If you could ask Josh Holloway and Meghan Ory, stars of Intelligence, and Michael Seitzman, one of the show’s producers, anything at all, what would you ask? Earlier today, the three answered questions ranging from the color of their socks to the future of Intelligence (and lots of questions about Lost as well) in a free-ranging discussion on reddit.com. Reddit’s IAMAs sessions are Q&As with celebrities, people with unusual professions, and many others – check them out and see if someone you’d be interested in talking with is on the schedule!
I’ve included most of the questions that were answered by one or more of the Intelligence crew; for the entire Q&A, click here.
Hey y’all! What has been the most exciting part about Intelligence? How is it different from your past projects?
Josh Holloway: Most exciting part has been the challenge of leading a show. It’s all encompassing, it’s a lot more workload than I am used to, so I like that. The most challenging part has been the hours, and to try and maintain through a full season of action. It’s a full load for me to handle, combined with the hours onset, and making some producer decisions, and having some control creatively, it’s very much more involved. Lost I wasn’t allowed any of that. Lost I got my lines, I did my work. That’s all I was able to do. This I get more creative input, which is fun, and because we’re discovering it, I like the way Michael works and we’re discovering together. The writing team are very open to trying to make things work, to discovering things on the fly, which is fun, and which is what me (as a producer) on-set is able to do. I’m bringing it off the page to life. So there are certain things that change when you do that, from paper to life. You have to make certain decisions to make it work. So that’s fun, and challenging.
Michael Seitzman: For me, personally, the most exciting elements of Intelligence are the incredible cast and writers and the special effects. Making the cyberrenders is incredibly fun, as you might imagine. The other thing that’s been really great is live tweeting every week during the show. To see how all of you respond to the show in real time is an incredible experience for all of us.
Response: The cyber renders and the little popups as he accesses things are my favorite parts of the show.
MS: they’re so much fun to come up with. And all the documents are real and written by the wildly talented MacKenzie Fallon. I send some of them out each week on twitter – @michaelseitzman
Josh, Did you come up with any of the nicknames on Lost and which one was your favorite?
JH: Not really that they used. What I did do was that I liked to nickname people just for fun, and I was hanging out with Damon, I don’t know if that was part of his original thing or not, it probably was because Damon (Lindelof) and JJ (Abrams) are brilliant, but we were hanging out before (because Damon wanted to get to know the cast so he could write for our personalities). so during that time I gave everybody a nickname, so Maggie Grace had these long legs so everybody called her “sticks.” And then anytime would fuck something up, I would laugh and say “there’s an eagle in every seagull, you’ll make it, just keep flying.” So it was just kind of like that, and it just started rolling so people liked it and Damon was just great at it. But I was afraid of some of the nicknames they liked, like I had to call Jorge Stay-Puft which I thought was a little harsh. I remember making an actor’s choice there, I felt so self-conscious about saying that to him that I wanted our scene to be comedy a bit, so I asked the props for children’s sunglasses so they gave me some children’s sunglasses to wear, I think they were yellow-y and had teddybears or something on it. So I’m reading on the beach when Jorge approaches me to ask me something, and I call him Stay-Puft, and it was funny because I was wearing children’s sunglasses and it looked ridiculous. So it kind of worked.
Hello, I wonder if Lee Majors will guest on the show. When I was a kid, I watched a lot of Six Million Dollar Man! 😀
JH: I would love it! Are you kidding me? Didn’t everyone have the doll where you could look through the head?
MS: LOVE Six Million Dollar Man and love Lee Majors.
Hi everyone! Who were your role models growing up?
JH: My role models growing up: Doctor Julius Erving, I thought I was going to be an NBA baller until I realized I wasn’t. Pele, I was very into sports obviously, so he was this amazing brazilian soccer player back then, so he was a big influence on me growing up because I loved soccer. Abraham Lincoln, because my father looks exactly like Abraham Lincoln and he had to give the Gettysburg address at any school event I or my brothers did. He had the top hat and the suspenders and everything, so naturally dad taught us everything about Abe Lincoln. Another one was Charles Ingalls, from Little House on the Prairie. I grew up in a very rural area in the country, my dad built all our house, and he was very educated and lived in the city but liked living out in the country. Me and my brothers actually slept in a loft, climbing a ladder, kind of like Little House on the Prairie. So that was it. Abe Lincoln, Charles Ingalls, Pele and Julius Erving.
Hi Josh! Me and my friends met you when you were in Prague :). We sent you a book about Prague and some other stuff. Did you ever get it? And did you enjoy your stay there? :))
JH: OH YES, I’m remembering. I got the book, thank you so much, and I loved Prague. I love the architecture because it goes back to the 9th century, it was one of the only cities not bombed by Hitler so it is incredible as far as architecture and history.
For Michael:
- Will there be CBS Intelligence promos or events in Silicon Valley/SF Bay Area?
- How did the concept of Intelligence start or come about? Who thought of the “chip in the brain” concept as opposed to something else?
- Did you had in mind Meghan, Josh, and Marg playing the main roles, at the start of casting?
- When will the Series 1 outtakes be available?
MS: Hi – thanks for the questions. In terms of promos, i assume you mean live events – there’s currently nothing scheduled, but hopefully we’ll see you at the next ComicCon. We had a great panel in San Diego in the fall, which you can find on CBS.com.
In terms of the cast, each one of these wonderful actors was our very first choice.
Outtakes will be available soon online, and on DVD at the end of the season.
For Josh:
- When you initially read the script, were you immediately interested in playing the Gabriel role or did you have to be talked into it?
- What do you like most about playing Gabriel?
- Will Amelia be coming bacK in some form or other?
JH: I was immediately interested because I’d been wanting to play a spy, you know, a kind of super spy type role, throughout my career because I have that skill set. So that intrigued me. And I was looking for a new palette of a spy show, something that was not like any other spy shows that had been done, so the addition of the technology and the chip in the brain felt fresh and new, like a new take on a spy show. I liked the questions it poses between our own humanity and technology, because I think these are questions we ask ourselves every day now.
I like the action! I like action, it’s fun.
I think so. Not to give it away, but I’d say more than likely.
I have a question for Josh and Meghan. You are known for Lost and OUAT. What are your favorite lesser-known or guest-starring roles that you have played?
JH: I was a medieval knight / thief on Walker Texas Ranger. How about that? I had extensions sewn in down to my ass, but it was great.
And then I played Kenny, the parking attendant on CSI Las Vegas, that Marg was a star of. I had a little scene with George. And I played a guy called Wino in a movie called Stay Cool, I based the character on Who from Whoville, from the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. He had a funky topknot ponytail and lots of tattoos and was definitely a stoner. I played a guy named Pheb, short for February, who made everyone spell his name that way, and he was an unconventional sex counselor, from an indie film called Doctor Benny, about a gynecologist that couldn’t get laid.
MO: I did a movie called Merlin’s Apprentice with my husband where a played a boy. It was great. No makeup.
Josh – What was your favorite scene to film in Lost?Also,was filming the Community paintball episode as fun as it looked?
JH: One of my favorite scenes to film in Lost were the cage scenes. I thought they were well-done, and it’s interesting to be separated by something, have a barrier between you and the other actor, it’s just an interesting element.
YEAH! Had a blast. Who doesn’t like blowing up a room with paintball?
I just wanted to ask both of you how you see each other’s characters developing together, with regards to their relationship? It seems like there’s some sort of chemistry between the two. Also, Meghan Ory, you’re freaking gorgeous.
MO: Gabriel is Riley’s protectee so her main focus is keeping him alive but he is also the first person in her life that has looked out for her too. Because of this Gabriel is someone very important to her. Whether or not their relationship moves into a more intimate place you’ll have to stay tuned. Oh and thank you!
JH: I feel like their relationship will deepen. I think they may hook up intimately, not sure if they would stay together, they might just be an “oops” moment. I’m not sure.
Josh, what is a specific role or character that influenced you to get into acting?
JH: God, I’m not sure which one, my first real cinematic experience that was shocking to me like wow was Star Wars as a kid. So Luke, obviously, Mark Hamill and Han Solo, that relationship like lit me up you know? I was like Oh my god, they’re so cool. So that as a child, and I think what really moved me the first time to majorly tears was Sophie’s Choice. Meryl and Kevin Kline, that rocked. And of course, Terms of Endearment about crushed me. Those two really moved me like wow. This is actually a validity other than entertainment and makes you ask questions of yourself.
Josh, when you watch Lost, do you find yourself on Team Jack or Team Sawyer? Or can you not judge fairly, having played one of them? For the record, I was team Sawyer through and through.
JH: Haha! I find myself on both their teams. They are both valid. They are opposite spectrums of the same guy.
Meghan, will you be back on Once Upon A Time?
MO: 50 shades of Red in season 3
What color socks are you wearing?
MO: What color socks are you wearing?
JH: WOW! Black, I’m wearing kind of black socks and camel pants.
MS: Orange. Seriously.
What is the best part about being part of this kind of project?
MS: It’s like a childhood fantasy every day. We constantly asks ourselves… what if? Like, what if a murderer was put to death and he wasn’t really put to death, but was used in experiments… and that became last week’s episode. What could be more fun than that?
JH: It’s fun. It’s challenging. The best part for me is that it is fulfilling on all levels. It’s difficult, it’s a lot of action to handle, a lot of discoveries on how to do this new effect, like how to make it seem real and not gadgety, and then I love my cast members, which makes it a blast, the relationships that are happening on-set. So it’s really an all-encompassing fulfillment in my art if you will. It’s fun to be challenged on every level.
Hi guys! I love the show! Josh, I noticed you’re a producer on Intelligence. How did that come about and do you enjoy that aspect of your work?
JH: Well it came about because I fought for it! And because I loved storytelling, and it’s something I want to do for the rest of my life. I’m not sure if I want to be in front of the camera all of my life, because of the pressure of the image world, I’m a little tired of it unless people want to let me get fat and do character work. But I like producing because I like being a part of the creative storytelling aspect of what we do. I’ve written an animated feature, and a comedy and stuff, so I’m out there writing and trying to get my stuff produced, so it’s fun, and I think part of my future dealings.
MS: Josh is a fantastic producer and very hands-on. We love our partnership with him very much.
I am enjoying the show so far. What did you do to prepare for this role?
JH: Well, I had just finished going through a SWAT school training. I did a movie called Sabotage, which is coming out on March 19 I think, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and a bunch of people, and we had to be trained through SWAT school. So it kind of worked out that I had just finished with that and the Intelligence script came along. I’ve been doing martial arts for 20 years so I was trained in that way. So these are just skill sets I have, and I’ve been developing over the years, I grew up with three brothers so I always wanted to be a spy or play a spy, so it was that. AND I felt like as far as the chip in the brain situation, I’m not computer savvy and it made me nervous that side of it, so I thought it was a good idea. Anything that makes me fearful or nervous, I tend to go for as an actor.
MO: Lots of weapons training and yoga!
To all of you- I can’t wait to see tonight’s episode! What was you favorite scene or episode to film?
MS: There’s a very dramatic scene with the whole cast toward the end of the episode. It was very emotional for everyone and also included some incredible visual effects. A lot of moving parts. Very moving, in fact.
Hi guys! Don’t you think that there’s already too much tension between Gabriel and Riley? he he
JH: Hahaha! Maybe, it’s her fault. Haha. It’s not really too much tension between them yet, considering Amelia has been gone for six years I think, and when he found her finally, what he did realize was he is not first on her list. She is a patriot first, she has left him and gone deep undercover, and it hurt him a bit and released him a bit. He’s a man, it’s been a long time, his wife has rejected him, so it allows him to be a little bit more open to Riley.
Response: come on Josh! you can cut the tension with a knife, so congrats because you two made me fall in love with Gabriel and Riley and now i think they need each other in some way.
MO: Gotta love some good tension!
Hey guys! Thanks for the AMA. My friend and I have a weekly date to watch your show and we absolutely love it. Any word on Season 2 yet? I’ve heard rumors, and I’d hate to see this show go away. You have 2 diehard fans here who want to keep it going. What is the craziest/funniest thing to have happened on set?
MS: I’m going to go with Meghan being rushed to a hospital with appendicitis. Not funny, but definitely crazy. 🙂
JH: No word yet, fingers crossed, let the chips fall where they may. 🙂 And thank you for being a die-hard fan.
Gosh, I don’t know. I had so much fun on that set, let me think about that for a minute. I’ll have to get back to you on that. The water tank stuff was wild. Acting underwater in the tank is always challenging and fun for me. It’s different. And poor Meghan, luckily I had lots of experience with water work from Lost, but it’s challenging to not drown while you act.
MS: Oh, yeah, the tank! So much fun. Although we did almost drown Meghan. Sorry, Meghan!
Have you, since the interview stating you haven’t, watched the show Chuck? What do you make of the comparisons?
MS: I haven’t seen Chuck, but the fans are so passionate. We’re incredibly impressed by them and would love them all to tune into our show.
This question’s for Josh, I was wondering, are you ticklish? If so where and are your feet ticklish? 🙂
JH: Yes I am very ticklish. Yes my feet are ticklish. Pretty much anything, I’m damn ticklish.
Josh, do you have any plans of working with J.J. Abrams in the future?
JH: I hope so! Love J.J. as an artist and as a man.
For all of you, how much fun is it on the set?
MO: We work long hours and are so lucky to have such a great cast and crew which makes everyday so much fun.
MS: So much fun. Amazing cast and crew. I feel unbelievably fortunate.
What actor do you want to work with that you have not worked with already?
JH: Gee whiz, there’s a lot! I guess my biggest idol and who I’d be honored if I could hang in the scene with would be Daniel Day-Lewis. And Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, that kind of people. There are so many actors and actresses I can’t even list ’em, but Daniel is #1, to me he is the best actor on the planet at this juncture.
Hi Josh! What was it like to be a part of LOST? Thanks.
JH: One of the most incredible experiences of my life. Both personally and professionally.
I can’t think of anything to ask, but just want to say I enjoy the show very much. I really hope it stays on. Too many great shows always get canceled. Some people just can’t seem to appreciate intelligently written stories that make you think and question. Also enjoy your roles in Lost and Once Upon A Time. Actually, for Josh: There has been talk of a Stephen King production of The Dark Tower and your name was brought up as a potential for the character Roland Deschain. If you were offered the role, would you take it? I think it would work well!
JH: I would love it! In fact, I met with Ron Howard about it two years ago. Who knows what could happen.
For both Meghan and Josh: if you could play any other character in the show, who would you choose? My guess is you’d both choose Lillian.
MO: Marg Helgenberger is so incredible in the role of Lilian. Riley sees her as a role model and someone she looks up to immensely.
Josh, how different is it to play a character that is completely opposite to Sawyer?
JH: I wouldn’t say he’s opposite of Sawyer. He just found an outlet for his anger.
Josh, I’ve been a fan for a long time… out of all the roles you’ve played, like in Mi Amigo, Cold Heart, Whisper, Lost, etc… what’s your favorite type of role to play? and what’s the most challenging for you?
JH: Most favorite role to play is an anti-hero, Mike Sawyer, a flawed character, because I am flawed, and comedy. I love big characters, like big, big characters who are animated. No one really gives me that opportunity, but I thrive in creating big comic characters.
Have any of you finished your work with a show or a film and felt like you wanted to know more about the character you’ve left behind? Have you ever developed any elaborate backstories for any of your subjects?
MO: Creating backstory is one of my favorite parts of acting. It’s a time where you can really let your imagination run free. Any character I play I feel sad when it’s time to say goodbye to them. They become a part of you for that little bit of time.
Josh and Meghan. Did you expect your characters to have so much chemistry with each other so early in the show? I think you’re one of the best double acts on tv.
MO: Thank you so much. I think Gabriel and Riley have such different ways of operating in the world that it created instant tension. Which is so much fun to play with.
Hey Meghan, just wanted to say I miss you a lot on Twitter although I understand why you left and respect your decision. It’s just so good to be able to contact you again, I missed this! Loving the show, it’s getting better every week! 🙂
MO: Thank you. Yes, leaving twitter was a very difficult decision as I love being able to connect with the fans. I have really appreciated the support though and everyone seems to understand why I made the decision to leave. It’s So nice to be able to do this here though!
Hey Josh, what all do you do to stay in shape? Do you do all of your own stunts?
JH: I do every stunt they will allow me to, so most all stunts, yes. And to stay in shape, I do martial arts, some crossfit, and basically move more and eat less.
Do you guys see the chip developing, and being updated with all sorts of new awesomeness as the season progresses, or is that facet of the show static for now? Essentially, will the team be updating the chip to help Gabriel deal with new threats and situations?
MS: Yes! And, incidentally, he gets free updates.
MO: I think part of what will keep this show fresh for years to come is that Gabriel and the team are constantly learning new things about the chip. What it can do and more importantly where it’s vulnerable.
JH: I believe like all computers it will be able to be updated. I’m open for any shift in tone. I would like to see Gabriel on the run, actually. Like, disavowed, enemy of the state, having to solve crimes on the run.
For Josh: – Do you want Amelia back? – What take you so long to come back to our screens? I have watched all your movies!! For Meghan: – I can tell that you enjoy the action scenes, am I right? – What is the best thing about Riley? – Do you think that Gabriel and Riley can be more than partners? For Michael: -Are you worried about ratings? – Do you know something about a possible second season? – This in not a question…. Good job!!! I really love this show!!
JH: I do want Amelia back! At least that storyline fleshed out, I don’t know for how long, but I would like to see a completion of that. And thank you for watching all my movies, and I have been doing some more movies, movies are just quaaludes slow to come out.
MO: I love doing the action scenes. It is so much fun to run around in the dirt and fight bad guys. I love so many things about Riley it’s hard to choose just one. I love how effective she is at her job. How smart and fearless she is. So many things. As for Gabriel and Riley’s future I think anything is possible.
MS: Thank you! Glad you like it. Our ratings have been growing steadily. We’re in a tough time slot against tough competition, but people have been finding the show. Last week 10 million watched in America and that’s against the Olympics. No small feat. We’re very hopeful about a second season.
Josh and Meghan- What is your favorite type of music?
JH: I’d say classic rock and folk rock. But I like all music. I love classical music, I love bluegrass, I love heavy metal, I love it all. I play guitar, and hand percussion, some harmonica, just got a piano, so I love music.
For Meghan and Josh, are you two bickering on set like Riley and Gabriel on the show? Because I absolutely LOVE that.
JH: Only when she does not listen to me. I’m always right.
MO: The bickering part of Gabriel and Riley comes very easy to us.
This one is for all of you, if you could be on any other tv show, which one would it be? And, I absolutely love acting, could you give me some tips on auditions, where to go or what I absolutely must not do?
MO: If I could be on any other TV show, which would it be? I don’t know if I could answer that. I like being on our show so much. I do love Homeland and House of Cards.
As for tips on auditions, this is my advice. Convince yourself that you already got the role and the audition is actually a rehearsal for the role you already have. It’ll help get rid of the nervousness and help you commit.
I also have a thing about actors saying good luck to me when they finish. Makes it seem like they’re certain they didn’t get the part. I want people to believe in themselves.
I see in the future another human with your attributes but with a more intelligent chip in their head. Then you and that person battling. Possibility?
JH: I would love that! In fact, it’s already happening. The girl in my cyber-render who has hacked me, Mei Chen, the other has a next generation above mine level of chip. I already have a nemesis who has a newer chip than mine!
For Meghan and Josh: What’s it like working with Marg? Do you guys joke around on set? Btw, I love the show. It’s my favorite part about Mondays. You guys rock! 🙂
MO: Thanks! Marg is a joy to work with. We joke around and do yoga together in between takes.
JH: I love working with Marg. She’s fun, professional, and sassy pants. In fact, we call her “G-puddin” for ginger pudding.
For Meghan: Do you miss Canada?
MO: I was just in Canada last week!
Hi! Josh; What was the hardest scene to act in LOST? What was it like to work with Evangeline Lilly and Matthew Fox? What was the first scene that you shot in LOST? Did you like the end of LOST? What was your favourite scene in LOST?
JH: The Juliet dying in my arms scene was the hardest. And I had to film it twice, due to technical problems that entire day. It sucked. It was awesome working with the two of them, I love them both. They can both bring the heat. First scene I shot in Lost was shooting the polar bear and stuff. They were trekking through the woods right there. And that began the love triangle. Did I like the end? Yes and no. I think it was an impossible story to wrap up in an episode. It was an almost impossible show to wrap up. I liked all the raft because we actually had to sail the raft, we were left out there, they towed us out with a boat, we had a sail and then they let us go. We were two miles offshore sailing that fucker for real. And that was really epic, where you realized you’re actually out there sailing this makeshift raft. That raft thing, with the favorite scene. I also liked the sitting around the campfire scenes with Matthew a lot because we both bring the heat, so it was fun.
Really excited for Intelligence, this show has amazing potential. But I have to wonder, do you guys make a point of watching your shows on tv yourselves? Can you immerse yourself in the plot, or do you instead find yourself just remembering working on that scene?
MS: I love watching with a laptop in my lap so I can check out everyone’s reactions as the show progresses. (I also like to make sure it’s airing correctly, with no technical glitches!)
Michael Seitzman
How many seasons do you guys intend the show to go on for? Many shows start out really good but get dragged out for too long. I’m really enjoying the show so far. Also, has being involved in a show of this material changed your opinion about the future of technological development e.g. test tube babies etc.
MS: We intend the show to go on indefinitely. But, it’s what YOU all intend that ultimately matters most, though. If people watch, we’ll be there.
One thing we’re all aware of in the writer’s room is how delicate technology is. I should rephrase, it’s humanity that’s delicate in the face of technology. We try to get at that theme repeatedly on the show because it’s so present in our creative discussions.
Josh, a few months back my friends and I were at a restaurant you were also at in Los Angeles. You were with a bunch of friends and talking to them about chicken pot pie. It seemed like a pretty involved story – could we perhaps hear the chicken pot pie story in more detail?
MS: I, too, would love to hear the chicken pot pie story!
JH: I gotta be honest: DAMN! I can’t exactly recall the chicken pot pie conversation, as I was probably a few glasses of wine in, but on the subject of chicken pot pie, being a southerner, I love it so much I would practically bathe in chicken pot pie.
Will we see more of Lillian being a badass? Did you always plan for the Amelia Hayes storyline to be wrapped up fairly early on? That is, if it is completely wrapped up. Also, Meghan, I recently rewatched Higher Ground and thought you were great. What was that whole experience like?
MO: Oh that’s fantastic. I loved higher ground. It was my first series and where I met my best friend to this day AJ Cook!
Josh, as a Lost fan, I’m having a great time watching you again! As of yet, what has been your favorite scene in Intelligence?
JH: I like the scene after the supposed death of my wife, when Riley came to me to apologize. The last scene of that second episode.
Michael, what can we expect for the next episode?
MS: Some awesomeness. Great visual effects tonight and a really cool concept.
Also, a couple of great actors tonight – David Marciano, from Homeland (one of my favorite shows) and a wonderful actor named Tommy Dewey, who I saw and loved in roles in Criminal Minds, Mad Men, CSI Miami. They do phenomenal work on this episode, called “Size Matters.”
Michael- do you see any crossover potential with another CBS show? Person of Interest, maybe?
MS: I’m a huge lover of Person of Interest, Elementary, and Good Wife. I don’t know how we’d crossover with them (Good Wife?!), but how much fun would that be.
Now that the first season had wrapped up shooting, what are your plans?
MS: I’m working on two other pilots. One is Cleopatra – which is not your mama’s Cleopatra! And the other is a cool drama/thriller, which I’ll tell you about if I finish it and it doesn’t suck.
Riley’s my favorite character, so I’m wondering if we’re getting more backstory on her this season? I hope so!
MO: Thank you. Riley is pretty secretive but I think you won’t be disappointed.
If you can travel anywhere in the world, what’s your dream destination?
MS: Good question. So many places. I love Europe – London, Rome, Paris. Given that we’re just finishing the season, what I really want is a lounge chair next to a pool somewhere. Anywhere!
Intelligence vs Almost Human; two shows with futuristic technology based crime fighting, and ties to Lost – seems pretty coincidental. What does Intelligence have planned that will set it apart?
MS: I only saw the pilot of Almost Human, which I liked a lot. It’s a much different show, of course. It’s set in the future, for one thing. And it has a robot and a pretty tortured character. I happen to love that kind of relationship, but it doesn’t seem at all similar to ours.
For Meghan:
- What are the characteristics of Riley that is similar to yours?
- Of the various wrist watches Riley wears, which one do you like best?
- Will you be updating your website or Facebook? Where can we find news about you, that you have approved?
- Have you thought about playing a role in a comedy?
- When will your series of books be published?
MO: That’s a lot of questions. Ok here we go: I definitely have a serious side similar to Riley’s. I like Riley’s new big watch from episode 9. I will at sometime get myself organized to get a website and that will be the official way to get in touch with me. I LOVE comedy and hope I get the opportunity to do more. My book series will be published when I find a publisher, so if you know someone let me know!
Any chance of Riley and Gabriel getting together?
MO: Anything is possible in tv land!
MS: As the Irish poet Seamus Heaney once said, “If you have the words, there’s always a chance that you’ll find the way.”
What would you be doing if you wouldn’t be acting/producing?
MS: I’d probably be teaching.
MO: I’d take that class!
For Michael: What gave you the idea for Intelligence? Do you think this show will have a long run/what feedback have you been given so far? I just wanted to say this is my favorite new show of 2014 and I can not wait to watch it every Monday so I thank you for creating such an amazing show with such amazing characters and writing!
MS: Thank you for the question and thanks for watching. I wanted to make a show that dealt with augmented humanity. We all have smart phones with access to just about anything. What would happen if that smart phone was actually connected to our brain? What could we do? And what would it do to us? Setting it in a spy show seemed the best and most fun way to explore it.
What moments/scenes of the show are most fun to film for you all?
MS: The cyberrenders and action scenes are a lot of fun. Though, like most things, the fireworks are great, but the relationships become everything. In the end, a moment between two characters – heated or intimate – is what you live for.
MO: The action scenes are always fun but one of the great things about Intelligence is every episode contains deep moments of human connection. Those are my favorite to film, especially between Gabriel and Riley. We get to see the human side of their tough exteriors.
I love the scenes in which Riley and Gabriel are talking on the phone and looking at each other through his window when she’s in her porch. On set, is that really close or the balcony and the window are in two different places?
MS: They’re about twenty feet from each other. We love those scenes, too, which is why we write them pretty often.
MO: They are actually very close to each other. It’s such a great element that Michael Seitzman created. Those are my favorite scenes too.
