Gethin Anthony – Manhunt: Deadly Games

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) Well…Project wise as well as life wise, this year has been different for everyone of course. I shot a comedy cameo role in an action feature called Knuckledust right after finishing on Manhunt last year. It’s a throwback to classic action movies directed by my very good friend James Kermack and a real departure for me. So, it was hugely exciting to work on. Other than that, I have been able to focus on writing and developing a feature film this year, which I have been meaning to concentrate on for a while now.

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Manhunt: Deadly Games.”

A) This series of “Manhunt” focuses on the events around the bombing of the Olympic games in 1996 and the subsequent search for the culprit. The initial search focused on the wrong man and our show follows the experiences of the wrongly accused Richard Jewell, the law enforcement and journalists involved and the efforts to eventually capture the real culprit.

Q) How was your character FBI Agent Jack Brennan originally described to you?

A) Jack was described to me as a man who is under pressure, desperately trying to do what he believes is right and getting it very wrong as he does so. He goes on a journey not only to capture a dangerous criminal but also one of self-discovery. That arc really appealed to me. How could it not?

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t there for him initially?

A) Andrew’s [Sodroski] writing is so wonderful that really there was more than enough to play with on the page. But I did suggest the name Jack! Though based on real events, my character is a composite of several different people and we needed to come up with a name for him. We discussed a few, but I was chuffed we went with Jack, I just like it.

Q) What keeps challenging you about your portrayal?

A) I found it fascinating but very challenging to play a character who carries a sense of institutional responsibility around with them. Honestly, I’ve played a lot of reprobates and devil-may-care characters in my career. Jack, despite getting a lot of things wrong, does have a sense of responsibility, shame and accountability for his actions. It felt like a change of pace!

Q) What kind of physical prep goes into getting ready for this role?

A) Good question! This one was simple… Can you do the FBI fitness test, Geth? Honest answer… first few times: Hell no. Those folks can move. I researched the test parameters and worked towards being fit enough to pass the test for entry into the FBI training program. It turns out it’s pretty tough. I got there in the end and was staying pretty fit throughout filming, until someone in catering presented us with an entire table of all the different flavor M&Ms as a mid-shoot treat. I think I pounded my body weight in those bad boys. That was a good cheat day.

Q) What have been some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) The scene where Knox (Kelly Jenrette) and Brennan interview Richard Jewell (Cameron Britton) early in the story and play with his emotions to get him to talk. It was devastating watching Cam in that scene. Another great one was the scene where Knox and Brennan share why they got into the FBI. It meant so much to Kelly and I to be able to share that human background for our characters.

Q) How do you shake off long days of shooting?

A) Well… that depends on the project. I had a blast discovering Pittsburgh on this shoot. It’s an amazing city and I made a conscious effort to enjoy as much of it as possible on the off days. There’s an amazing food, music and art scene there. I had a wonderful place to stay with a view of the city, so relaxing on the balcony with home cooked gumbo seemed to do the trick.

Q) Come Season 3, who would you most like to see make an appearance on “Manhunt: Deadly Games?”

A) Denise Gough, Michaela Coel, Jeremy Strong, Paapa Essiedu, and Riz Ahmed. I’d watch them in anything.

Q) What do you think it is about this show that has made it a fast fan favorite action series?

A) I really think a lot of it has to do with Andrew’s writing, the commitment and ambition of all of the directors to get the most out of the constrained resources available and the ingenuity and graft of the crew.

Q) We loved you on the iconic series “Game of Thrones” as Renly Baratheon. What did you personally take away from your time on the series?

A) So very much. I often think of it as a college experience. I learned a lot and made some life-long friendships. I’m still awed by the fortune and the privilege of the experience. It was a very special time. The costume department were also kind enough to send me one of Renly’s stag brooches as a gift, which I was floored by.

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

A) From the bottom of my heart, thank You. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to get to be a part of the stories I do and to have people support me throughout my career has been overwhelming, humbling and deeply touching.