By: Malasha Parker
Q) As someone who is playing a new character on “Brilliant Minds,” what drew you to this medical drama?
A) As someone playing a new character in “Brilliant Minds” what drew me to the show was the Pilot. There was a specific, cinematic tone. The characters felt deliberate and thorough. At the end of the Pilot I thought, “Whoa. This is a world I’d love to be a part of,” and I’m grateful to be a part of it now.
Q) How was Dr. Anthony Thorne originally described to you?
A) Dr. Anthony Thorne was described to me as a mid-career ER doctor, charmingly acerbic, and allergic to anything or anyone too earnest. That Thorne yearns for high octane, emergency cases. Life and death moments somehow lower his blood pressure.
Q) What has the atmosphere on set been like for you after joining “Brilliant Minds” in the second season?
A) The atmosphere on set is wonderful. The cast and crew are fantastic, hilarious and committed to making every episode the best it can be. There’s a deep respect as well for the characters and the world we are swimming in. One of the things that jumped off the screen to me in the Pilot and throughout the first season was the chemistry that existed in the hospital between the characters. When I arrived to set it made total sense to me. That energy on screen was an extension of the care and commitment that exists on the set each day.
Q) Dr. Thorne is an acerbic character who believes in helping as many people as possible but not always in the biggest way. How does this cause problems for him this season?
A) I think that Dr. Thorne does believe in helping as many people as possible and the “biggest way” to him may not be the “biggest way” to other people. Dr. Thorne has to stabilize and assess dozens, if not hundreds, of patients – efficiently, decisively and in the doing of those things there is care. There are other doctors in the hospital who are afforded more time to singularly focus on a patient. Both care, both are doing their best inside of the hospital system, but there is fundamental difference in how that causes conflict. One person’s care can look like neglect to another. That dissonance is delicious, and so human.
Q) Dr. Thorne and Dr. Wolf work in different departments and also see their work at the hospital in different ways. How will we see this create conflict for Thorne and Wolf throughout the season?
A) Like I mentioned before Dr. Wolf (Zachary Quinto) and Dr. Thorne both want to help patients in the best way possible, but they have different functions inside of the hospital. One to stabilize, the other to specialize. Those functions can clash and bring up ideas about who each other are. Throughout the season we will see how they learn each other’s language and perhaps understand that they are two sides of a similar coin. OR not. Time will tell.
Q) Why do you think Dr. Thorne has become so comfortable in his position and is opposed to earnestness from others?
A) I think Dr. Thorne has become comfortable in his position because it requires radical presence. There’s no room to try to be somewhere else physically or mentally. That kind of absence can mean missing something, and that miss could cost a life. I’m sure Dr. Thorne, in all his years, has not escaped this reality. Dr. Thorne also believes in what he does. Now, to the question of earnestness, I think the follow up is…earnest for what? Approval? Praise? From whom and why? All of that is wasted energy in a space where we should be entirely focused on our patient.
Q) If you can tease, what were some of your favorite episodes to film this season?
A) One of my favorite episodes to film was one where we get to see everyone glammed out. Glorious. That’s all I’ll say about that.
Q) You’ve played a variety of characters over the years, both in comedic and dramatic roles. How has each role shaped you and prepared you for the next one?
A) Each role has its own journey, and each role has shaped me in different ways. I feel like they all leave me with gifts, and sometimes I don’t fully grasp what they’ve given me until much later.
Q) What is next for you? Have you been busy working on some other projects lately?
A) What is next for me is the episode I’m working on, and I do have other projects I’m cooking while I’m up here in Toronto shooting. I’ve been writing a few scripts – a one-man show for the theater and other projects for the TV/Film space. Including doing some prep for a documentary.
Q) What would you like to say to fans of you and your work?
A) I would like to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.