Fringe: Exclusive Q+A with John Noble aka Walter Bishop
As Fringe premieres on TV2 - don't forget to watch our exclusive footage and the first scorching episode again if you miss it on Wednesday on TV2 - we caught up with John Noble aka Walter Bishop about his role in the new JJ Abrams' drama!
1)Tell us a little about your character Walter
Bishop.
Walter is an exceptional intellect. A scientist who has
been involved in cutting edge work. He suffered a breakdown 20
years ago and was incarcerated in a mental institution. He was
subjected to treatments which have left him a shell of his former
self. He has suffered memory loss, has paranoia, physical
impediments and has lost whatever social skills he may have
had.
For all that he has a good basic moral sense buried somewhere. His
forced reconciliation with his son has caused him to have an
awakening of sorts. He is a man on the path to redemption. He will
face many unpleasant recovered memories on that journey.
2) He has a bit of trouble relating after being locked
up for years -how hard was it to play a man who's scientifically
brilliant but socially lacking ?
It is challenging to find the right balance for Walter.
The writers give me some wonderful material to play with. My task
is to portray as truthfully as I can each moment, each nuance, each
emotion without judgement.
3) How is it working on a JJ Abrams show?
JJ is top dog in Hollywood at present. There is a lot of
attention focussed on everything he does. That is a double edged
sword. On one hand people expect constant surprises, constant new
innovations. On the other however we have no shortage of
editorial and critical attention which is gold in the hurly burly
of network television. He is a brilliant man, and a great team
player. In that respect he reminds me of Peter Jackson.
4) With a JJ show there's always a lot of secrecy around
plots - does that make it hard to play the character without
knowing 100% where the journey's going?
This is not a problem for me. I am given enough to play
the moments I have to play. Walter has memory loss anyway, so he is
not at all sure of his own back story, and no-one ever really knows
the future.
5) Has the success of the show surprised you?
Yes, in the sense that once you start the daily grind of
doing a series, you are immune to a large degree to the
rumbles.
No, in the sense that we have so many exceptional creative minds
working on the show and a fine cast. The ingredients for success
are there.
Warner Brothers and Fox have been incredibly supportive.
6) Do you feel the current uncertain times with
recessions and worries over swine flu and health have helped people
consider fringe science?
Maybe. It's an interesting theory. Personally I have been
fascinated in fringe science for many years, and judging by the
numerous books available on the subject, so have many other people.
Also, science fiction has always excited the imagination of
people.
7) If you could sum up the appeal of the show to a new
audience, what would it be?
The production values are very high. This show looks like
a feature film every week. The combination of FBI procedural which
is evergreen, with science (fiction), and characters that audiences
seem to care about.
8) Have you had much feedback from the scientific
community - has there been any really out there stuff which you've
been contacted about?
Certainly the science community has been watching. Some
are thrilled by the validation of the possibilities, others askance
at the unsubstantiated material. We try to be very mindful of
'scientific feasibility'.
9) What can we expect for your character from the next
season?
Walter will continue to remember snippets of his past
life. He will become more independent. He will go through shame and
guilt about his past, both as a parent, and as a moral member of
the human race.
10) What's been your favourite episode/scene and
why?
Episode 8 was my personal favourite. Walter goes back to
the mental institution to try to extract information from an
inmate. Heart breaking stuff.
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