Patrick Heusinger – Absentia

By starrymag | June 21, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) Since we wrapped Season 2 last December, I’ve spent the last six months away from acting to pursue multiple interests. One of them was spending time with my girlfriend. She lives in Brazil and I lived there for two months. I was able to start learning her culture and meet a lot of her friends. I also had some close friends of mine join me for a bit down there. It was an extraordinary experience to say the least. You can see some of those moments on Instagram!!

 

I also pursued an education in music. One of my best friends, William Ryan Key, invited me to join him in his self-titled band after he released two EPs. The music is very Elliot Smith or Phoebe Bridgers. I loved what he wrote and was honored to have the opportunity to do a US/Canadian Tour for the first time at the age of 38. Pretty amazing experience and it has opened up my curiosity to return to songwriting and music.  AND I’ve been learning guitar. I keep saying, “I won’t stop until I can play Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix.”

 

Q) What can you tease is in store this season on “Absentia” and with your character Nick?

 

A) Fans are gonna love what they wrote for Nick this year. Last season, I mean…What do human beings who have lost someone and actually think they’re gone for forever… what do they do? How do they live? What decisions do they make to cope with the trauma? We never really saw any onscreen coping mechanisms. This year they wrote a Nick Durand actively trying to cope. Actively trying to manage the horrors of watching someone you love reappear after presumed dead by EVERYONE; the government, the parents, the sibling, the family.

 

 

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t in Nick’s original breakdown?  

 

A) Good question! These are the things I always forget. At the beginning, while in development, there was such a presence of collaboration on things like this and I really can’t remember who suggested what, which is good. Because no one person is responsible for any of the characters on our show coming to life. It definitely takes a village when filming anything. Every award winner for anything in film should start their speeches: this is for everyone involved in this. Because, at the end of the day, I’m not responsible for this, but I’m clearly getting the credit.

 

Q) Going into Season 2, was there someone(s) you were hoping to share a scene with that you hadn’t work with much or at all in Season 1?

 

A) Yes!! Neil Jackson and Paul Freeman. Not many scenes Season 1. And, honestly, not many in this season. But I always love being on set with them.

 

Q) Talk about working with costar Stana Katic.  

 

A) She’s really great in Season 2!! You’re gonna love her work!  She always brings it and it’s a pleasure getting to work opposite her.

 

Q) What has been your favorite part of filming in Bulgaria?

 

A) The people. Legit, we have an amazing crew. I’ve worked with crews all over the world and I just love the vibe on set with our crew. Season 2 was especially nice because we all got to know each other a little bit better. Season one we were all on a runaway train!

 

Q) Which of the interrogation scenes was your favorite to film?

 

A) Ooooooooo. That’s tough. I was very fortunate to have realllllly great talent sitting across from me this year in those scenes. If I pick one, it would be the Tyler Brandon Mills scenes because the writing was so good. That coupled with an electric and chilling performance by Joshua James made it standout.

 

Q) The show is such an emotional roller-coaster. How did you shake off a long day of filming? 

 

A) By binging “Black Mirror” or a warm shower or a stop at the pub usually with some of my cast-mates!

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you’ll receive for Season 2?

 

A) Of course! Bring it!! Keep it coming! At the end of the day, we are making a TV show for an audience. If I learned anything from watching “Game of Thrones’” final season, it would be not to ignore the unbelievable and awesome fan theories because many of them turned out to be even more interesting than what we saw. But it should and will always be at the discretion of the writers. After all, that’s what they went to school to do and have pursued as passionately as we are all pursuing our dreams.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Absentia” that makes it such a fan favorite series?

 

A) I think that’s a question best answered by the fans.

 

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

 

A) I love learning and getting better with every performance. My goal is to keep getting closer to the truth, my truth and our truth to become a better storyteller. I hope you enjoy the journey with me.