Blair Underwood, who has one of the smoothest voices ever to grace the small screen, is taking the reigns and ordering everyone around in The Event. The NBC show, which some are billing to be the next Lost, has Underwood playing commander-in-chief when the United States undergoes an event so catastrophic and widespread that it will change the course of history – the only problem is that no one knows what the event is.
And, by no one the actor revealed that even the cast isn’t quite sure about the details about The Event. The directors and producers specifically left the actors in the dark, only telling them what they need to know about their characters and instructing them not to tell each other in order to keep the suspense. We’ll never know if he’s lying – after all, the show promises that nothing is what it seems. Find out about The Event at Mondays at 10/9 central on NBC.
Michelle Castillo: So, what is the Event?
Blair Underwood: I wish I could tell you but I can’t. But I can tell you that it is coming. What is exciting and comforting is the writers have plotted it our for the next five years… That’s not always the case to have something so planned out. They plotted what the audience needs know about where they going.
MC: What drew you to this project?
BU: What really what hooked me was the story and the world it is set in. As you know, I like to say it’s 95 percent political thriller and 5 percent science fiction and paranormal. And ,then the fact that the role was the President of the United States: I’ve never played that role or that type of juicy role.
MC: You play the President of the United States. Did you look at any actor’s presidential portrayals in particular?
BU: I really mine whatever research I have from real life rather than actors. I actually saw a few clips from the Nixon/Frost interview It was soon after he was president and watching him being so candid about his office was interesting. Because this president is a youthful president and has a young marriage and very passionate one and a young son, I looked to Kennedy and Clinton and especially the (presidents) with young families, my perspective is when you have kids and young kids especially the dynamics change.
MC: It used to be big news if a black actor was playing the president. How has that changed since Obama was elected?
BU: It’s not a novelty really anymore. Long before 24, there was Deep Impact. A lot of press asked me, “Do you think there will ever be a black president?” It’s encouraging and nice that it’s not longer an issue. It becomes about the person and about policy and what they do in their presidency. I look forward whenever we can to get beyond race, but never forget it. My character is interesting because he is American born but born from Cuban refugees.
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MC: Do you know what’s going to happen next on the show?
BU: Some of the things, if I push it we can find out. From the pilot, from the very beginning, they decided not to tell us much about the story. The night before filming they sent dossiers about our characters and our background. They asked us not to share with everyone else, not even the other actors on the set.
We continued some of that as the series progressed. It has been an exercise in secrecy. I chose this time not to ask too many questions. I’m on a need to know basis like my character (laughs).
MC: So you’re still finding stuff out as the audience is?
BU: I remember doing two scenes with Laura (Innes, Sophia Maguire on The Event). She said, “I know this is going to happen because of this thing that happened in the past.” My reaction was, “I didn’t know (the event in the past) was happening!”
It is a huge mystery. It’s a great intrigue; it’s all about weaving the story. As long as I know that the producers and directors know what they’re doing, I’m fine. We’re shooting episode seven and every script is as good as the one before them.
MC: But you have to know a little about The Event! Tell us something.
BU: This show is driven by the concept and idea of identity. The marketing is amazing they highlight the world lie in believe. If you can ascertain who each person is then you can tell what’s going on.
MC: Cryptic. What has been the best scene to film so far?
BU: My favorite moment so far the scenes that are upcoming that are in the residential area of the White House with his son and his wife. You see a man. You see a husband and a father. Those really are the most interesting because you see what shapes him.
MC: Besides The Event, what else are you watching on TV? What would you like to guest star on?
BU: I like Dexter and The Apprentice. They are very different, but those are the two main ones. I don’t watch a lot reality TV, but I like Donald Trump as a character, and I like to see his perspective as a businessman.
I’d like to be on Mad Men. It would be nice to do a period piece – if I could do something other than a janitor that would be fun and cool. That would be it.
More on Techland:
The Event Week 2: Why Should I Care?
Q&A: The Event’s Jason Ritter