We lately had the possibility to talk with actor J. August Richards about his new function on Council of Dads. He performs Dr. Oliver Submit, one of many three males entrusted with the duty of caring for Scott Perry’s household after his dying.
Oliver is Scott’s spouse, Robin’s, finest buddy and he’s greater than prepared to step in to assist the household address their loss.
You may acknowledge him from his function of Charles Gunn on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off Angel, or from his appearances on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Michael Peterson/Deathlok.
What drew you to the function of Oliver on Council of Dads? What was the casting course of like for you?
The day I auditioned for Council of Dads was the day I virtually give up performing. I in all probability would not have gone by way of with it, however as I mounted the steps on the Common lot, I used to be struck with panic — the sort of debilitating panic meaning just one factor: you are going to blow it!
As I entered the constructing, I started plotting my escape: “I will promote my home and train. I like educating, and my mom was a trainer, so I will do this!” As a result of after 25 years, you’ll assume it’d get simpler, and I simply could not think about doing this to myself any longer.
I obtained as much as the ready room, and luckily, there have been a couple of folks in entrance of me, so I started speaking myself down. “Okay. This script is about one factor — LOVE. And all it’s important to do is love the individual you are studying with. And should you can simply do this, it will not matter what comes out of your mouth, they are going to really feel it.”
The casting director, Veronica Ronney, got here to get me. She has a candy, sort vitality that’s infectious. I considered how a lot the folks in her life should love her. I targeted on that.
What’s been the most important problem you have confronted taking part in Oliver up to now?
The most important problem in taking part in Oliver was overcoming a private wall I had up between my skilled life and my private life.
Up till now, I did not share the truth that I’m homosexual with the folks I work with. I had totally internalized an unwritten rule that if producers and casting administrators know that you just’re homosexual in actual life, it is going to have an effect on the roles wherein they are going to forged you.
That will nonetheless be true to a sure extent, however I knew that I would not have the ability to give the efficiency I wished to provide if I had a wall up with my co-stars, and I would not have the ability to contribute to the characterization in an genuine approach if I did not let the writers the producers know that I perceive this character from a spot of expertise.
How do you’re feeling about all the emotional reactions Council of Dads has been getting? Individuals are actually resonating with the present. Are you shocked by how rapidly the viewers has gotten invested in these characters?
By no means as a result of on the first desk learn, there wasn’t a dry eye in the home. I nonetheless surprise how the creators, Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, had been in a position to get the viewers to care a lot in such a brief period of time.
Who’s your favourite actor to work with on the present? The dynamic between Oliver and Robin has been particularly nice to observe.
I am unable to say that I’ve a favourite, however Sarah Wayne Callies and I’ve one thing very particular. We’re kindred spirits in the way in which that we strategy the work and the way in which that we strategy life. I totally belief her, and we all know one another on a deep degree, so I believe that exhibits.
Council of Dads has been praised for exhibiting the connection between Oliver and his husband, Peter, and their daughter, Tess. It is uncommon to see two males of coloration married on tv, and even rarer to see them elevating a daughter collectively.
Followers have expressed gratitude for seeing themselves lastly represented on display. How does it really feel to be aside of a relationship meaning a lot to folks?
That was a serious a part of why I made the selection to come back out publicly. I noticed a chance to be of service in a approach that you do not by on daily basis. I wished to have the ability to communicate concerning the significance of this illustration with out feeling like I used to be hiding.
For me rising up, it will have made an enormous distinction seeing black homosexual males portrayed as totally realized human beings with the sort of full lives all of us aspire to.
Rising up, homosexual males and particularly black homosexual males had been all the time portrayed as one thing to be ridiculed and made enjoyable of. And that was at finest! I noticed a chance to assist change the narrative in some small approach.
We noticed in episode three that Oliver is struggling to separate his time between the Perrys and his family. Being tasked with serving to out his finest buddy’s household is a giant enterprise.
Going ahead, can we anticipate Oliver to face problem balancing his time between the 2? Do you assume Oliver remains to be pushed by guilt to assist out the Perrys, even when he is aware of he did all the things he might for Scott?
Oliver’s aim in life is to be an amazing father. It is alluded to that he and his father did not have the perfect relationship as a result of he did not really feel accepted. Oliver is pushed by making a secure surroundings the place the children can flourish and thrive as their genuine selves.
He is let go of the guilt and simply needs to be an amazing father to his daughter and an amazing father determine to Robin’s children. He additionally needs to nudge his finest buddy, Robin, towards the sunshine and transfer her past grief. I like that about him!
If Council of Dads will get renewed for an additional season (fingers crossed!), are there any storylines you’d prefer to discover along with your character that you just did not get to this season?
Effectively, one thing actually massive occurs on the finish of the season that can change his life perpetually… So, I wish to see how he handles that!
Council of Dads airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC. You possibly can compensate for earlier episodes and watch Council of Dads online right here at TV Fanatic anytime.
Jillian Pugliese is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Observe her on Twitter.