Mark Gagliardi – Blood & Treasure

By: Paige Zinaman

Q) Congratulations on the premiere of “Blood & Treasure.” Season Two. What can you tease is new this season and with Chuck? 

A) Thanks! I breathed such a sigh of relief when we got our airdate since we finished the show at the end of 2020. Leave it to our team to start with the cliffhangers before the season even starts airing! I suppose that’s what I can tease: weekly cliffhangers and twists and plots and heists and references to movies I had on VHS as a kid. As for Father Chuck, this time the danger hits closer to home and I’m excited to show you where that takes him, both in terms of the character’s journey and where it physically takes him — we had some really wild locations this season.

Q) What continues to challenge you about portraying this role?

A) One unique challenge in playing Father Chuck is finding the right level of self-aware fun for any given scene. His point of view is informed by both the high stakes of whatever situation he’s in and his active imagination that knows he is on an adventure.

Q) In the latest episode we see Chuck really embrace the bartender life. Despite having some beverage skills that we saw on “Drunk History,” have you had to do any behind the bar training for this season? 

A) All of the behind-the-bar training I received happened long before “Blood & Treasure,” but I’m glad that knowledge stuck because I have been called upon to play bartenders more than once. I love the bar life (it’s where I’ve had many of my best heart-to-hearts) and I think Chuck believes that being a priest is like being a bartender because he’s the kind of guy that meets people where they are.

Q) You’ve worked on other shows. How is “Blood & Treasure” different from your previous television work on and what do you think you’ve taken from other roles and brought to Father Chuck?

A) For me, “Blood & Treasure” has been different than any other show because it’s the dream job. It was a really big leap as far as my level of responsibility on a TV show. I was used to guest roles or small arcs but this time I was able to dive deep into creating a character, one that I have now lived with and learned from for two seasons. Rehearsals became less about blocking and more about playing. So, yes, it’s different from TV jobs that I am used to, but I like to think my work on “Blood & Treasure” is informed by what I’ve done before. It’s like sports — I’m in the starting lineup for this team right now but I learned how to play from every team, every game and especially every player and coach I’ve come across. Many have taught me, driven me and impressed me. A few have changed me.

Q) The dynamic between you and your castmates is incredible to see on screen. Were you hoping to share more scenes in Season Two with someone(s) in particular?

A) I’m so glad you say that and that it comes across on screen. This cast really loves each other. I mean, we were destined to become a closeknit squad because of all of the traveling together. Everywhere we shot was away from home for most of the cast (and the crew when we were overseas), so the shared experience really bonded us. Chuck is kind of off on his own adventure for much of this season, so I wish I had more scenes with Matt [Barr], Sofia [Pernas], Michelle [Lee] and Mike [James Shaw]. And I would love to do as much on-screen acting with James Callis as I do off-screen goofing around. It’s funny, thanks to all the travel, even when we’re not working together in the same scenes, we are all still generally in the same sandbox for the duration of production, which I really value.

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from filming on Season Two or favorite episodes fans should look out for?

A) One of my favorite memories of Season Two is all the time spent rehearsing in a hotel suite in Rome with Victoria [Diamond] for the next day’s scenes. We both came from the theatre world and love rehearsing, so she was a great partner. One particular day we heard music wafting in and opened the window to find an opera singer busking on Via del Corso below. We just stopped, poured tea, leaned out and listened for a while. It was pretty magical. Also, the first day I stepped onto our set in Thailand and saw the sprawling temple compound before me was another special one. This whole experience has been a series of “pinch me” moments. Then, of course, the pandemic hit while we were filming in Bangkok and planning to film in Rome. When we resumed production, about six months later, we were working with understandably strict COVID protocols. Some of the most memorable moments of the season happened because of the situation we found ourselves in and the on-the-fly adjustments that we’d have to make. As for favorite episodes fans should look out for, I don’t want to give away too much, but once again I have been able to check a few things off of my action show bucket list – getting blown up, a creepy tomb at night, a long tracking shot of a battle and – my personal favorite – whistling the show’s theme song during a heist. See? I told you Chuck knew he was on an adventure. Try to spot that one.

Q) Being two seasons in on “Blood & Treasure,” has there been a storyline that you haven’t done yet that you’d love to do? 

A) Hmm… A storyline I would love to do that we haven’t done yet… I want to be the first fictional TV show to shoot on all seven continents. We’ve shot in North America, Asia, Africa and Europe, so I guess the story I would like to see revolves around an Australian supervillain who steals an ancient Incan treasure from South America with the help of a team of Antarctic penguins.

Q) Besides the good balance of action and comedy. What is it about “Blood & Treasure” that you think resonates with viewers? 

A) I think that what resonates with viewers about “Blood & Treasure” is the characters. I had an improv teacher who used to say, “Who, what, where… really it’s all about the who.” We can have Danny and Lexi in a dangerous situation, but it hooks us because we know how much they love each other. Not everyone knows an arms dealing badass like Shaw, but everyone knows someone who is super sensitive and particular about their houseplants. I think that with the heists and the exotic locales that much of the magic of the show is in the what and the where, but really it’s all about the who.

Q) Social media is a huge part of television today particularly when the show is on a streaming service like Paramount + so you have that instant feedback within seconds. Being a part of social media yourself, do you enjoy seeing the instant feedback from fans? 

A) I love seeing instant feedback on social media from fans. I grew up on stage and have always loved connecting with live audiences. It’s the original instant feedback. If something works you know it. If something doesn’t work, you know it. Sometimes it’s audible. Sometimes it’s just an energy that everyone can feel. With “Blood & Treasure” there’s no live audience but with social media there’s still a direct connection. As an actor I want an audience and, even though I can’t hear the laughs or the gasps, the audience can still engage. That’s one reason I am so excited to be on Paramount+. It’s the home of shows with legendary fandoms and I would love to see ours grow. Plus, it’s fun that Chuck and Danny are fanboys on the show.

Q) Are there any new projects lined up that fans can look forward to seeing you in? 

A) As far as upcoming stuff, I have a monthly show in Pasadena with the Ensemble Shakespeare Theatre that’s a lot of fun. I’m also in year seven of my podcast with my comedy partner Hal Lublin on the Maximum Fun network. It’s called “We Got This with Mark & Hal” and we objectively settle tiny subjective debates (like liquid vs. bar soap and whether or not ketchup belongs on a hot dog) for all people for all time in perpetuity. So, you know, important stuff.

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

A) To fans and supporters of my work I will say simply, “Thank you.” I’ll try to always make fun, interesting choices and be worthy of your fandom and support.