Jake Weber – Hell On Wheels

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

A) I did two independent films. One is called Learning To Drive with Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. The other one is called Hungry Hearts, which stars Adam Driver. Both of them premiered at the Toronto Film Festival so they will be out this year. Then, I just got back from working on “Secrets and Lies” with Ryan Phillippe and Juliette Lewis. I play her husband in that.

Q) You have also recently been in “Hell On Wheels.” How was your character originally described to you?

A) He was originally described as a bureaucrat and I was interested in bringing the Civil War into his biography. He was a Brigadier General and rose quickly through the ranks. He’s a historical figure, John Campbell. Since the Civil War had just ended four years ago when he shows up in Cheyenne, I wanted to bring as much of the soldier into the bureaucrat as I could. A lot of the men in leadership positions in the Union Army had civil leadership positions in government during the Restoration.

Q) What kind of research did you do on John Campbell and what did you add that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) There wasn’t a lot on him. My research involved reading fiction. I read a terrific book called The Son by Philipp Meyer and I reread Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. I also read Deadwood by Pete Dexter. I rewatched Ken Burns’ “The Civil War” documentary series. I have also spent a lifetime watching Westerns. It’s my favorite genre. I wanted to leave some room for imagination. I didn’t want to be too literal with the guy.

Q) Was there anything you found particularly challenging about the role?

A) The mud in Cheyenne is challenging! There is a lot of it. It was a lot of fun to work on the show. John is a lot of fun. He’s a nasty piece of work. He has a wicked sense of humor. He is a force of nature. I enjoyed very much playing him and I also enjoyed the company in Calgary, where we worked.

Q) There was great chemistry between Cullen and John. What was it like working with costar Anson Mount?

A) Anson and I have been friends for many years. He was instrumental in getting me the offer. We had wanted to work together for ten years, since we first worked together. We had wanted to work together again. This proved to be the opportunity.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Hell On Wheels?”

A) I just loved playing this guy. Every episode there was something fun to do. I enjoyed getting into a big mud fight with Colm Meaney in the last episode. There wasn’t a day at work where I wasn’t happy to be there. He was a blast to play and every day at work was fun for me.

Q) What do you think it is about “Hell On Wheels” that has made it such a quick fan favorite show?

A) I think there is a place in the American psyche for Westerns and the frontier. It’s a very well written show and well executed. It’s the cast and crew and the stories are dynamic. It’s a surprising show. You never know when a character is going to meet an untimely end. I don’t think there is anything like it on TV right now. It’s a gritty Western. The Western is now coming back. They are doing some features now, which I think “Hell On Wheels” might have had something to do with. It gets a very strong, loyal audience. The numbers don’t lie.

Q) Season Five has been announced as the final season. What do you hope the legacy is for the show?

A) I hope it will be remembered as an entertaining dynamic Western in the tradition of David Milch’s “Deadwood.” I look at it as a long movie. There are so many great Westerns. It’s a genre that doesn’t date. It’s not inconceivable that the show could be watched for years to come. The great Westerns, whether they were made in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s or 80’s they are always watchable.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I wouldn’t be here if people didn’t want to watch me. I’m always grateful for any work I get. I’m grateful to anyone who enjoys that work because they are the reason I get to do this and not work in a restaurant.