Mark O’Brien – City on a Hill

By starrymag | July 14, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) Well, we just finished wrapping season one of “City on a Hill.” Before that I did a movie called Ready or Not, which is coming out August 23. Before that, I did a film called Hammer, which is just finishing up post-production. I’m always writing and working on my own things. So, that’s kind of what I’m doing now. I have a couple of things in development.

Q) How was the premise for the series “City on a Hill” originally described to you?

A) I first just got the script so I just read it. I thought it was great. All I knew was that it was a crime show set in Boston. I didn’t really know much else until I started reading it. I realized it was much more of that. It kind of gets into the lives of a lot of different people and a lot of different points of view and showing how a hiccup in a city as big as Boston and such a kind of wild time as the early 90’s doesn’t happen over night and there are a lot of complications that ensue. I think it really delve into the intricacies of that situation.

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

A) No, I always try to follow the script as closely as I can (of course). First of all, you want to respect the writer, but you also want to respect the story. You don’t want to delve from what they created because that could change ten variables. But every time I do something, and certainly with “City on a Hill,” I try to bring my own experience to it because at the end of the day when you’re watching the show it is me playing that role. So, I think it’s the responsibility of an actor to bring some sort of history to it and personality to it. The way I looked at Jimmy Ryan was that he certainly is a wild, firecracker of a character (sort of an antagonist in a lot of ways), but I thought that someone who was that emotional and volatile that their emotions were always going up and down and all over the place. So, I thought it would be interesting if he was also pretty vulnerable. That was already in the script, for sure, that Chuck MacLean (who created the show) had already put in the blueprint. But for me, personally, I wanted to add that there was such a vulnerability to this guy, like emotionally, so he wasn’t just this tough dude from Charlestown. He’s pretty damaged.

Q) How did you get into character?

A) I’m not one of those actors…I normally just think about it a lot beforehand. I watch a lot of movies and I interact with people. I’m a pretty observant person, I guess. So, once I read a script, I’ll read it many times and just kind of let it sit with me for a while. I find, for me, I think it’s hard to over-prepare for an actor. I shouldn’t say it’s “hard.” It can be detrimental if you over-prepare because then you’re coming in with a set idea that you then aren’t able to change. So, I always kind of let the whole thing sit with me and then when I get into costume (which totally helps every performance)…You get into hair and makeup and then you get on the set and you feel your surroundings, then you’re able to just kind of go with it. That way always works for me rather than kind of planning…not even planning out a scene, but planning out a character too much. It’s like I just need to know the emotional through line of what they are doing and then when you get into the space you have to be willing to change it. Certainly, the set and the wardrobe and those things take over once you kind of lay the foundation down.

Q) The show is produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. How hands on were the with production?

A) To be honest, I never worked with Matt and Ben. I haven’t met them personally, but they were instrumental in getting the show made and started. I’m such a fan of those guys and to be in their company at all is great. As an actor most times you don’t meet all of the producers because they don’t all need to be on set every day. Sometimes it can harm the process if you have too many cooks. So, I think we had the right amount of people we needed on set. [laughs] Obviously, if Ben and Matt were to stop by I would be very excited. I know Ben came to set a couple of times and I wasn’t there that day. But I know they that they are hands on, but I personally haven’t had any work experience with them.

Q) Talk about working with Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge.

A) Kevin is just a pro through and through. Everyone knows who he is and everyone knows his resume. Then, when you work with him it all just makes sense. [laughs] You’re just like, “Oh! Wow! Okay. So, this guy is everything you would expect and hope he would be, really.” He’s very, very professional. He’s very prepared. He just brings a great energy to set. He’s kind to everyone. There is really not a negative thing I could say about Kevin because every aspect of what he does, from what I’ve witnessed, is extremely positive and helpful and supportive. I would do ten movies with Kevin and only be so lucky. Aldis is a bit more low-key, I think. He’s a quieter kind of guy. He goes about his business and then he shocks you sometimes on camera because he has such a power to him. There is such a dynamic force behind Aldis in his look and in those eyes and the weight he carries with him with this character. It’s really impressive. He’s a beast. He’s a really impressive actor.

Q) How does the city of Boston play almost a role itself in the series?

A) Well, it’s a funny thing because Boston is such a character and it’s a reference point. Everyone knows Boston. It’s not like a town of 7,000 people. There is a pretty big awareness about Boston, which I actually think is helpful to the show because it’s less exposition needed for the show because we kind of know Boston and have seen Boston crime movies before. So, we kind of have a bit of an understanding going into it. The way it plays a role, I think that’s personal to each viewer. Boston is such an interesting city, especially back then. There was a lot of crime, but it’s also a leading city of education in the world and sports and so many things. My viewpoint might be different than someone else’s. I certainly have a lot of affinity for the city and I think at that time it definitely is a character itself. But I think it’s going to be different to each person. And that’s what it is cool about it, you want everyone to have a different feeling.

Q) Was there someone you were hoping to share a scene with?

A) I was very excited to work with Kevin [Chapman]. I work with him quite a lot on the show and I was extremely excited. It would be silly of anyone to say they wouldn’t want to work with Kevin Bacon. Everyone wants to and most of our scenes were one-on-one. So, it was really great just working with him and seeing how he does it. And Jonathan Tucker who plays my brother! I think he’s one of the best actors I’ve ever seen or worked with. I just feel privileged to be in a scene with him because he brings it every single time and he’s very professional. But we also have fun too and then he just goes in and kills it. He takes his work very seriously and I appreciate that a lot as an actor and as a friend.

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) That’s a good question. My wife and my eighteen-month-old daughter were with us while we were shooting. I live in LA so I’d normally get home and then it would be daddy duty. It was kind of a crazy time in life – living somewhere and playing this wild character and then coming home and immediately it’s daddy time. But, to be honest, it’s the greatest experience of my life. And I’m not just saying that. I really mean it because I love this role and I love this show. I love what Chuck created. I really like these producers (Tom Fontana). I love working with these people who I look up to and have for a really long time. Jennifer Todd is another producer I greatly admire. And Matt and Ben. And then I get to come home and hear my daughter’s footsteps running around the corner to give me a hug. So, I can’t even express that. You know what? It was really quick to shake off a day’s work, to be honest, because as soon as I see my daughter and my wife I am just really happy. I couldn’t ask for more.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) There are a couple scenes that we can’t give away, but in episodes 9 and 10 this series really ramps up. A series like this that is so sprawling and such an ensemble most of the “payoffs” come in the second half of the series because we’re setting up so much. Where when you have a high-concept show, like a sci-fi show, they are kind of selling that stuff early on because the world is kind of the main selling point of the show in a way. And I don’t mean marketing. I mean story-point – the main story-point of the show. A show like this you need to know the characters first in this real-life scenario and then you kind of see where it is goes later. So, in episodes 9 and 10 the drama just really ramps up. There are some scenes that I just can’t give away, but there are a number of scenes that were really challenging and kind of changed me as an actor – for sure. It was unlike anything I’ve done before and that’s all every actor wants – to be challenged and to show what you got. I got to do that to a greater or lesser degree.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you been enjoying the instant fan feedback you have been receiving to the episodes?

A) Yeah, so far, it’s been pretty positive. I don’t really pay attention to negative stuff. I don’t really have a chance to. It’s been mostly positive. I try my best to kind of just promote and walk away from social media stuff because there is a lot of negativity out there in general. With the show, I’ve seen nothing but positivity, to be honest. I think people are really liking it. I more listen to the kind of info I get from people I know and personal friends. It’s nice to connect with fans and everything, but when it is someone you know or someone you’ve known for a long time it kind of means a lot to you. I have people I haven’t talked to in five years sending me messages that they’re loving the show. That means so much to me. But most of the reactions I’ve seen across the board have been positive. So, fingers crossed that people keep liking it.

Q) You often take on dramatic roles. What is it about this genre that draws you to it?

A) It’s funny. I started out when I was younger doing mostly comedy. I think it’s just…I don’t know. Comedy is hard, as an actor and as a writer. Comedy is hard to pull off. I’ll read scripts that are comedies and it’s a tough one. I’m really impressed when someone can pull off a great comedy because it’s not easy to do and that’s why I tend to not do it as much because I don’t see as much quality comedic writing. That’s not a slight against anybody! That just goes to show how hard it is, so when you do something that is pretty strong then it is that much more impressive. You’re like, “Wow! They really pulled off a feat there.” So, most of the good work I see coming in just happens to be drama. And I do like playing dramatic roles. I guess it’s because those are the kinds of movies that I like to watch. I don’t see a lot of comedies. So, I guess that’s just my taste.

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

A) Thank you! [laughs] Just thank you! I’m a huge supporter of the arts, in general, and it’s a tough job. It’s really hard. Just like every other artist, I’ve dealt with so many rejections and heartbreak and disappointments…just troubles across the boards. So, when anyone is watching what you do (whether it is watching it for entertainment or to support you) I have nothing but thanks to give them and appreciation because they could be doing anything else and they are deciding to watch something that you worked so hard on. So, for anyone who is watching anything I do, I just really appreciate it. If they like it, great. If they don’t, I hope they like the next one.