Pej Vahdat – Bones

By: Jamie Steinberg

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

A) I just wrapped on “Bones” for the beginning of a pretty epic storyline that is going to happen for me and Cam (Tamara Taylor). I think it is a well known storyline that Arastoo leaves for Iran because his brother is sick. Then, it goes from there. It causes a bit of problems with the relationship. Then, I’ve started work on a play at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. I’m going to do that for the next two months.

Q) Fans are pretty in love with Cam and Arastoo. You’ve teased a bit about what is to come for the couple. Is there anything else you could share?

A) It’s hard for me to say. I will say this, the last episode I did was pretty great. As far as what our relationship is going through, the depths and how strong our love for each other is it’s pretty great. It’s being tested again and it is going to continue to be tested. There are things with me leaving that are going to bring up some issues. Going into a country that I was exiled out of to help my brother is scary.

Q) When you first joined the cast, was there instant chemistry or did it take some time for them to take you into the fold?

A) You know what is so weird and it sounds cliché, but the minute I got this it was early on in my career and I hadn’t done much of significance. It was my first big role and they treated me immediately like I was part of the family. And it hasn’t stopped, it’s just gotten stronger. I think that is a testament to a show that has lasted this long. It’s like catching lightening in a bottle. You have these amazing actors who all somehow get along, love each other and they welcome you with open arms. It allows you to be free. It’s kind of like being the new kid in school. If there are bullies and people making fun of you, you aren’t going to be that comfortable and happy. If they are really friendly, you are going to be yourself and bring whatever light you have to the role. It was pretty awesome!

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

A) I would never pretend to take any writing credit, but maybe the writers seeing me and hanging out with me more may have noted that I’m pretty athletic and into sports. Maybe they have showed that he’s not just brains. But other than that, they come up with everything. They are pretty brilliant.

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from filming the current season of “Bones?”

A) I’d say filming the 200th episode was a blast to me. Michael Grant Terry and I are pretty good friends and we got to work together again. We’re in a scene together and we’re goofballs so we had a blast. With David [Boreanaz] directing, that was my first time experiencing that. I had heard from everybody how he is just awesome at it and he just exceeded that by like a million times because he is REALLY good at directing! Everyone was pretty nervous filming that episode, especially the first day for me. He could see that and he calmed me down. That was a really good experience for me.

Q) What did you think seeing the full 200th episode on television?

A) I thought it was so cool and so well shot. It was such a unique story. I love when they do that stuff. They did that for either the 100th episode or the Season 4 or 5 season finale where were all different characters in a dream sequence. I just love that stuff! Especially as an actor, you get to do something different. So, I really loved it. It was so cool and unique, especially these days on TV you don’t really get to see that.

Q) Is there a storyline you’d like to see for Arastoo if there is a “Bones” Season 11?

A) I played professional tennis so I would love to see a couple episodes with me playing tennis. That would be fun for Arastoo to show off his skills! I think there is plenty there. I would love that! Other than that, I love exploring things with Cam. I absolutely love our dynamic. I think it is a terrific thing these days especially with different cultures dating. I’d like that a lot!

Q) You touched on it a bit, but you’ve become so close with Eugene Byrd and Michael Grant Terry offscreen. How did this bromance develop?

A) It all started after the 9/11 episode. We were all working together every day after that episode and we just became fast friends after that. Eugene and I had become friends before that episode, but Michael and I hadn’t gotten that close. After that, it all changed. Joel David Moore and I became quite friendly. Actually, Joel and I were quite close before that. We started hanging out and we saw that we had so much in common. We liked being around each other on and off set. So, it just continued. Michael is one of my best friends now. Especially in this business, you need people who you can talk to, trust and confide in. We’re all in the same boat so we kind of have each other’s back. We can be there for each other without any animosity, jealousy or anything like that. So, it’s nice. It’s a really nice blessing out of the show.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with fans and do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive when episodes premiere?

A) I think it is part of the times. I think it is such a cool thing to see. You have this instant connection with the people who make this run. Without them, there is no show. It’s just a small thing that we can do to show our appreciation and see how much they love it (or not). “Bones” fans are so loyal. I personally love interacting with them. I love the position I’m in. This is what I asked for when I started acting. I don’t understand actors that don’t like it. It doesn’t make sense to me. So, personally, I love every second of it. I love talking to them. It’s crazy to me that me saying “hello” on Twitter makes someone’s day! It’s nuts for me because who am I? I’m just a nobody. So, if someone gets happy hearing me say “hi” or interacting with them then by all means I’ll do it all day! I love doing what I do and I can’t believe I get to do it. For me, it’s just a bonus that there are people giving you their appreciation for the show. It’s almost like doing theater. It’s the closest thing for a TV guy to be able to play and get immediate feedback. It’s immediate and it’s awesome! It kind of feeds my little theater jones when I am not on stage.

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

A) Thank  you so much! I hope they don’t realize it’s all a sham and I’m not that great. Sometimes in this business (and in life in general) you are not feeling great or things aren’t going your way and then someone on Twitter or someone on the streets says, “Hey! I love your work!” It really makes you happy and I really appreciate it. It will never get old! Sometimes you hear people saying, “I saw you in Starbucks and I didn’t say ‘Hi.'” Please say “Hi,” because it’s my pleasure. Keep watching! Season 10 is getting better and better. The script I just finished is amazing. How they can keep turning these out…Because it’s so strong, so good, so heartfelt and so well written. I hope I did it justice because it is super good and I am really nervous to see how it turned out. When you get a script like that you don’t want to mess it up. So, I hope you guys enjoy it. It’s coming up soon. And if you’re in San Francisco come see me in the play! It’s called Indian Ink and it’s at the ACT Theater in San Francisco. It’s a beautiful theater and it’s a really lovely play written by Tom Stoppard.