In a brand new interview, David Tennant has spoken exclusively to James Hibbert of Entertainment Weekly on why he made the decision to become involved in Gracepoint. The Fox TV limited series is a reworking of the much celebrated ITV hit Broadchurch in which he also starred; his role as Detective Emmett Carver is the equivalent of DI Alec Hardy in the original.
While an actor reprising a role in a trans-Atlantic TV remake is not unknown, it is rare. David explains why he took the step, what filming has been like for him so far and how it compares with his experience on Broadchurch.
EW: You’ve played this
character in this story once. Why do it again?
David Tennant: The fact I knew how
good it was. I knew what an exciting story it was and a lot of the same people
are involved so I knew it wasn’t going to be turned into something … less good.
EW: For your performance,
it’s a very rare opportunity to have a total do-over. Are there things about
the way you played the character the first time that you look at and go, “Okay,
I’m going to do it this way instead.”
Tennant: I’m sure there will be a
bit of that going on. I’m not going to encourage people to compare to original
performance. But since I’m playing scenes in a different location with
different people it’s going to be different; you just have to be open to where
that goes. There is no precedent for this. It’s so familiar, yet
completely new. It’s a very peculiar experience.
EW: Your character’s name
has changed, but your stubble is back. Were there discussions about your look
for the Fox version?
Tennant: I think there’s something about the character that has a certain
unattended quality to him. His personal vanity is low on his list of
priorities. So I think there’s something about being slightly unkempt that
tells a story about that character that’s quite useful. So it’s a similar look.
I also think there was also a notion that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix
it. I don’t think we’re trying to change anything about him that worked
the first time.
EW: This time your
partner is played by Anna Gunn. What’s unique about working with her?
Tennant: It’s been lovely. We’ve
only done two days on set so we’re still at the beginning of our working relationship.
But she’s very sparky and a fine actress and fun so far, which is a relief.
We’re spending quite a bit of time together over the next few weeks. She can
take work very seriously but can also have a laugh which I think is important
when working on something so intense. There’s not a lot of humour because it’s
a pretty awful situation [in the story].
EW: What was toughest
part about doing an American accent?
Tennant: I don’t know. I’ve done accents over the years. You just kind of
hack away at it until it sets in your mind. We grew up surrounded by American
culture. It’s something we’re very familiar with. It’s not for me to say
whether I’ve cracked it or not.
EW: The show’s title and
the ending have changed for the Fox version. How do you feel about that?
Tennant: In terms of the ending, I’m just as in the dark as everybody else.
I’m following the rumours in the press. Which is the same as the experience as
filming Broadchurch. I’m told
there will be a change, whether that’s a fundamental change or a tweak I have
no idea. Certainly the pilot episode sticks very closely to the original, as
the story goes on it eases out a bit, there’s extra twists and turns, some
characters are more developed. I think the story will go in directions that
fans wouldn’t necessarily recognize.
EW: Gracepoint is billed as a limited series. But would you be
open to doing a second season?
Tennant: I’m still waiting to find out whether he comes back [in the second
season of the UK's Broadchurch].
I suppose that might impact Gracepoint.
I’m in the dark on that. I’d be thrilled to be involved, but it’s in the hands
of others.
EW: What else has struck
you as different about this version?
Tennant: I wouldn’t want to compare. But it’s been a fantastic first couple
of weeks.
Keep up with all the latest Gracepoint news on our website
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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