Actor Charles Dance

https://aboutactorcharlesdance.blogspot.com

Charles Dance Breaks Down Rabbit Hole's Deadly Father-Son Confrontation

Screen Rant: You just barely scrape by in episode 7, and for a split second I thought Ben was a goner. What was it like filming that tense confrontation with John, both from the perspective of Ben's feelings at that moment and having to act out getting shot in the head?

Charles Dance: It was a really good scene to shoot. There's a whole load of things going on in poor John's head, and the audience is given three or four different versions of it, so it's incumbent on all of us actors to play each version as if that is the real one.

For Kiefer and for myself, we're not just playing two characters here, we're actually playing father and son. There's that filial element between us, and the possibility that a son might shoot his father or the possibility that the father is about to be shot by his son? That's an extra level to play, and we have to play it as realistically as possible. And we hope that the audience is going to buy it!

Speaking of these alternate realities, when you're reading that in the script, how quickly do you catch on to the real one? Do you discuss how much of it is intuition on John's part, or whether there's some vibe that Ben is giving off versus just John's delusion?

Charles Dance: All of us have opened and maintained the line of communication with John and Glenn because, as writers and showrunners, they're incredibly talented guys. But they keep their cards as close to their chest in their work. As the characters in this show, so there were times when we just had to make sure that what we were thinking was what they intended. And if it wasn't, they would tell us.

I can only talk about this from my own point of view; I can't speak for anybody else. But there were times when I wasn't quite sure, and I'd say, "Listen, John and Glenn, am I going in the right direction?" We all had to concentrate as hard as the audience has to concentrate on this show, and you have to concentrate when you're watching this. You can't lie back on your sofa; you have to lean forward to watch this. Otherwise, you'll miss something that is vital to your understanding of the story.

One thing that's a very huge part of Ben's character is Crowley, who dictates Ben's motivations and is the reason that your life has gone as off the rails as it has. How do you fight an omnipresent ghost, and will we come face-to-face with Crowley in the finale?

Charles Dance: I can't tell you that. [Laughs] I mean, this is what has driven Ben's life for at least 30 years more because this strange boyhood friendship was more of a grown-up, competitive colleagues situation than two friends who went out and rode bicycles and played football together. They're a weird pair as children, let's face it.

But Ben likes to think that he's driven by a certain set of morals, whereas it very became very apparent to him that Crowley was not. And the endless possibility of what Crowley could do with the information that he has is appalling to Ben. That's the direction of his life, basically. That's been uppermost in his mind, and it must be awful to live with that. I suppose a lesser man would have walked away.

I also love how we see a twisted parallel in John and Valence's friendship, and Ben took them both under his wing as proteges in his fight. But this episode proves just how loyal Valence really was in the end. How does Ben feel about him? Was he a second son, a partner, or more like a tool?

Charles Dance: He obviously sees himself through a mirror with Weir and Valence, and he has to persuade them of the rightness of what he is obsessed with and what he wants to do. He has to accept that he needs their expertise, and he has no doubt about John's expertise. But he accepts the fact that John and Valence and others are partnerships.John spends a great deal of time with and has a lot of respect for Valence, but Ben has to deal with his son's state of mind. While he has faith in his son's ability, he's rather worried about his son's mental state, and that bothers him all the time.

I also really enjoy the dynamic that you have with Meta Golding's Hailey, where you're both very distrusting of each other at first. But as it goes on, Hailey has become an invaluable part of the team. Is he warming up to her? How is that back and forth for you?

Charles Dance: Yeah, he's warming up to her. But he still doesn't trust her completely. The only one I personally trust is Rob Yang's character. He's absolutely fantastic, by the way. Rob is such a clever guy and gives such a wonderful performance.

I think there's only one episode left now. How satisfying a wrap-up would you say the finale is? Do you think we'll be screaming for season 2 the second it ends? What's your take?

Charles Dance: I hope you'll be screaming for season 2! Very much so, because even though everybody knows that we're coming up to the finale, don't expect there to be a conclusion.

Are you a fan of mystery box shows and thrillers in general? What do you think makes Rabbit Hole stand out in the genre?

Charles Dance: I am a fan as long as they're well-written, and I think this one is certainly well-written. I was astonished to realize that John and Glenn were capable of writing this just as much as they're capable of writing Bad Santa. These guys are so clever, and their imagination is limitless. Hopefully, we do go to a second series because I'm sure they will come up with another amazing storyline and confuse us all.

Finally, if you were to fake your own death, some reason, what would you do with your newfound life?

Charles Dance: What a horrible thing to do! [Laughs] I'd be off the grid, chilling. Preferably by the sea somewhere.

https://screenrant.com/rabbit-hole-episode-7-charles-dance-interview/