans are experiencing is actors who are willing to take risks. Sometimes those risks end up on screen and sometimes they don’t. But we’re willing to take the leap first and ask questions later. As long as it’s true to the character and as long as it is true to the story; I think that’s what you’re experiencing. Its’ really so fun for me to be able to do that as JT Tramel and have people get good vibes from it.

Q) Is there anything else you want to share about your character or tease about upcoming storylines?

A) I think we’re going to get to see, again, how his relationship develops with Bright and how they become potentially a little bit closer for a time. As far as dreams and hopes, I think that I’m excited to explore at some point some of JT’s military background as well as his family history – growing up New York City. He didn’t come from much, but he had a loving mother and grandmother and a father who may not be around as much, but believes in him and they have a relationship. So, these are all things that I hope to see come out soon. If not this season, then next season (fingers crossed). There is a lot of real estate here. A lot of characters and a lot of real estate. And we have great people at the wheel with Chris and Sam and the writing team. I’m confident that all that needs to be revealed will be revealed soon enough and we’ll all get to continue this lovely journey together.