Jake Robinson – American Odyssey

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) Mainly because of the nature of how television for series regulars work, I have mostly been working on “American Odyssey,” but I have been developing some of my own projects that are in the works. I’ve started a production company this year as well. So, I’m trying to develop some of my own work and there are a couple workshops of different plays and musicals I have been working on that hopefully will go to the stage soon. I definitely hope my next project is something on stage.

Q) Please tell us the premise for “American Odyssey” and about your character Harrison Walters.

A) It’s a conspiracy thriller that centers around Anna Friel’s character, Odelle. In the way that it is structured, there are three different leads. My character, Harrison Walters, is an opportunist and trust fund kid who comes from wealthy parents. He has gotten involved in political activism, but as the most recent episode has shown things become more personal for him with the death of his father. The journey in finding if Odelle is alive or proving that she is still alive becomes much more personal. The character is definitely someone who is searching for his identity and trying to find out what he wants to do and what his passion is. Peter Decker (Peter Facinelli) is a corporate attorney who works for a company that is funding the terrorism overseas and is kind of coming after Odelle. Based on what he uncovers, he is trying to play a good moral character at his company and fact check what they are doing. Hopefully, he can get her home alive and get behind what is going on.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) It was kind of one of those things where I read the script and I was so engaged with it. It was so fast paced and edge-of-your-seat, similar to how the show is playing out. I couldn’t help, but want to be a part of it. I loved the current feel to it. There was a lot of stuff going on with the script that was happening today. I just thought it was a really exciting, relevant script. It’s always exciting to me when ever I can get onboard with a story that I enjoy.

Q) What have you added to the role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think mostly just myself. A lot of time, as an actor, your number one job is to bring as much of yourself to a role as possible. For me, as the script developed and things got more and more personal for him, it became more personal for me and delving into myself emotionally. It was learning a lot about myself and the character of Harrison as we went along.

Q) What has been challenging for you with your portrayal?

A) It has been a really challenging project! It took a dedication and an openness emotionally and an availability to what is going in the story. As you can see, it’s an inside story and there is a lot to it. It takes a certain level of commitment to be able to pull it off.

Q) Was there instant chemistry when the cast began working together or did you spend some time to bond?

A) We spend a lot of time working together, obviously. I always try, especially during the pilot shot in Boston, to spend time getting to know the cast. I got to know Nate Mooney, who plays Bob Offer, and Daniella Pineda who plays Ruby. We all got along great. We were all on the same page as far as the expectation of what the project was and the level of commitment. So, it was really a joy to come in and shoot with these people who you knew were equally excited about it as you were. Also, we had a lot of outside rehearsal time. Nate and I would work on Bob and Harrison scenes on the roof of his apartment in Brooklyn and we did a lot of rehearsal and prep time, which is rare for a television show. Usually, you don’t have that much time to do that. Luckily, with the way this project was structured, it allowed us to rehearse and go off the normal television schedule with the way we prepared for it.

Q) What have been your most memorable moments from filming?

A) The giant protest scene where the cat video gets played – it was a really intense and a great scene to film. All the extras were super into it, which was amazing because they had been standing around all day and it’s been a long day. So, it was great to have the support of a wonderful cast of extras going along for the ride during that speech. In episode four there is a similar scene, which is not a protest scene, but a similar long speech that I give and that was a really intense and wonderful scene to shoot. Later, there are some fight scenes and trouble that I get into that were really fun for me. It was new to me because there were stunts, choreography and driving. That happens a little bit later, but those were a few challenges for me that I was looking forward to when becoming an actor. I really enjoyed working on them and they were tough. There was definitely a learning curve because a lot of the stuff was a first time thing for me, but I think it turned out pretty well.

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has made it a quick fan favorite?

A) I just think it is a great story and I think it is a human story. I think it makes the people really feel for the characters. They are all very relatable characters and hopefully people are going along with us emotionally for the ride that these characters are going on. I think it does a really good job of capturing their circumstances and putting it on screen that engages you as an audience member it makes you feel like you are apart of it. There is so many things going on in each episode. There are so many twists and turns. At the end, Frank (Sherman Augustus) has the video tape. How does he get it? Then, my father gets shot. Ruby is the one who killed him. That was all in one episode! It’s amazing to have that many twists in one episode and you look forward to that every episode because it keeps that up. It constantly keeps you on your toes.

Q) Is there anything you want to be sure fans know about Harrison and “American Odyssey?”

A) I think the entire cast and crew and everyone behind it is incredibly proud of it and we are excited to share it with everyone. I think the show speaks for itself. It’s just a fantastic story and it’s really a privilege to be on it and on screen every Sunday and be on the journey with the fans as things unfold.

Q) What have you taken away from your time working on the show?

A) I grew a lot as an actor and as a person. I learned a lot about myself and what is going on in the world through research and the show. I’m getting a better sense of who I am and what I want to do as Harrison does as well.

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive when the show is airing?

A) Yes! Absolutely! It’s great. I think it is a necessary part of being an actor on television today. I think we are lucky enough to have fans who are watching the show so there is no reason that we shouldn’t be engaging with them and helping to build excitement with the show. I think it builds a nice bridge for core fans to interact with actors of the shows that they are enjoying. It makes it all feel a little more real and close to home. With that comes negative and positive things so I’m trying to make sure that I am not over doing my social media and really making it about the show and promoting the show. I’m trying to make sure it is appropriate because also with social media there is not really a consequence to the people who engage with you. There is a double-edged sword to that, but it has been an incredibly enjoyable experience interacting with the fans.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I just want to thank them so much for their continual support and encourage them to keep watching and enjoying it. Know that we as actors and members of the show are always reading and are aware of the feedback, response and things that they are saying. I really appreciate all of the engagement and the fabulous fans of the show and for me, personally, through my short career so far. Hopefully, things will continue you.