Garrett Maggart – The Sentenial

Q.  “The Sentinel” is a cult favorite show.  Why do you think that it has taken so long to release this show as a DVD set?

A.  I don’t know, some other people have asked me that before also.  I look around at some of the stuff that is out, and most of the things that are out, to my knowledge are more like critically acclaimed shows like “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City” and “Friends.”  I don’t really see too many obscure box sets so I think it’s actually a good thing that it’s even getting out.  We did have a good following but it wasn’t as large obviously as those shows so I think it’s great that a smaller show is getting some recognition and sent out.  I think that most people will enjoy it! 

Q.  What is it about the show that you would say gives it a feel of a comic book come to life?

A.  I would definitely have to say it’s more of the Sci-Fi nature of it.  It falls more in the line, I don’t want to say Batman and Robin, but Batman had more powers than a normal cop.  I think Jim Ellison, having the heightened senses, is what gives it that comic book flair.  I never really thought of it as a comic book show, I never read comic books so then again, maybe it fits the perfect profile for a comic book show!  I would definitely say it’s more of the Sci-Fi nature of it, with the heightened senses and that.

Q.  What originally made you want to be a part of this show?

A.  I really liked the character.  I liked playing a well-read, intelligent person.  Sort of a stretch for me!  Academically speaking I was not the greatest in the world as far as schoolwork came.  So, it was definitely a stretch for me.  But, I also liked his sincerity, his drive to help Jim Ellison and to figure this out.  He also had an ulterior motive, he was trying to write his thesis, so it wasn’t just a completely altruistic adventure on his part.  I really enjoyed all of those aspects of this character and also at the time, it was a job!

Q.  You mentioned your character being comedic, is comedic timing something that comes natural to you or is it something you constantly work at?

A.  I think I’m a funny guy, don’t get me wrong, but I also think it’s whom you work with.  Richard Burgi, Bruce Young and I also had a very similar sense of humor and timing.  We’re all sort of, I don’t know if it’s because we’re all from the East Coast, so we sort of have a little New York/East Coast timing.  It made it very easy to riff on one another, a lot of stuff like the scene tags was just us going off.  It came rather naturally to all three of us, I don’t know if I would have had that same rapport with any other actors.  It just happened that the three of us melded really well together, I think that was part of the appeal too.  It wasn’t just acting like friends, we all got along really well.

Q.  Do you have a favorite episode from the show?

A.  For sure, the pilot.  For me it was the pilot, just getting it all started.  It was my first big part in terms of being the second lead, so it was a lot of pressure and it was so much fun.  The production was so big, I couldn’t tell you amount wise what they spent on the pilot.  Just the explosions alone and flying to Canada to do it, the whole experience, not only the script itself, the actual experience of shooting was my favorite.

Q.  How about a most memorable moment?

A.  There were so many, that’s a hard question to answer, there were so many.  If there was any one single one, there was a scene in the pilot episode.  It was the first scene I ever shot and I was so nervous.  I only had like two lines but I studied those two lines for like four days.  When we went out to that big barn where that switchman was staying that exploded and Jim Ellison and Blair showed up in a jeep.  Just that experience of getting it going, just starting that off really stood out to me and I remember it very vividly.  Just pulling up and getting out of that car, actually doing that thing you’re not supposed to do as an actor, being conscious of the cameras and conscious of the lights.  I was really nervous and that soon vanished and went away and I hope it didn’t read in the scene.  I just remember stepping out and being like, “Here we go!  This it, this is what I wanted!”

Q.  How was the chemistry between you and Richard Burgi develop and translate?

A.  I say more or less as the two character’s friendship developed.  He and I as individuals did not know each other prior to this.  So, it actually went very well in terms of our personal relationship and the character relationship because it was growing simultaneously.  I don’t know if it would have the same dynamic if we worked together prior, earlier in our careers.  Our personal relationship was wonderful and it still is, I am great friends with his family.  I love his wife and his kids and the same with Bruce.

Q.  Why should viewers not familiar with the show take the time to pick up the DVD set?

A.  I think it’s a show that doesn’t follow the same patterns as other shows, it’s a really fun ride.  There are a lot of interesting twists and turns and there are great characters in it.  I can speak for the other people, I think that they are all wonderful actors, and I’ll let them speak for me!  If you like chases and excitement and explosions and also some real personal character develop then this could be the show for you.

Q.  What would you like to say to fans and supporters of the show?

A.  Thank you so much for all of your support throughout the years.  I really appreciate it and I am sure everyone else involved with the show does too.  I think the fans themselves had a large part in it going for as long as it did.  So, I would just say thank you so much for watching the show and please enjoy.