By: Kelly Kearney
Photo Courtesy of Lifetime
Q) Congrats on your Lifetime movie drama Secrets of Mercy Hospital airing on October 24th. What was it about Janet Tamaro’s script that drew you to the role of Dr. Vaughan Maddox?
A) Thank you! Janet’s script was so good. Within a few pages of my first read, I was invested and very curious about where it would go. I’ve been blessed to read many scripts in my career and you can usually tell within the first twenty pages whether you truly want to know more about these characters and where the story will lead. I’m sure the audience will be compelled to not take their eyes off the screen within the first ten minutes of the movie, as there’s an urgent turn in the story that is incredibly suspenseful and moving. This turn, cautiously, not without the active focus of the audience, informs them of the greater story and its direction.
Q) From their first meeting in the ER, it’s clear Vaughan and former flame and decorated nurse Kendra, played by Judy Reyes, share a complicated history filled with secrets and unforgettable feelings. What was it like working with Judy, especially with her also serving as executive producer, to build that shared past and bring it into their present-day dynamic?
A) Yes, I think it’s clear that there’s signifiant history between them, and obvious they have’t seen each other for many years. Judy, from my first meeting with her to discuss the script, exuded kindness, charm, and wit. The fact that she wanted to meet and discuss our characters and story is telling of her training and the type of actor she is. I love nothing more than the opportunity to meet who I’ll be working with beforehand and sharing some of your choices, and ideas you have for what is not on the page. This almost always benefits the performance and ultimately the audience, as the actors are taking the time to give more life, more history to the characters and the already great script at hand. You never quite know the chemistry you’ll have with another actor, but we got on fast, and between good laughs in between takes, we also got deep on important political and social issues with which we are both passionate about. Judy, is an exceptional veteran and and craftsman. Her years in the business, make her the right choice for this strong story to not only star in, but to executive produce. It must also be said after our time discussing family, that Judy is clearly an amazing mother, wife, and contributing member of her many communities.
Q) Vaughan’s history with Kendra gets even more complicated when we learn he married Billie (Suleka Mathew), Kendra’s former best friend and track teammate. Billie and Vaughan might be on the outs, but that doesn’t chill that simmering tension between the three–there’s a lot of emotional baggage for viewers to sink their teeth into. What did you find most interesting about navigating those relationships?
A) I think navigating that tension, those relationships between the three characters, is some of the very stuff that actors love to do. We can all as adults relate to this situation in some way. It’s not comfortable. Things are unsaid, unknown, and as the three of them are brought together again, in a trying, demanding workplace of an understaffed hospital, it makes for an edge of your seat compelling story. Also, most importantly, and I say this with humility, but having three veteran actors tackle this loaded and emotional kettle pot, is exactly what is required to bring the uncomfortable tension of open wounds, inevitably leading to fire and hard truth. Suleka, who played Billy, and Judy and I were blessed to have her talents in telling this story.
Q) The film’s director, Greg Beeman, has worked on some great television dramas. Did he give you room to bring your own ideas to Vaughan, or did you find yourself sticking closely to the script?
A) This is the second film I’ve done with Greg Beeman, and I love him. We work very well together. We did The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story, with Terri Hatcher, a few years back, and we had a great collaboration on that. I knew on the first day that Greg spoke my language and could communicate exactly what he needed and when. A comforting thing when working with a new director, is when you know you’ve made strong choices and subsequent takes, they acknowledge that, and only offer small suggestions unless it can benefit the scene. Greg has so many years in the business, he’s such an experienced veteran, that he knows when to trust his actors and when to direct. I absolutely love when a director will offer the slightest adjustment, which you know is good, and it happens quickly and with few words. Greg and I have that communication and I so look forward to working with him again.
Q)The neonatal unit brings its own high stakes, even without all the personal drama. Were there any scenes or moments during filming that particularly challenged you? Perhaps that tense surgical scene with the baby?
A) The tense surgical scene with the twins and their mother, would be the most suspenseful medical part of this story, for me. My grandfather was a doctor and I have such reverence and respect for our health care workers. They are all altruistic, brave and giving individuals, often dealing with the incredible responsibility of fighting for life and death of their patients. It’s a huge duty, and in my research on what it means to be an Obstetrician AND Neonatal specialist, some sixteen to twenty years of training required, my charge to portray Vaughn, this exceptional man, not without his flaws and pain, was not lost on me.
Q) Hospital dramas have always had a devoted audience, and now Lifetime is putting its own spin on the genre. What do you think sets Secrets of Mercy Hospital apart, and what will draw viewers in?
A) I love that Lifetime is committing to this genre, as they’ve got such a loyal and intelligent audience, who I can imagine will only appreciate exploring these new waters. I think there’s many factors that will draw viewers in, but specifically with our story, we have all the elements and characters, set in the non stop, often frenetic place of an understaffed hospital focussing on the health and welfare of mothers and new born babies. As I understand, many of the loyal Lifetime audience are women, all mothers and sisters or daughters. They can all relate to the characters in our story, being forced to work together again, having a loaded and unresolved history together, whilst still having to do the exceptional responsibilities required in a hospital where everyday they have to try and put their patients first, and their own issues second.
Q) You’re also working with Mike Flanagan on his new miniseries “Carrie” that has everyone talking right now. You play Ralph White, a paranoid and complicated father whose actions help shape who Carrie becomes. You worked alongside Summer H. Howell as Carrie and the always-terrifying Samantha Sloyan as her formidable mother, Margaret. What was it like collaborating with them to bring this complicated dynamic to life?
A) I’m so very happy, but not surprised in the least, at the critical success of Mike Flanagan’s “Carrie.” When I read the scripts, they were so good, so relevant and important at this contentious and dangerous time, specifically with the dangers of bullying and social media with our youth, I was sure it would click. Summer was exceptional. As was Samantha. The chemistry between the two of them, the years of trauma, control, fear and conflicted love, was always there in every second they were on screen together. I love actors. I love watching moving and powerful work. Mike is so f-ing good, his casting is always on point and there’s clearly a reason you see him work with actors time and time again. Samantha being a perfect example of a long time member of his company. Also, my dear brother, Michael Trucco, has done at least four projects with Mike Flanagan, and knocked it out of the park, everytime. I will go so far as to state that I don’t think there’s ever been better casting of Carrie, than Summer Howell, that is with all respect to the powerful performances of the previous incarnations. I just smile when I think of the work she did. Ironically, I think this story now, at this time, is the most fitting and important period for it to be tackled. I have to give a shout out to Katee Sackhoff, my “Battlestar Galactica” sister, who had an amazing scene with Samantha, and of course, Tricia [Helfer], Rekha [Sharma] and Aaron Douglas, more of my BSG family that Mike also chose to cameo in “Carrie.”
Q) You’re having quite the witchy fall! You’re also starring in the short form series “Coven Academy” for Disney+ which follows teenage witches and warlocks at a magical boarding school. What appealed to you about that project?
A) Ha! These two projects are perfect for the fall season, aren’t they. I’m very happy to hear of the success of “Coven Academy.” This project, when it was presented to me by the show runners, had many elements that piqued my actors curiosity. I’d for one, never played a Warlock in series fashion.. correction, I’d done it once years ago on comedic project called, Riftworld, but the characters and tone are very different. I believe it’s a four or five episode arc, and without giving too much away, I get to share a certain character with the talented veteran, Devon Sawa, of whom I’ve always been a fan, but had never met until this project. William is a complicated, yet powerful and driven warlock, committed to a better world, as he sees it. His perspective is unfortunately skewed and dangerous, and Jake, played by the young star actor Malachi Baron, is the one torn between the convincing William, and his other friends and mentors at Coven Academy. The challenge of playing the character of William, tenacious in his ambitions, but not without love and well meaning for Jake, made this an easy project for me to want to work on. I got on well with Devon and loved the tension filled scenes with the veteran actor and wonderful person that is Tiffani Thiesson. Malachi and I also had some powerful scenes together, and he brought it every time. It was great to work with him and the rest of the cast, especially Malina Weissman.
Q) What’s next for you, Tahmoh? Are there any other upcoming projects fans should keep an eye out for?
A) I’ve got a few things coming up, I’m really looking forward to. I’m not sure though, that I’ve been officially attached yet, so I’ll unfortunately have to be a little vague about a few of them. I played a role in an incredibly well written new hockey series that will be coming out on Netflix. A character I’ve never come close to playing before, but one close to me in my own life. I also played a role in an episode of a huge, upcoming project about a certain boxing icon. AND, I had a wonderful experience working on an independent film, shot last summer in my home territory of the Yukon. It’s one of the first features shot in the Yukon, by an all Yukon crew, writers, producers, and most of the cast. From Me to You, is the title, and it’s a wonderful screenplay, akin to Steve Martin’s, Roxanne. I’m sincerely looking forward to the finished cut, and it being seen by audiences.
Q) What would you like to say to the fans who have followed you and your work over the years?
A) I cannot thank you enough for your loyalty, all these years in the business, Truly, without you guys, I wouldn’t be able to pursue this passion that I love so much. You’ve given me a tremendous gift and it’s not lost on me. Thank you.