After a darker, action-packed, mythology laden 11 episodes, Haven concludes its second season tonight. Earlier this week, we were able to chat with Lucas Bryant on a conference call, and not only did he have some wonderful insight into the series and his character, he is also a mighty funny guy! Here’s a bit of what we learned, including some of his humorous little digs!
On the recent change in the relationship between Nathan and Audrey:
I think a lot of fans got what they wanted this past episode – I mean a taste of it anyway. And then maybe some were horrified, but I hope there’s not too many of those. But yes, I’m sorry to say I don’t see it progressing as easily as one might hope and realize. I mean there’s definitely going to be some roadblocks and speed bumps, I can’t and won’t tell you exactly what they are, and I don’t know the half of them. But I think that puts us on a trajectory that has potential to be lovely, but will probably inevitably be very difficult and potentially dangerous.
On whether he thinks part of Nathan’s attraction to Audrey is because she makes his Trouble more bearable:
Yes, I think there’s definitely in Nathan’s mind, there’s some feeling of fate there. Like she’s the only one that he can feel and so, yes for anyone to have that effect on him, I think puts their relationship up in high standing … I hope that them getting together doesn’t negate Audrey’s capability, like that their abilities or afflictions don’t cancel each other out. But that could be a good reason for them not to be together, couldn’t it?
On what intimidates or scares Nathan about pursuing a relationship with Audrey:
Well I guess first of all he is intimidated and/or scared by her period, because he is just that way. Not so comfortable letting it all hang out, and also because I think he has a great friendship with her – and mutual trust – that the last thing he wants to do is screw that up. Not that that has to inevitably be the way it works out, but I think as with any good relationship, there’s a lot of trepidation that comes with taking it any further.
On Nathan’s relationship with Duke:
It is very complicated, and you’re going to understand a bit more about why in the season finale. And I’m really happy about that. We know something about their complicated history, but there’s a really great reveal in the season finale that doesn’t fully explain their relationship, but gives a lot more insight into why it is what it is. [Eric Balfour’s] a great actor, and he’s a lot of fun to play with and work with. And any time we get to buddy up with for a moment, or be at odds, is a pleasure. Also, I think it’s something that fans have enjoyed as much as I have, so it’s a blast. Beginning to understand more why they are the way they are, which we do in the finale, I think is going to add a lot more weight to that relationship.
On Nicholas Campbell returning as Chief Wuornos – in some form or another – for the Season 2 Finale:
We get to see the Chief, or some version thereof, in the second season finale. And thank God, I was so excited for that. I love Nick, I think he’s a fantastic actor and person and a great character. So I’m really happy that he’s back, for this episode at least. And hopefully there’s potential for more. The conversation that Nathan and the Chief have in the season finale is revealing. But, how do I say this, it also doesn’t reveal everything that it could. So I believe there’ [are] going to be large ramifications from it, which we won’t necessarily come to understand until God willing, season three, four or five. It’s a big moment obviously for the character, and also for the show. But saying this, I wonder if people ,when they watch the show, will be like, “What the hell was Lucas talking about, because I didn’t see that.” Let me just say that there’s more to their interaction than we necessarily experience now. Boy that’s a bit vague, isn’t it?
On convincingly portraying a character that can’t feel anything:
They did a big wide casting call, looking for a really unfeeling actor, and they came up with me. So it’s really kind of just my actual personality and sad state of affairs here.
Initially in the first season, when we were starting, there was a lot of experimentation, figuring out what the heck that looked like and how I was going to maintain that. And then there’s something magical that happened. When you’re playing a character like that for so long, and especially when we’re living in this small town so far away from home, and you’re just kind of living it, it starts to seep into your being in your regular life. So I would go around and slam my hand on the car door after work and not even feel it, and realize that Nathan was me. What was that episode? Two, three – where he got his feelings back for a little while? It was hilarious to play, and so fun to have those little moments where he is revelling in what it’s like to feel after not having that feeling for so long.
I just try and find every opportunity that I can, whether it’s just bumping into door frames as [I] pass them or pressing pencils too hard into my forearm, just to give sort of physical indications of that affliction. It just happens [and] after a while, it’s second nature. The emotional distance that that physical distance forces [affects] his interactions with people in general, [which causes] the stand-offish and awkward physicality.
Tune in to the Season 2 Finale of Haven tonight at 10/9c on Syfy in the US, or Monday night at 10 ET/PT on Showcase in Canada.
Photo Courtesy of Syfy