Richard Brancatisano – Chasing Life

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) How do you think the show has grown and that Dominic has transitioned throughout the seasons?

A) I think the fans are going to want to see the aftermath of poor Leo’s (Scott Michael Foster) death and I think the show does a really good job of dealing with it and how the characters deal with it – especially April (Italia Ricci). That’s really exciting. I think the show has really grown since the first season. I loved the first season, but I think with any show by Season Two it kind of finds its groove and really knows what it is. The same for the actors and the characters – we get a grip on who our characters are and I think we also have more fun with it because you become more fun with everyone on set and who you are working with. It comes across on the TV screen. I think the second season is very dynamic and interesting. It’s more relaxed and more drama. I think it’s more interesting, which is good.

Q) Obviously, this show is about cancer, health and things you aren’t in control of. How do you think with this transition from the mid season finale to the second half will be able to bridge those gaps?

A) I think even though people are very shocked that the show is representing real life and this happens a lot that you don’t know how cancer is going to effect someone. Cancer covers such a large range of effecting peoples’ lives. People can have cancer and they can get past it and others think they can get past it and then have a terrible surprise like this. It’s just always a big question mark and that’s what the show has always represented, how do you live your when you have a question mark hanging over it? I think the great thing about a show like this is that in a way everyone has a question mark and some people have a diagnosis that significantly changes. We never know if we’re going to live and how we might die. I think the show has done that. The theme of the show is about living every day to the fullest and really being grateful for the moment and the people around you who you love and love you. I think with Leo’s death you are going to see it change all the characters even more. The lack of a character is going to be extremely profound because he was such an important character in the show and so liked. It is really interesting where the show goes from now.

Q) Will we be seeing Dom becoming more of a sense of comfort for April?

A) I think he’s always wanted to give April the support that she needs. I think the problem in the past with Dom is that he let his ego and his pride get in the way of giving April what she needed. I think one of the things I like about Dom’s character is that he has changed and learned from that. He really cares for April and he wants to show her that he is a human being that can change and become a better person. This circumstance is now really heavy and I think it is difficult now for Dom because it was Leo. Leo was the guy who came between April and Dom in the first place. I don’t think it was the cancer that Dom shied away from. It was the fact that April made the choice not to rely on him and not to give Dom the chance to step up that hurt him. At that time, he didn’t get the context of it and now he does and he understands what she was going through since they never got a chance to talk about it because Leo came into the picture straight away. I think now their friendship has evolved they have spoken about it and brought up all the things they wanted to say right when it happened and they have a totally different relationship now. They are honest and really good friends. I think if something does happen romantically now it is based on a stronger foundation than it had before. I think what is really interesting about these last six episodes is how Dom kind of deals with the new territory of her husband dying, wanting to give love and comfort and also knowing he can’t overstep the mark. He needs to be very respectful of her situation and the fact that he was an ex-lover. It’s all pretty complex and it’s always fun to watch characters deal with those complex characters.

Q) We saw photos of cast’s reaction when they found out Leo would be dying. Talk about your personal reaction.

A) When I found out I was a little shocked. We all loved working with Scott. He’s a great dude and a fantastic actor so every scene I had with him I cherished. I always had a great time even though we were playing enemies. I think we always enjoyed working together even though we played enemies. So, to say goodbye to him was tough, but also it is a job and an industry. Seeing him go on to another great show, we’re all extremely happy. It’s always bittersweet and he’s such a talented actor. So, we just had to get on with the show. Also, the writers produced such a great ending to the midseason finale in a way that was so exciting. I only see the episodes when they air so I can’t wait to see how the new episodes come together because the scripts were fantastic.

Q) Can you talk about shooting in the finale location?

A) I’m not sure how much I can say about that. I was told that I have to keep that a secret. I think I’m going to leave that as a question mark.

Q) How will Dom and his relationship with the Carver spread out throughout other members of the family?

A) I think that April’s mom, Sara (Mary Page Keller), has always liked Dominic and seen him as a very solid guy. I think she understood what his shortcomings were and that he’s someone who took a look at himself and is willing to change and improve. I realize I have always had Sara’s support and that is important. I think, obviously, with Natalie (Jessica Meraz) that Dominic it is hard for her because she always feels like second choice. It’s one of those sad love triangles. It kind of reminds me of Les Mis with Eponine, Cosette and Marius. She really likes Dominic, but Dominic has always had his eye on April. That’s hard for her, but it is great forr her. Jess plays that really well. It gets pretty heavy, but Italia does a great job bringing it to life and brings a lot of realism to it.

Q) Was there anything you added to the role of Dominic that may not originally have been written for you?

A) There are a few things. One thing that they added was that they knew I was a musician and that I sing so they added that Dominic was a journalist in the music and entertainment industry. We’ve always seen a guitar or two in his apartment, but we’ve never seen him play. I think that they kind of combined the fact I played in the writers room with Dom and you see him playing the guitar quite a bit over the next few episodes. He gets up and plays at an event, which is really cool. I saw the edit of that last week and I’m really happy with it. I think it will be a really good episode and touching. It was nice to sing and play on the show.

Q) Is there anything else about the midseason finale that you want us to be sure we share with fans?

A) First off, there will be some Scott in Episode 8. I think if fans were upset and thought it was quite harsh that he died right at the end of the episode, then they should know the show does a great job of letting you deal with the death. The next episode is a really important one. I think the show just keeps getting better and better. I love how the whole thing finishes. It is quite episode and beautiful. I look forward to the next six episodes to see how the unfortunate circumstances of Leo’s death how it shakes things up. I think it’s exciting!