Dark Executioner poster
As a writer, producer, director, and actor, no one in the American television industry has been more influential than Curt Sartre over the past decade. He began his career in 2002 as a screenwriter for Fx's original crime series Shield, eventually becoming an executive producer and playing an important villain role in it, the Assassin Margos dezerian of the Armenian crime gang. After seven seasons of Shield, Sartre created the hit series Children of Chaos for FX in 2008, where he was the lead figure, serving as chief writer, executive producer, and actor, playing club member Otto Delaney. The full seven seasons of Children of Chaos ended last year, allowing Sartre to turn his attention to the big screen and create the boxing epic Iron Fist, starring Jack Gyllenhaal. Now, Curt Sartre is back on the network with his latest series, The Dark Executioner, which premiered in the United States on Sept. 15.
The series is set in the early 14th century, with the protagonist Wilkin Brattle (played by newcomer Lee Jones), who was once a knight of Edward I, and after a bitter defeat, he laid down his weapon and forgot his loyalty to England. In the Welsh countryside, he found a haven from the wind and a home for love. Brattle lived a quiet life until his former comrades slaughtered his family and friends. After killing the assailant Baron (Brian F. O'Bonn) to avenge his loved ones, he learns that milus corbett (Steven Moyer) orchestrated the destruction of the village. Since the English were already convinced that he was dead, Brattle disguised himself as an executioner in order to infiltrate their kingdom and wait for an opportunity to take revenge on Corbett. In short, Dark Executioner is Braveheart's version of Game of Thrones, and clearly has the style of Curt Sutter, the father of Children of Chaos.
Recently, Time.com, together with other media in the United States, interviewed the currently unknown actor Lee Jones, listening to the rising star's story of the experience of playing the protagonist Wilkin Brattle in Fx's new drama "Dark Executioner". Jones introduces his new play, talking about what it feels like to be the protagonist, the collaboration with Kurt Sartre, the "comparison" with Game of Thrones, the effort he put into the characters, the beliefs of the characters in the play, and whether the audience was receptive to the 14th-century setting.
Lee brother usually looks like a warm man
Mtime: Starring in Dark Executioner marked your first time as a male lead in a TV series, what does that experience mean to you?
<b>Lee Jones:</b> One of the best parts of the job was honing my new skills. I've always been eager to make more movies and TV series, and this TV series has taught me a lot, getting into roles, eliminating instincts, and adapting to high-tempo productivity. I felt like I had another muscle and everything was satisfying.
Mtime: What was the biggest challenge for you to star in the show?
<b>LEE JONES:</b> I guess it should be speed. The speed of shooting must keep up with the progress of the television screening. However, this in itself is not bad, because then you don't have time to think too much. To a certain extent, we must trust our instincts and maintain a good work schedule that can help you adapt to your role.
Mtime: Inevitably, your new show will be compared to Game of Thrones because of their similar settings, what do you want to say about those comparisons?
<b>Lee Jones:</b> I think our new show is very different from that. It is based on historical facts and has no fantasy at all. Based on real historical facts, Kurt deliberately constructed this virtual story. It's a savage, real, evil world, not a fantasy world.
Mtime: What particularly appealed to you when you were shooting a TV series set in the 14th century? Do you think modern audiences can accept this setting?
<b>Lee Jones:</b> I think what really catches people's attention is the things that are relevant to us all. Maybe, sometimes, want to be away from the darkness, or, <b>I think, the most crucial thing is to fight for survival and constantly improve everything in life. I think that's what makes this show appeal. For me, life is very delicate, and drama comes from life. </b>It was interesting to be able to photograph works from that era, to explore "What was the value of life in that era?" ”。 As an actor, performing violent and bloody scenes and interpreting a world completely different from today, it was all satisfying.
In the play, he wants Qiao Zhuang to become an executioner
Mtime: When you first read the script, what aspects of the character attracted you and made you want to play it? What homework did you do to get the role?
<b>Lee Jones:</b> You see, as an actor, selfishly, this character really goes through everything in the world. I'm going to show all the human emotions in him, and that's a really great character. Then, I just heard about it, I hadn't read the script yet, but when I heard about it, I thought, "Yeah! This character is tailor-made for me! "I don't know why. Something dark fascinates me. As an actor, I love to explore heavy subject matter, and I really am. Everything in the play appealed to me, but when it came to homework, I just tried to paint in my mind the social structure of that era, and the inner world of the executioner, although Wilkin was just disguised as an executioner to disguise his identity. So he's studying executioners as much as I'm going to study executioners. What matters is the emotional change of the protagonist, not the daily life of the executioner. But beyond that, all I have to do is "nibble through" the script.
Mtime: The creative team has revealed that religion will play an important role in the show. How do you think religion affected his life for your character and throughout his experiences in the play?
<b>LEE JONES:</b> That's a bigger foreshadowing that Cotter has done. I can't say too much or it would be too much of a spoiler. But this is really the skeleton of the whole show, which is crucial to each character and the entire setting. My character struggles with faith, and everything that happens to him is associated with it. But faith drives him to keep moving forward and striving for higher goals, all of which is tied to religion and his soul.
Mtime: Curt Sartre's just-finished fx series Children of Chaos was a huge success, and he's now creating the Dark Executioner. Will you be stressed because you want to help him achieve glory again?
<b>LEE JONES:</b> No. I think if you think about it, it's just a burden for me and for this TV series. Together we have created a unique world, and if you think about the mess, it is just harmful. It's like we're in a parallel world, building our theatrical stage, far from Hollywood's fame, and that's fine.
Previously, the team participated in the event together
Mtime: In addition to writer Cote Sartre, the show brings together a super-production team that includes director Parris Buckley and producer Brian Glazer. As an actor, how does it feel to work with such an accomplished team?
<b>LEE JONES:</b> You know, it feels really great because everybody knows exactly what they want. This points the way to our final outcome. I felt like we were shorthand and always kept on the same page. When we shoot, we always maintain the authenticity of things. I got a lot of support from the beginning. It's all really great. Because of their strong guidance, everything will be clear, they will know what they want, and the work will become handy.
MTIME: Did Kurt Sartre tell you what the overall structure of the show was and what he wanted to express through the work?
<b>LEE JONES:</b> Yes. But the whole show is constantly evolving. So all I knew was the skin, and he didn't tell me everything. But when we were shooting, he would come and see and tell us every time he thought of something.
Mtime: Curt Sartre has always had a deep friendship with his lead actors, such as Michael Chekris in "The Shield" and Charlie Hannham in "Children of Chaos". So, working together, how is the relationship between you and him?
<b>LEE JONES:</b> Our relationship was very good. He was very supportive of me from day one. He always took good care of me and he was really a very enthusiastic person. He cares a lot about how we actors feel, so the work has been going well. From time to time, we would discuss together how the characters would develop. I always wanted to know what he was thinking and wanted to be able to respond to him. I think he'll take inspiration from our performances, so he'll set up the next few episodes or add something to the previous episodes based on what we're shooting. He's a great guy and very supportive of me. We had a deep friendship.