What happens to Desmond at the end of the show when he hugs his mother, Tula, and then arrests her?
It’s that thing from childhood. It doesn’t matter how much you say you hate someone, because it’s usually because you love them. I’m sure he’s been planning for this moment for almost 40 years, and what he’ll do when he meets his mother. Then suddenly he meets her and everything is not as he thought it would be. That little boy who just wants love, then the hate comes back and he’s confused and terrified. I look forward to seeing what actually happens. More than anything else, he’s confused.
I played a character that doesn’t exist in the books. Did this shape what you thought you should learn about tradition?
I learned about privilege in some way. The world that was created and the audience that was heavily invested in it. It’s remarkable that a book that began in 1965 can be so relevant now and have such an amazing, dedicated, sophisticated, entertaining fan base that is so passionate about these things. But I don’t know much about the franchise at all other than what I’ve learned here.
But I’m an actor, so all I care about is the other actor, who I’m acting with, and what my character wants, and to make someone feel abandoned, or if there’s someone in their life that I want love from.
To that end, do you think it’s a show about sci-fi, or is it really a show about families — brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers?
There is (sci-fi), but it’s not something I should invest in or worry about. This is up to the creators. I just focus on all human relationships. Like all good things, like any genre or period, Everything I Love is about the relationships between the characters, what they are striving for, and what they are fighting for.
I’m not connected to the world of science fiction, I didn’t grow up in it, and I don’t own a spaceship. But I relate to trying to make someone proud or having issues with parents or speaking up for people or wanting to hurt people.
Well in this spirit –
In the spirit of hurting people?
somewhat! Desmond fits the type of character I’ve played in the past, such as Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings: Capacity for violence, complex family. In more general terms, you often play these mysterious, powerful and scary men coming from the wilderness. How is Desmond different from other roles you’ve played?
A lot of the fighters are very similar. Ragnar was a fighter, fighting for what he believed in. And I love that in anyone. I love that in Erin Brockovich. I don’t like people in real life who play the victim.
What about the strange world? Sand dunes Make the biggest impression on you?
I think the worm must be the thing. Worms are for fishing where I come from, but they’re a big part of the world. I know how passionate people get about it, and obviously that plays a big role in my personality. I love that people are so excited about the worm!
