John Pyper-Ferguson – The Last Ship

By starrymag | July 5, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) Honestly, I am too busy for anything else right now!  How awesome is that? Having completed filming on Season 2 of “The Last Ship” and jumping to the corporate dog-eat-dog world of “Suits” on USA, which I am presently shooting. It’s been a bit of a grind finding time to play music and continue with some writing projects I’ve got going.  It’s a first rate problem and I am gladly saddled with it.  Keep the candle burning at both ends!

 

Q) We’ll be seeing you in the new season of “Suits.” What can you tease about your character?

 

A) From the Han Solo-ish character of Tex to Jack Soloff on “Suits.” Sheer poetry. Talk about a change in the wind. And a whole new corporate look. With a last name like Soloff, the guy just might be heartless. He is a man with a plan, vaulting ambition. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. He is out to prove himself and ready to go toe to toe with the big guns at Pearson Specter Litt.  Look out boys and girls, “something wicked this way comes.”

 

Q) The cast has been working together for quite some time. Was there instant chemistry when you began working with them?

 

A) Because of the timing of production, when they brought me onto “Suits,” I shot the lions share of my first four episodes of work in six days. That’s wam bam thank you ma’am, kind of welcome. And “Suits” is words, words, words and more snappy words and stinging dialogue.  It was whirlwind. My first scene I shot was with Rick Hoffman.  Great freakin’ guy.  Total riot. It was the perfect way to kick off the beginning in a brand new world.  Next up was Gabriel Macht and, once again, couldn’t have been more welcoming, absolutely present and wanting to kick some ass together, sweet! Then, I had Gina Torres on my dance card and just wow, the hits just keep on coming. It was a super fun scene to play and she just rolls with it. She is one classy lady and that girl wears some serious kicks on the show! Last, but not least, I squared off with Patrick J. Adams and true to this ensembles form, another great guy who is easy and a real pleasure to be trading jibes and barbs with.  It was an incredibly challenging beginning and everyone was generous, supportive and an honor to work with.  A truly dedicated ensemble.  Seriously, it was like I just got my first hole in one and I owe all of them a drink at the clubhouse!

 

Q) Where do we pick up with “The Last Ship” and Tex Nolan in Season 2?

 

A) The second season is already airing on TNT so Tex a/k/a “Gitmo Guy,” has already stolen a kiss from the good lady doctor and is flying solo  on the streets of Baltimore when he gets word his favorite honey pie is in over her head.  True to the form, a guy who sticks up for the little guy, always ready for the next adventure, he dives back in to save a damsel in distress.  His focus for the second season is the girl in the locket.  He’ll be utilized on some missions while the USS Nathan James gets closer to where he wants go.  It is a Navy vessel, so he will be used in special circumstances.

 

Q) How was your character originally described to you? 

 

A) When I spoke with Hank Steinberg (writer and executive producer) and asked about archetypes, he used Butch and Sundance as an example of the relationship between Tex and Chandler (Eric Dane). They wanted someone who wasn’t enlisted so he could speak to the captain in ways others couldn’t as well as a solid friendship and a Han Solo-ish vibe with Dr. Scott (Rhona Mitra).  Those were the main relationships I would be dealing with in the first season.  They really move on from that in the second season. Tex keeps more to himself and he is one of the gang when it comes to missions.

 

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

 

A) Tex was perfect for me and I knew I could bring something to the table with this guy. I just understood his heartbeat. On top of that, it’s a big show with epic shots. Michael Bay and Platinum Dunes are involved, you might of heard of them. I hadn’t done anything like this before.  All good reasons to walk through the door of opportunity.  And um… I didn’t have a job lined up for like the next ten years so…Ha-ha! So, I made a two season commitment to “The Last Ship” and it was a hundred percent worth it.  And we’ll see where it goes from there…

 

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

 

A) The real thing I add is Tex is life blood. Sure, I add a word or two here or there or pitch a Tex-ism or some business.  That’s win some and lose some territory. Heck, sometimes you pitch something and they give that to another character and I’m like “Argh!” And the writer’s are like “I know, but it was a great idea!”  You just never know. It’s really up to the writing staff and the creators of the show. At one point, I had a song I wrote that was going to be featured on the show, a tribute to my friend Brian who had served in the Royal Navy in WWII. It even said so in the script. Then, they decided on a different song and that’s the way the wind blows sometimes. I bring a guy with a heart of gold, fun loving thrill seeker, who wants to do good and deep deep down he wants to be part of something that is bigger than himself.

 

Q) What keeps challenging you about playing Tex?

 

A) Playing Tex is just dumb fun.  When he is quick with his quips, easy with his irreverence, chases the ladies, finds the light at the end of the tunnel while illuminating different perspectives on circumstances, that’s when he’s at his best. I enjoy being in those combat boots. It’s a huge cast! Crewing the Nathan James takes hundreds of hard working men and woman in service of the Navy and that story needs to be told. It’s a way to represent. So you just have to be on your game when your time comes, then wait and see if that inspires more story and relationships for your character. And heck, it got me a second season on a really cool show.

 

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “The Last Ship?”

 

A) The best and worst moment was golfing with Charles Parnell a/k/a “Master Chief.”  Long story short, we were playing a course in San Diego having finished our shooting day. I hit a golf ball off a rock and it ricocheted right back at me. KERSPLUNK! To the tune of twelve stitches.  Then, just like that game “telephone wire,” it got a bit out of hand as the story soon spiraled into a broken nose and potential reconstruction!  Some folks were freaking out. Tony Mark (an executive producer) came to the emergency ward and settled them down when he saw it was just one hell of a big fat shiner.  We had a good laugh! They gave my scene the next day to Miller, a/k/a Kevin Michael Martin so he really should thank me for his ever expanding role on the show. Ha! (Miller’s great in the second season!) And it only gets better.  I sent a picture of the repaired wound to my dear sweet sister and she said, “Who did that hack job?!” Everybody’s a critic!

 

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

 

A) I just do Twitter at @johnny_pypes. I enjoy it. It’s a great way to communicate with fans.  Immediate feedback baby! Bring it!

 

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

 

A) It’s a winner.  Everybody likes a winner.  And these folks set out to win. As for Tex and me, the role that lets me bring my joy of acting to table and that gets to shine through from time to time. Tex is different from the rest of the crew of the Nathan James. Truly, he belongs on the Island of Misfits. He’s a bit Ben Gunn from Treasure Island. He wants something, he goes for it. He’s a guy who doesn’t have quit in him.  And he’s willing to risk life and limb to get there.  What’s not to dig about that?

 

Q)Is there anything else you want to be sure to share with fans about the new season of The Last Ship?

 

A) Hang onto your hats! It’s a heck of ride. There will be casualties of war, tons of action and a whole new slew of ass kicking characters (especially Bren Foster – that guy can kick some ass). And my friend Jocko Sims (known as Burky to Tex) has a great story line this season. It’s Chandler-o-rama baby! Adam Baldwin is back at it big time and Dr. Scott makes some surprising choices. If you want to find out about the girl in the locket you’ll have to tune in all season long, you’ll love it.

 

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

A) Man, many heartfelt thanks.  Keep watching and I promise to keep bringing it in what ever guise I take on.  And if you want to see more, let the powers that be know that.  Let people know what you love to watch.  Acting is not a career, it’s a revolution! Or maybe just evolution.  Keep on keeping on!