Paul Schulze – Suits

By: Lisa Steinberg

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

A) I’ve been on “Suits” as of late. As I always say, “Yes, I’m working on something. I just don’t know what it is yet.”

Q) We have seen quite the power struggle between Frank and Mike. What can you tease about their forthcoming dynamic? Will they put things aside and maybe team up?

A) We don’t see them teaming up too much. I think the power struggle will kind of remain as far as my proximity affords Frank. Time goes back and Mike (Patrick J. Adams) is very wily and formidable so that can change. I don’t think I would go as far as saying we’d team up against any part of the world.

Q) What lengths will Frank go to in order to keep his identity as an informant a secret?

A) I think it is safe to say that Frank is willing to go to any lengths as far as what means are available to him. He’s willing to cajole, he is willing to intimidate, he’s willing to threaten and make good on his threats. That’s about as far as he goes with him. It’s what is at his disposal. So, it’s a very masculine world there. You don’t get too many things with honey in that environment or at least you don’t try honey right away. And he doesn’t! I would think it is fair to say that Frank is formidable as far as wanting freedom. He is in there for a while and he has done his best to acclimate to the situation by exercising as much power as he can in the confines of Danbury. I think he’d go to any means necessary.

Q) Will we be learning more about his background to getting into prison? He’s been the one to teach Mike a lot of lessons very quickly.

A) Maybe a little bit. Clearly the story is more about Mike and Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and their backstory as it might pertain to Frank. We find out a little bit more about him and we certainly are forced to deal with him more. He’s not going away and with “Suits” when you are absolutely sure of something they like to pull the rug out from under you. They are pretty good at that and it makes for a fun ride.

Q) How was Frank originally described to you and then morph into who we see today?

A) He was pretty much this way. Aaron Korsh, the creator of the show, is adept at suggesting some layers to a particular character (in my case Frank) and Harvey, for example. We toyed with that during the process before we started to shoot as whether I am just one dimensionally angry and simply looking for revenge or am I perhaps a little leery of Harvey as well. I’m angry at him because he won, but he won the last time. It’s sort of when you get knocked out by a fighter – part of you looks forward to getting revenge, but you never forget that you got knocked down. That kind of stuff might not be seen as readily on the screen, but we toyed with it.

Q) There have been some incredible scenes where Frank and Mike test each other’s limits. Talk about working with Patrick J. Adams in these strong scenes.

A) Well, Patrick is obviously the person I worked with most on the show. He’s a great host, if you will, as well as a really lovely actor. We have a lot of fun. It’s always interesting to play a tough guy. I find myself often being fairly diminutive compared to some of the guys I’m supposed to torment. I get a kick out of it. Thank goodness it is make believe because I’m not sure I’d be able to intimidate him quite as readily in real life. Although I do have a horrific temper. [laughs] Just kidding! The very first movie I was in (where I had a sizeable role) was a movie called Laws of Gravity and I had to intimidate and almost get into a fight with a character played by Saul Stein who is almost twice my size. He is a very big man! It was just hysterical. Sometimes you would be in the theater and hear someone scream “Watch out for him! He’ll hurt you!” They were talking to Saul’s character, believing I was very, very tough. So, Patrick is a good twenty years my junior. We took a leap of faith and went for it.

Q) You also verbally go toe to toe with each other quite well.

A) We did it a few times. That’s for sure!

Q) The women of “Suits’ are also such powerhouses, but we don’t get to see you work with any of them.

A) I enjoyed watching them, too. I agree! I think it is a nice testament to the show that they not only have hired people that easy on the eye, they have written stories that the people that are easy to look at also rise to occasions to show their acting and their backbone as well. It’s always nice to see that in women, for sure. I’ve seen some shirts around town that say “The future is female.” I like the slogan and I tend to agree. We have always had a history of mankind being chock full of strong women and now I’m looking forward to them leading us a little bit more.

Q) What were some of your most challenging scenes to film?

A) There is a scene that is coming up. I can’t really talk about it, but it is definitely a wrinkle in the character and the genesis of Mike’s character on the show. I guess it was a different setting and a different feel than we’re used to. I guess that might have been the most challenging. I know that is cryptic, but that’s as much as I can say.

Q) You often play a lot of fearless, but flawed characters. How do you infuse underlying emotion and relatability to these guys who seem so strong and put together, but also have their breaking points?

A) I think that is a good point. I’ve played all kinds of characters, including a well-intentioned priest on “The Sopranos” for years and he too was flawed. He allowed himself an emotional dalliance with Carmela (Edie Falco). Then, sometimes I play characters where you’d have to be blind not to see their flaws where their flaw is the first characters the audience is introduced to. Even Eddie on “Nurse Jackie,” we saw some of his warts and calluses. It is part of life. In this business, you play certain people and you get kind of known for playing them (at least with the casting directors and producers). So, you end up kind of playing similar roles often. I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve played lots of different types, but that would probably be the one throughline – the flaws. You don’t get to spend much time with me before I share some of my flaws. I think it is the part of life that I’m in touch with and I’m curious about other people and theirs as well. I don’t see them as shortcomings. I see them as natural and part of being human. Certainly as an actor, it’s something that I am curious about in all characters. Despite whatever mess they make, they always love themselves. That’s what they do. In fact, they are even lovable to some extent. Eddie had his temper, but it was his undying willingness. The thing about him wasn’t so much “don’t cross him.” “Nurse Jackie” was a wonderful series as far as talking about the flaws that are in us. Everyone’s flaws were discovered. If it wasn’t blatant from the beginning, they were discovered – whether they were a secret, lies, affliction or addiction. We were all unraveled on that show. Every character, except the character Zoey (Merritt Wever) who was more the face of innocent. Then, at least we get to see her arc by the time seven years was done. She was the matron on the floor and the real vet – the savvy one. I don’t know if I could find flaws in Merritt’s character, but certainly everyone else’s. And Eddie’s biggest problem isn’t his temper. His biggest problem is that he is addicted to Jackie’s drama. He’s in love. He’s in love with her and he’s in love with her some might say despite her addiction and some may argue because of her addiction. He’s willing to do anything for her, but it wasn’t healthy love. It was so much fun being with that group and playing that role, especially with those fine people over the years. It was a great privilege.

Q) What have you taken away from your time working on “Suits?”

A) I was happy. I didn’t really know the show before I was on it. When I knew I was going to be on it, I started to acquaint myself with it. What I take away is the memory of working with very accomplished actors and very nice family. Everyone there was very generous with their spirit and their humor. They know they have got a good thing and it is important that if you have a good thing it is just important to know you have it. If you don’t, even if it is good you don’t know it. But they do and so they are having fun up there. I was glad to have fun with them.