Read our exclusive interview with actor Paul Blackthorne, who can next be seen as producer Clark in the upcoming anticipated ABC horror-thriller series ‘The River.’ The show, which premieres on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 9pm ET/PT, was co-created and directed by ‘Paranormal Activity’s writer-helmer Oren Peli. ‘The River’ follows Dr. Emmet Cole (played by Bruce Greenwood), a famed wildlife explorer and TV personality who ventures into the Amazon and never returns. When Emmet’s emergency beacon goes off six months after his disappearance, his wife, Tess (portrayed by Leslie Hope), and his son, Lincoln (played by Joe Anderson), go searching for him.
Tess and Lincoln agree to allow Clark to film the mission for a documentary, in exchange for funding the rescue. The three venture into the Amazon to discover what truly happened to Emmet. Blackthorne discusses with us, among other things, what attracted him to the role of Clark, and he finds appealing about the horror-thriller genre.
ShockYa (SY): In ‘The River,’ you portray Clark, the ex-producer of Dr. Emmet Cole. What attracted you to the role of Clark, and convinced you to appear on the show?
Paul Blackthorne (PB): Well, what attracted me to Clark was the slightly ambiguous nature of his character. Some people might think he’s a self-serving person. But I believe he himself believes he’s doing good things. I was attracted to the fact of, and what appealed to me was, the ambiguous nature of his character, whether he’s good or bad. I guess that makes it a little bit more interesting-is he the good guy or bad guy? I like the ambiguity. So that’s what I liked about the character.
In regards to ‘The River,’ I think the originality of the show was what really appealed to me. It’s as though you’re watching a reality TV show, in the realistic fashion in which it’s portrayed. Also, the paranormal factor, where you’ve got very ordinary people who are about to experience very extraordinary events. In the scope of the paranormal context, I thought it was interesting that you never knew what was going to happen in the next story and the next script.
SY: What was the preparation process like for your role of Clark before you began shooting the series?
PB: Well, I would never bore you with the whole acting process, because that’s terribly boring to hear. But there were certain people in the reality show world that I looked at. I looked at their careers to see what they’ve been up to. But regardless what the man does for a living, he’s a human being. He’s got his needs, he’s got his desires.
I tried to create a character with a background and backstory. I try to think more about his character than what he does for a living.
SY: Oren Peli, the writer and director of ‘Paranormal Activity,’ is one of the co-creators of ‘The River.’ What has it been like working with him?
PB: He’s great. He’s very laid back and insightful. He knows what he’s doing. When you’re in that kind of company, you feel privileged.
SY: Besides ‘The River,’ you’re also known for appearing on such horror-thriller television series as ‘The Dresden Files’ and ‘The Gates.’ What is it about the genre that you find so appealing, and convinces you to keep returning to it?
PB: Like I was saying before, with the paranormal and sci-fi and fantasy, the story-lines can be stretched around a bit. It’s an unpredictable nature. They’re the classical psychological thriller. You can really create who you want in that world.
That’s the thing with ‘The River.’ There’s some classical, mythological stuff floating around. But they really created a whole new world of paranormal weirdness I’ve never experienced before. Again, that’s what I found interesting.
SY: Besides appearing on television and in films, you also have an extensive theatre background in both London and New York. What is it about theatre that you enjoy, and do you have any plans to return to the stage?
PB: I have not done theatre in a long time. I’ve very much been on television and in films. To be honest, I prefer, and feel more at home with, cameras around me than on stage. I did it as a child and through some of my 20’s. But I feel a lot more comfortable surrounded by cameras and a film camera and just the general way that works, as opposed to building up to a big moment of now you’re on stage.
I much prefer the world of cameras and the camaraderie of the crew as well. You’re all constantly working on something together, from one take to the next. It’s a big team effort constantly going on. It’s like that in theatre, but once you’re on the stage, you’re on the stage. I like the camaraderie of the film and TV sets.
SY: So would you prefer to sticking to films and television over theatre?
PB: Well, to me, it just comes down to a good script. If there’s a good script, a good story or good character, it’s irrelevant to me, really, if it’s film or television or what country it’s from. I did a film in India (‘Laggan: Once Upon a Time in India’) 10 years ago, and I was thinking to myself, why would I do a film in India? It’s a bit strange. But it was a fantastic script and character, and the film went on to be a great success.
It wasn’t really about where the film was from, or whether it was television, film or theater. Whatever’s good and has a good, strong story. Whatever appeals to me, it doesn’t really matter if it’s film, television or theater.
SY: You’re also directing, producing and writing the documentary ‘American Crossroads,’ in which you drive from New York to California just days after the 2008 presidential election, trying to find the promise of change. What was your motivation in filming the movie?
PB: I’ve spent a lot of time photographing people around the world. I find it interesting to document life in that fashion. Obviously, things have changed in America in the past few years. I had to get from New York to L.A. at one point, and I thought it would be interesting to document people on that journey, to capture where America’s at.
Then I thought it would be interesting to speak to people, and see how every-day Americans feel about the state of America right now, it’s future and where it’s going. Also, to see if people are still happy living in America, given the American life-style.
So I decided to drive across America and interview people, with a friend of mine. So we’ve been working on that, just putting the finishing touches on it now.
SY: Besides acting and directing, you’re also known for your philanthropic efforts, including holding photographic exhibitions in London to raise money for Greenpeace. Why do you feel it’s important for yourself and other people in the public eye to participate in philanthropic efforts?
PB: I just think there are times when you respond to certain issues or plights. Sometimes you find yourself being drawn to raise awareness or money, or whatever else it might be, for a certain cause or issue. You can’t really force that, sometimes you just really touched by something, and you respond in a way that one can. People are affected by different things. I think it’s whatever happens to us that touches us.
Written by: Karen Benardello
