Joseph Morgan – Brave New World

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) We’ve been seeing you here, and we’ll be seeing you here in Brave New World. How close is it to the original, Aldous Huxley imaginations?

A) In terms of the world that it sets up, it’s pretty close. And then in terms of the initial storyline, it’s pretty close. Like two people from New London go to the savage land, and they bring back a savage who’s then like a fish out of water in New London, you know? Then, from that point on, it kind of takes a turn, and certainly in the finale it becomes its own show.

Q) What drew you to be a part of the series for you? How did it come across your desk?

A) It came across, my manager read it and thought it had some interesting parts in it. We weren’t sure which parts but he just thought I should read it. And so, I’d never read the book, it wasn’t part of the curriculum in school for me. We studied literature like 1984 and The Handmaid’s Tale. I never read Brave New World so I read the script and that’s where I kind of got interested and intrigued by it and I think it was really, really well written. And I love the world it set up. I was fascinated by this world. And I wanted to be a part of it, but I wasn’t sure where the character was going because he’s sort of on the periphery of the first few episodes. He has a journey that we follow throughout the first eight episodes. I would explain it like this…We keep touching base with him throughout the season and then in the finale it becomes this massive journey and his coming into his own. So, obviously, I wasn’t aware of that having only read the first two scripts. We’ve really been getting on the phone with David Wiener and recognizing the passion for this character, which is where I started to get really excited about CJack60 specifically.

Q) Was there some aspect of him that you really find yourself connecting with, more than say, other parts of his personality?

A) His was an awakening in the show, and so, that’s what I really was excited about. The way he opens up, compared to the way he starts, it’s such a huge journey. Such an incredible leap. And so the thing that I connected to the most, I would say, was I really loved the character would have to stay so present all the time because he’s not drawing on the past or worrying about the future. He’s really just in the moment that he’s in and connecting with the stimulation all around him. Almost like a child does, you know? And so, uh… and in some ways he is very much a child, at least when it starts. He’s still processing these emotions which he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t have the vocabulary to understand what he’s feeling. And that’s his journey. That’s what he learns throughout, how to feel, how to question his place in the world.

Q) What was it like for you having to physically embody him? I mean, you had to cut your curly hair and you trimmed off that stubble you were used to. Was it just like transforming into a new form of Joseph or sort of finding the original Joseph to you?

A) It was a low maintenance Joseph, which was quite enjoyable. Three minutes in the makeup trailer in the morning. Well, because there’s no hair to do and maybe I have to shave but I do that on my own. So, that was nice. I wanted him to look different as well. I like the idea of him looking very different to Klaus just because I played that character for so long. And that’s important to differentiate, even just at first glance, between the characters. And that’s what we did. Certainly, in the way that he dresses and then in his demeanor, as well, but also in the look. And so it was a process. But it was great. You kind of get up in the morning and feel like, “I’m ready.” “I’m ready to go.”

Q) Well with such an interesting story line and intense themes, how did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) I just always find that a bit strange because we do shoot long days. I think 12 hours, 14 hours days sometimes. But that’s the same on a lot of jobs I do. And I just happen to need that wind down time. You can’t come home and go straight to bed. You have to sort of, wind down and if my wife is with me, as she usually is, we’ll talk about it. And I’ll just kind of be – I’m able to expel it. But I find it does, it does take a bit of time. I’ve done the same thing during theater. You come off stage and then you go out. You can’t just go to bed because your adrenaline is up there and whether the day was a good one or a bad one it certainly affected you. Because acting is so emotionally connected your job is literally to express these emotions and so it takes a little bit of decompression.

Q) I find the series is such a great, refreshing take on the original book and it’s also sort of very timely, at the moment. What do you think it is about now that makes “Brave New World” such an appropriate release?

A) Well, it’s a vision of the future, which has come about because society wasn’t working. And to feel like right now it feels like it- it’s not working. Certainly, here in America where I am, it feels like we have a global pandemic and there’s a lot of turmoil and people are not satisfied and it feels like the government is failing us. And so, the idea of looking at these ultimate futures, this ultimate way of existence is quite intriguing. I’ve always found that interesting though. A lot of the time it provides a different way for people to live their lives morally. Like if you lived in New London, would you choose to be happy and to live this kind of satisfying, yet shallow existence? Or would you rage against the system and strive for freedom? Which also equals pain. And it’s a deeper connection, but with that comes these negative things because you are no longer living in the bubble. So, it’s quite interesting to me, the question that’s brought up through that.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan response and seeing how, maybe fans sort of connect to the story as well?

A) Yeah, I am. I think there’s a lot of positivity out there. It’s a mixed bag with social media, for me, because I do like the connect with fans and I’m active on Twitter and Instagram and Twitch. But there’s a flip side to the con because having played a character that people did connect with for so many years. There’s always the portion of people who sort of only want to see you as that role…from that point on. People kind of been locked in to this idea of like, “That’s what I want from you.” And I find it quite interesting because there’s a sense of ownership over you sometimes. Like, “We want to control what you do.” And I find that spreads throughout. There’s a lot of positivity, by the way. Most of it is positivity and support, I will say that. But there’s the occasional thing of like, “Can you wear this jumper?” Or “Can you take the hat off?” It’s very much like trying to control everything about you, which I instantly rebel against. And I’m not one to be really told what to wear or what to do. I don’t like that at all. But, yeah, in general…the base has been incredibly supportive and I am excited for the people to see it because I do feel like CJack has a very emotionally involved journey and I feel like people will like the character and I’m excited for people to come on that journey with me.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the incredible work you do and are coming along for this ride with “Brave New World?”

A) Well, first of all, thank you so much for sticking with me for so long. And I’m excited for you guys to see “Brave New World.” And my advice would be to binge the whole thing… because then you really get to connect the dots with CJack60 and what I’m most excited for people to see is the finale. I want to hear about what you thought of the finale because what an explosive, emotional end to CJack’s journey within this season, at least. That’s what I want to hear about.