When you’re doing it, the whole world turns on it, and it matters more than anything in the world to me. But then when it’s over, it’s, it’s like vapor. So I feel very detached from it. As an audience member, it feels like I’m watching somebody else.
In the months since you wrapped, have you stayed in touch with the cast?
I haven’t, really. We’ll always have, uh, having shared this experience. But the truth is, when you work on movies, you become very close to people and you share something very intimate, and then when it’s done, you know, the circus kind of folds up its tents and leaves town, and you’re kind of back to your life. I feel connected to everyone, but in a way, my involvement and my work finished on March 1st in Barbados.
The kitchen scene seems like a fun way to have ended.
It was, it was! I loved doing that scene, and it’s rare that I didn’t feel an obligation as an actor to carry a tremendous weight with me into any scene. The characters were at ease, and [Kendall was] enjoying the company of his brother and sister. And my God, they put the nastiest shit you can possibly imagine into that blender! So every take, I had to go outside and retch and then jump in the ocean to reset. But it was fun.
You actually drank what they put in that blender?
I guess my feeling is, I would not be committed enough to what that character wants in that moment if I didn’t drink that thing. She’s saying, “we’ll give this to you if you drink this thing.” So —yeah, that’s just me. Mark [Mylod] knew at a certain point he had to call cut, because if he didn’t call cut, I’m gonna do it, you know?
Brian Cox said he gets people on the street coming up to him and saying, “Fuck off.” Do you have people come up to you who are sort of worried about Ken?
This character invites all kind of responses from people. Some people think he’s cringeworthy, and despicable or pitiable because he’s quite vulnerable. And then there’s other people who I think embrace that vulnerability and fallibility, and care for him. It’s a bit of a litmus test, actually—it tells you a lot about how people respond. I get: “Is he okay? Are you okay?”
Are you okay?
I am okay. This is just a character.
There’s a thread in the show about masculinity and will to power. Kendall is always trying to find his own version of how to be a man.
I remember going to the writers’ room in Brixton six years ago or something, and seeing all the note cards on the wall. And at the very top was this question of: can you escape legacy? Does it define you? And by escaping it, are you still defined by it? So I think he is trying to attain a version of manhood or personhood. He’s trying to individuate, I think, in a certain way, but he has never been able to escape the tractor beam of his father. I wanted for him so badly to get on that boat with Naomi Pierce and just leave it all. But he couldn’t do that.
Joy Press
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