Kiefer Sutherland on enjoying John Weir in ‘Rabbit Gap’

Summarize this content material to 540 phrases If it’s a present about spies, lies and shifting allies, likelihood is Kiefer Sutherland’s identify is within the combine for the lead function.Besides, within the case of latest Paramount Plus sequence “Rabbit Gap,” the British-Canadian actor wasn’t simply within the dialog for the a part of company espionage professional John Weir: the function was written for him. He was the primary and solely selection for showrunners John Requa and Glenn Ficarra, as they described eventually week’s South by Southwest Competition in Austin, Texas, who pitched him on their sequence after they heard he was on the lookout for a brand new venture.“I’m grateful they stated one thing as a result of I acquired a name from two of my favorite writers on the planet,” Sutherland stated in an interview, mentioning their “Unhealthy Santa” screenplay as a specific favorite.After he was offered with the script simply six weeks after the chat, Sutherland was equally impressed that the whole lot they pitched within the cellphone name had made it into the pages in entrance of him.“I used to be so excited they requested me first as a result of whoever they requested was going to finish up doing this. They type of had me at ‘good day.’”“Rabbit Gap” is a thriller sequence in the identical vein as “Three Days of the Condor,” “Marathon Man” and “The Parallax View,” all movies that the actor is enthusiastic about.It follows Weir, described as a grasp of deception on this planet of company espionage, as he tries to clear his identify after being framed for homicide. It’s greatest described as a seek for the reality, not just for the present’s lead character but additionally for the viewer, who can’t totally belief if Weir is actually the hero. Discerning what’s and isn’t actual is a signature of Sutherland’s greatest recognized characters, together with Martin Bohm in “Contact,” Jack Bauer in “24” and Tom Kirkman in “Designated Survivor.” When requested why each he and audiences discover tales about getting solutions so compelling, the Emmy-winning actor was direct.“I don’t assume there’s something extra painful than being lied to. It’s heartbreaking. That heartbreaking second the place somebody you realize has led you to imagine they love you and you discover out that they don’t … That’s the factor that if I want to attract on an emotion, I can go to these photos of my very own non-public life and faucet into that in a short time.”It doesn’t matter what he does or the place he goes, Sutherland is used to being requested about his “24” alter ego, Bauer. That’s what occurs once you play the identical character throughout 9 seasons. When requested if he prefers enjoying the hunter or the hunted, he smiled.“It’s an not possible query to reply as a result of they each have their worth. I likened Jack Bauer to be extra of a blunt instrument. He’s acquired one objective in thoughts and he’s going to perform no matter that activity is to thwart regardless of the menace is at that given second. John Weir is a way more nuanced character. He’s a way more mental type of combatant and he actually goes from hunter to hunted at first of our present.”The actor believes there are benefits to enjoying each characters on the run and characters working after somebody.“There’s pleasure in working and hiding and being determined, and actually working to your life. There’s additionally an unbelievable visceral type of factor that comes over you once you’re chasing somebody and you must catch them.”The 2 forms of roles are examples of the flexibility Sutherland is at all times searching for.“One of many causes that I believe I’m a great actor is that I can get myself into a spot the place I’m on this, and I imply it and I need it … all of the lights shall be on inside me. It’s about making a dynamic for an viewers to comprehend how a lot vitality is being exerted and making an attempt to get them to really feel that.”“Rabbit Gap” is a particular venture for Sutherland for an additional cause.It serves as one other love letter to Toronto from the actor, who grew up right here. The drama filmed within the GTA final yr and is the second latest sequence Sutherland has labored on in his hometown after wrapping “Designated Survivor” in 2019.“I’m so happy with the best way it appears to be like and sounds,” Sutherland stated.The actor, who moonlights as a profitable musician, additionally paid tribute to the town when he titled his third album “Bloor Road” final yr: a nod to the place the place he had his first kiss and the place he labored within the Hudson Bay Centre meals court docket as an adolescent.“Rabbit Gap” streams on Paramount Plus Canada on March 26.Murtz Jaffer is a Toronto-based leisure author and a contract contributor for the Star. 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