Back in November, ABC premiered its re-imagining of the 1983 miniseries V after an expensive sky-writing campaign that advertised the show over 26 U.S. landmarks. The show premiered to strong ratings and favorable reviews but was yanked by the network after only four episodes for a four-month long hiatus. Network executive Steve McPherson explained that the break would make the series more of a "television event" but fans mourned the show and begged cast members to bring it back as soon as possible.
Last week, Movieline caught up with one of V's besieged stars, Joel Gretsch, who revealed that he is just as eager for his latest sci-fi venture to return before discussing his pivotal role on the United States of Tara and whether or not his father-in-law, William Shatner, has plans to guest-star on his ABC series.
So were you in Vancouver shooting during the Olympics?
I was. It was insane but it was great. What an energy to be around. Have you ever been to the Olympics?
Not yet. Did you see any events?
I did -- I went to the final USA/Canada match. It was extraordinary. Hockey is one of my favorite sports, but gosh the energy in that place was just rocking. Actually, it was probably better for my own safety that Canada won. [Laughs] Everyone was rooting for Canada, actually.
I am glad you survived. So onto V, what is the feeling among the cast and crew after the four-month hiatus? I know you guys had great ratings the first four episodes, but is anyone worried that the audience might drop off?
Yes, among the cast and crew. I don't know what the producers and network and studio are thinking -- it might be different but it's a very competitive world out there. I think we are pretty optimistic. I think we are putting out really good shows. The scripts have been fantastic. The cast has been very excited about the story lines. We are optimistic. At least I am.
ABC has been pretty outspoken about their decision to schedule V in "pods" so that the show feels more like event television than a weekly series. Does that meant that the last nine episodes will be broken up?
You know, I have no idea. I don't know. I just know that -- I can't even answer that. I just know that for the fans and even for myself, it's nice to continue through but I guess ABC has their reason for the pods. A fan came up to me at the airport and said, "God, I can't wait for the show to come back on. Don't wait for so long to do it again." And I understand that. It's a compliment because they love our show, but I have no idea what the strategy is with the network's scheduling.
You also got a new executive producer after the first four episodes. How much did that affect the rhythm of the show for the actors?
Well, it didn't really. Before I came to Vancouver this summer, Scott Rosenbaum talked to me about where he wanted to take the show and it was exciting. I think the first four episodes really established a lot. A lot of information about why the V was showing up was conveyed and we were able to introduce these characters. Now that we are back, there is going to be a new pace, a fast rhythm and higher stakes. The characters are there for a reason and we have established a small group of resistance. So I think Scott Rosenbaum has done a beautiful job of doing both -- really establishing the characters and getting an understanding of where they come from, where they have been and also where they are going. But the clock is ticking, and there will be a huge reveal at the end of each episode going forward -- kind of a "wow" moment -- that the fans are going to love.
Science fiction is such an ambitious genre for television, creating this atmosphere where disbelief can be suspended by actors and the people at home watching. How is that reflected in the atmosphere on set?
Well, we have two stages that we are working on. One stage is a complete green-screen stage. I don't really spend a lot of time over there being that I play Father Jack, but the technology has gotten so incredible. You stand by the monitor and you will be able to see, even though there is nothing on the stage, what the room will look like for viewers. So it's not as left up to the imagination as you would think. It's great for the actors and directors to be able to see where we are going. What I think we have done in a wonderful way this season is balance the seriousness of the conflict and the stakes with levity -- there is really a human element and a humor to the show which is nice.
Speaking of levity, what kind of rodent carnage can viewers expect in the next couple episodes?
[Laughs] Stay tuned.
You have a lot of sci-fi experience on your resume. How much of that was a conscious decision -- "I really like acting in these kinds of projects" versus typecasting?
Well, it started with the Steven Spielberg [miniseries] Taken and after we did that -- which was a great experience on an Emmy-winning show -- and then my agent sent me the script for 4400, and it was sort of sci-fi based and I said,"I have kind of gone there already." He said, "Well, why don't you just read it?" It turned out to be a great read and I liked the character drama in it. And then the creator of that show was writing V and he called me one day and he said, "Would you read this thing?", and I did, and I liked it because I like what he does. And Scott Peters is a wonderfully creative writer and a really great character-development writer. I read it and I loved it and went into the meeting so it kind of fell into my lap.
How did you get to Los Angeles from Minnesota?
That's a great question. I went to a play in Minneapolis. I saw Death of a Salesman, and I loved it and I was moved in my seat and I thought, "Wow, how do these actors make me feel what I feel?," and I was very interested in it. One of the actors that was in the play was teaching a class, and I was so nervous and terrified that I just watched in class for months and months and then finally put a scene together. I got up in front of the class and I just kind of went from there. It was an odd way of stepping into acting, and then I figured that I had to be in New York or L.A. if I was going to pursue this career. So I went to L.A., and I got a job and another job and it just kind of went on from there. I am very fortunate.
And you were on the United States of Tara in some of the most pivotal scenes of the first season as Tara's psychologist. Do you know if you'll be returning to the show?
I have been asked about that. I have not gotten a call from anybody but the creators and I have had a conversation about the possibility but there are no immediate plans. It's a good show, isn't it?
It is. The second season is getting really good too.
[Toni] is unbelievable to watch -- I think one of the most impressive people I have ever watched on set. Obviously, she is playing all those characters but she is without
any negative thought. She goes from one moment to the next, and even if she makes a mistake she is in the moment of playing. It's really quite wonderful to watch something like that.
Is there any truth to the rumor that your father-in-law, William Shatner, will guest star on V later this season?
That's a rumor -- he's too busy. He's got too many things going on, but who knows what the future holds?