Lucas Bryant on the Season Finale of "Haven"

By Jamie Ruby

Lucas BryantBased on Stephen King's The Colorado Kid, Haven follows FBI agent Audrey Parker, played by Emily Rose, as she comes to the town of Haven and partners with local cop Nathan Wuornos, played by Lucas Bryant. The town is full of odd occurances, all stemming from many of the people of the town who have what they call "troubles." They must try to keep the town safe as they try to find out who Audrey really is.

The series' second season came to a close on Friday with "Sins of the Father." In the episode the dead rise up to settle problems and in many cases get revenge. In the episode more information is revealed about the roles people play in the town. Audrey and Nathan also continue to deal with their growing relationship. Tahmoh Penikett and Nicholas Campbell guest star.

Star Lucas Bryant recently talked to the digital media about the series and the season finale.

Syfy Conference Call
Haven
Lucas Bryant

September 27, 2011
3:00 pm CT

Lucas BryantSCIFI VISION: How are you feeling about how Audrey and Nathan's relationship is changing?

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, well it's been a long time coming, huh?

And yes it is exciting. 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 yes I think that puts us on a trajectory that has potential to be lovely, but will probably inevitably be very difficult and potentially dangerous.

SCIFI VISION: With a lot of the people that are troubled, it seems like once they end up with the person they are meant to be with, their trouble sometimes goes away. Do you think that's why Nathan can feel Audrey? Because they're meant for each other?

LUCAS BRYANT: Uh-hum. 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. But I hope, I guess it's interesting what you're saying. Like in other cases when people are with the ones they're meant to be with, that sort of negates their troubles. And I guess that speaks to the fact that trouble sort of manifests - there's a stressor that manifests them.

And so I guess if people are happy or content or, you know, keep it mellow, they can sometimes sort of circumvent their afflictions. So 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?

QUESTION: How can we get you to join Twitter?

LUCAS BRYANT: I've been asking myself that same question. I know I just got Emily and Erica to always forward me stuff - petitions to get me on there. And apparently this morning, I was named one of Perez Hilton's sexiest men on TV. I would just like to say yes, I have been telling everyone this for years and finally it came true. I know, I've always known that the Hiltons are a big fan of mine. So that makes perfect sense.

I just hope that it's not a typo, because it's, "Lucas Bryant, one of the most sexist men on TV," that would not be good. But, so I get the Twitter feeds if you will, I get information from the Twit machine. But no I have not done it yet. And I don't know, I'm still on the fence about it, I can't tell you what it's going to be that would make me take the plunge. I'm just you know, I'm like a grandma.

QUESION: Do you watch it? Do you watch your work?

LUCAS BRYANT: Sadly I must admit I watch it, yes. Not sadly, I'm very proud of it. But I really like to watch my stuff over and over. I fast-forward through everyone else.

QUESTION: Your work in last week's episode, when you're at the meeting after Audrey kissed, you're absolute perfection.

LUCAS BRYANT: Oh, thank you. Yes that was a big moment, we really were concerned about getting it right. And I think it landed well, so I'm very happy about that.

QUESTION: Have you seen the finale? The final version of the finale?

LUCAS BRYANT: I have not, no. I don't know if they cut out the whole second half of it yet. I might not even be in the finale at all.

QUESTION: I'm guessing probably you will be, but...

LUCAS BRYANT: I hope so, yes - I'm just going to fast-forward through the whole episode.

QUESTION: Will it be a cliffhanger?

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, there are some definite cliffhangers. I mean, it would be nice to say that everything is revealed and they figure out how to end the troubles, and everyone lives happily ever after. But we want to do another ten seasons.

No, I mean you get some great answers, learn some crazy stuff. And we'll see if people think that it's as rug-pulling as the season one finale was. But there's definitely some huge - some big precipitous - precipitous is not the right word. Like a precipice - like a big, big wall, cliff. Yes, at the end.

QUESTION: Do you know what might be in store for season three?

LUCAS BRYANT: I don't. I have completely given up trying to get my head around what the heck is going on here. There's stuff that they want to keep from us. But then there's also - I don't necessarily want to know the things that Nathan doesn't know. I enjoy discovering it as we go, as he does.

So I don't know, no. I mean I hear some rumblings about potential storylines, but then I imagine those will all change as well in the writers' room as they hash things out. So no, I'm as clueless as you. Not to suggest that you're clueless, no.

QUESTION: What do you think about working at SyFy? Are you enjoying it, are you planning on doing more? Or do you prefer...comedy?

LUCAS BRYANT: Well, sure I would love to do comedy. I would love to do noir, I'd love to do everything. But I'm absolutely having a blast doing sci fi. And I suppose it is that genre, but I don't feel like - we're not running around in space suits every week. And it is a pretty human story. So I feel like it's pretty universal themes. Yes, there's all sorts of weirdness going on, but I don't feel stuck in any particular genre, it feels, I think it's very cool. I'm proud of its weirdness.

I'm talking with Syfy now about doing other stuff for them and with them. And I would - I'm definitely open to any and all possibilities within and outside of the genre. I'm just an actor and I love to do it all.

QUESTION: I was going to ask if you were going to be doing anymore for Syfy.

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, the network is really a fantastic place to be. They do take care of their own, and so there are some opportunities there that I'm definitely looking forward to.

QUESTION: How does the dynamic between Audrey and Chris impact the way Nathan feels about her?

LUCAS BRYANT: Oh, yes well I suppose, as I'm sure you've noticed, Nathan is never too sure of himself. And so I guess that was just an example of what can happen when you wait. So I think things that have taken place over the last couple of episodes, have forced him to be a bit more forthcoming about where he stands and forced him to address how he feels about her. And I think that's a good place for him to be because he's a pleasure to play.

He's wrestling with asserting himself, and being forthcoming, and the general effect that she's had on him which is to push him to man up and so it's really fun to be a sort of long uncomfortable guy, trying to step up.

QUESTION: Well since we see a shot of Nicholas Campbell in the preview, can you talk a bit about where Nathan's at, and where he winds up at the end of the season?

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, right. I guess that's been leaked, hasn't it, by Syfy themselves. Yes, we get to see the chief or some version thereof in the second season finale. And thank God, I mean 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. But yes that's - well I don't know that, I mean 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's going to be large ramifications from it, which we won't necessarily come to understand until, God willing, season three, four or five. So 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?

QUESTION: What's it like to work in Nova Scotia for the last couple of years.

LUCAS BRYANT: So you know from L.A. it's not an easy commute. Not that I go home to L.A. every day after work, thank God. But I realize I could live in Germany and commute to Halifax more easily than I can from L.A. So just specifically getting there is a haul, and I think that's something that serves the show well. We're an hour down the South Shore from Halifax, mostly around the Chester area. And so we feel really removed from all other parts of our regular life.

And I think that's a perfect ingredient to the remoteness that is Haven, you know. It is another world there. It's a beautiful, tiny little town. I grew up in a small town and Ontario, so I sort of have a love/hate relationship with small towns. But I must say, I've enjoyed being in Chester because I have a three-year-old daughter now. And so she cruises around and has swimming lessons and a bunch of great little friends. And we get ice cream every day, and it's sort of Norman Rockwell, you know? Sit and watch the boats, so that's really fantastic.

But yet just that feeling of all being apart and away together, there's 100 of - I mean more than that. There's a number of people camped out there, it really feels like I said before, it still feels like it's summer camp for big kids. We're all away from home, hanging out together, doing this weird thing. And so you really do form a key sense of community and family, and it's just a pleasure and honor to be a part of. And then the community itself is so welcoming and great with us, it's amazing.

Lucas BryantQUESTION: What keeps challenging you about the role of Nathan?

LUCAS BRYANT: Oh wow. Well I guess - like I was saying before, I guess one of the most fun and challenging things to do is explore how he progresses as a man when he has so many socially awkward issues. On the one hand he's totally comfortable in his role and relationships in the town. People I think have generally a good feeling about him. And he's a good guy, but he's not terribly excellent at expressing himself.

And so any time that Nathan's put in an awkward situation or often with Duke or with women or with his emotions, that is a real pleasure and challenge to work through.

QUESTION: What is your favorite and least favorite characteristic of his?

LUCAS BRYANT: Favorite and least favorite. Well, yes that does play into what I was saying. I like the fact that he's terribly reserved and somewhat uncomfortable in social interactions. But then at the same time, he does have a great and sort of strange sense of humor, and more quirky and weird personality than we get to see all the time. Like his terrible dancing ability, which that was totally ridiculous to shoot and even more awkward to watch, but that was a lot of fun. That might also be my least favorite of Nathan's characteristics, his terrible dancing.

But no I don't, you know, there's no part of him. I guess maybe what some viewers experience, sometimes I just want him to pull the trigger. Not literally, but it's like, man do something, tell her, do it, kiss her, step forward, you know, punch him, whatever. I mean he's still sort of fighting them in self-imposed handcuffs.

QUESTION: If you could give Nathan one piece of advice, what would it be?

LUCAS BRYANT: Stop worrying so much and just go for it, man. And I guess that's what happened a little bit at the end of 11, right? When he has that realization and he's at the meeting, and he says to Vincent Dwight that sometimes taking risks pays off. So hopefully he learns that lesson, and that's not just a moment of fleeting feeling for him. Because I think if we get to see him taking a lot more risks, that would be first of all dramatically exciting and then a lot of fun for me to play. But also great for him as a character.

QUESTION: Playing a character who can't feel anything, are there any specific things you have to do in your performance to convey that? What is it that you've added to that performance to convey that and make it so believable?

LUCAS BRYANT: Well, thank you for saying that. 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.

Now I guess 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, and you're in it. And it starts to seep into your being in your regular life to. 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. And I mean it just becomes much to my wife's (chagrin) sometimes, and other people are like, Jesus, you know, when she's trying to have a conversation with me, and I'm giving monotonous monosyllabic answers.

She's like, "You got to stop doing that show." But, it's always like the - 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 reveling in what that's like to feel after not having that feeling for so long. So I just try and find every opportunity that I can. Whether it's just bumping into doorframes as you pass them or pressing pencils too hard into my forearm.

Just to give sort of physical indications of that affliction. And then I think that it just happens after awhile, it's just second nature. Like this character, the emotional distance that the physical distance forces just in his interactions with people in general. That just kind of starts happening, the stand-offish and awkward physicality. I don't know, that was sort of a long winded strange response. Does that make any sense to you?

QUESTION: In the scene Dwight saved Nathan, and Dwight said, "Well let's (find me)," it looked like you were about to crack up. Can you tell us a bit about that scene?

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, well first of all I must say after watching this whole season so far, Adam Copeland, otherwise known as WWE Superstar Edge, is fantastic and I could not be any happier with the fact that he's joined our cast. He is a really, really – to use a California word, an awesome guy. And a total sweetheart, very professional. I think his work has been fantastic. And people are so into his character and his performance, he's a blast. So that said, working with him has been a total pleasure.

And yes I thought that scene, Nathan doesn't have many buddies, and very few opportunities to have this sort of...moment with another guy. So both Adam and I were thinking - looking for ways to really make that connection. And I think I wanted to communicate in an honest sense, how funny I do think that trouble is. I mean it's totally ridiculous. He is a bullet magnet. I mean it's a bit silly, and dangerous. And then in the episode where we're chasing the (Windigos) in the woods and I say to him initially, like, dude well you can't come with us?

Like everyone's got guns. You're going to - yes, that's going to be lovely. So basically you're going to turn all of our weapons into completely useless devices ini;'[ our hands that will only kill you. Thanks. So yes I was about to crack up, and I think he played it perfectly too, with this sort of like, yeah man I know, it's kind of ludicrous, but this is what I'm dealing with. So I think it's if you saw me about the crack up, you're absolutely right, because I was.

QUESTION: How would you describe Nathan's relationship with Duke? It's a very complicated relationship.

LUCAS BRYANT: 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. I mean we know something about their complicated history, but there's a really great reveal in the season finale that doesn't explain fully their relationship, but gives a lot more insight into why it is what it is. And I have such a blast (with him myself where is) total asshole, no I don't want to say that.

He'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. And 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, is I think going to add a lot more weight to that relationship.

QUESTION: What do you think intimidates Nathan or scares him about pursuing a relationship with Audrey?

LUCAS BRYANT: 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.

SCIFI VISION: Is it hard for you and Eric to go through scenes without laughing?

LUCAS BRYANT: No. Actually, yes. The two of us get along quite well and screw around a lot in our real lives. So when we get to play together on screen, it's a blast. And especially this year I think everyone was a lot more comfortable in their roles and a lot more comfortable in the show. And so that was probably to the chagrin of the producers and directors occasionally.

There were a lot more laughs this year than we had in the first season, and it took us a lot more time to get things done. We'll try to be a bit more professional next year. But at the same time, I mean it's a blast to have such great people that would play around with every day too.

SCIFI VISION: Is there something specific that you would like to see happen for Nathan, if you could write his story?

LUCAS BRYANT: I would like to see his house. I don't know if that's going to happen, but I'd like to see a bit more of his home life, if he has one. What that home is. Is it just the tent that he pitched on the back of the police station? Does he have like a large locker that he sleeps in at the police station? Does he live in a cabin in the woods? Does he have a trailer that's on the coast, you know? Yes, I'd like to see a bit more of that.

But story-wise, well like I was saying before, if he could just step up and risk taking more risks, I think he's got a lot of potential, power and danger and anger and good love if he could just step things up, that would be lovely. And I guess that would also include seeing his home. Because I want to know more about who the guy is when he's just chilling.

Lucas BryantQUESTION: What is something your fans would be surprised to know about you?

LUCAS BRYANT: I don't think there's any more surprises. I mean Balfour and Emily outing me on Twitter all the time, like posting dance videos of us, I think everyone knows all my embarrassing stuff so far. Surprised to know about me? I guess - well I don't know if people would be surprised, but I guess one of the biggest differences between me and Nathan is that I am nowhere near as serious and monosyllabic as he is.

My voice is a little bit higher and more expressive. I think when I meet people who've just seen the show they'll often say, wow you smile a lot more than - it's weird to see Nathan, well sorry, you're not Nathan, but it's weird to see you smiling so much, and waving your arms around so much. So there you go, there's your big surprise. I wave my arms around a lot.

QUESTION: When you're doing the show, do you ad lib much, or is it just off the script?

LUCAS BRYANT: I wouldn't say much, but yes we do. And definitely more this year than last year which plays into I think just because [we're] that much more [comfortable]. And also the writers gave us more freedom this year. They said if we do a version where we get the dialogue as written, stick to the script, I think they've trusted us to play around with it a little bit as well.

If we find things in the moment that we think are funny or might be interesting, then go for it. And I've been really happy to see that, in the end they've been keeping a lot of that stuff.

QUESTION: What have you learned about yourself from this experience so far?

LUCAS BRYANT: Myself, well I'm just kind of like a block of wood. I don't learn very much.

No, it's been interesting. I guess going into this I thought, well first of all it's fantastic to be - just honored to be a part of the show, and able to do now two full seasons and hopefully many more of this show as an actor. Just being in front of the camera and getting to play with your friends in a comfortable, creative environment is so rewarding. And you learn so much about your artists in that way.

But I guess what's been most interesting for me are the lessons that I didn't necessarily foresee. And they're simple things, like children's books, important and easy things like what a difference it makes to be a nice guy. Or how important it is to make people feel comfortable and welcome. Visiting actors on the set, how that can hugely positively affect the product. And so it's kind of like going back to preschool, like the big lessons I'm learning now are those simple, bottom line Ten Commandment things.

And I'm just realizing how important and easy that can be. Not like, hey I have to be this serious professional prick all the time, who takes myself incredibly seriously, especially now that I'm on a TV show. But just how important it is to have a good time and treat people well and that everyone benefits from that and including the creative nature of the show.

QUESTION: Have you thought about wearing multiple hats and maybe directing and writing scripts and producing?

LUCAS BRYANT: No, I'm definitely interested in those hats. And hopefully I will get the opportunity. I don't foresee that happening next season, but if we get many more of this creative team that's been very open to that - to those possibilities, and that's a great thing about doing a show - a cable show as well. There are other opportunities to expand your career, and that's something that I definitely am looking to take advantage of. I would love to be able to direct an episode eventually.

QUESTION: Is there any particular scene that you shot this season where you say, "Yes, this is why I do what I do?"

LUCAS BRYANT: That's interesting. I guess there's all sorts of scenes that I've said that for different reasons. But definitely one of the highlights is coming in the finale, the scene with the chief was really such a pleasure. Because he, Nick Campbell, is a giant of stage and screen. In Canada for sure, and then I know that he also has many fans in the States. But to be able to work with him is such a huge honor and thankfully it's just such a beautiful scene and to have him back after being out of the season for so long, it really was special.

QUESTION: Is there a characteristic of Nathan's that's so complex that it took time for you to adjust?

LUCAS BRYANT: Well, sure. I guess the overall characteristic of being reserved, someone that doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve. It's strange, because he kind of does in many nonverbal ways. So it was that, how to communicate the heart and soul of this guy [who] was so unwilling or unable to communicate it verbally. And I think that just came with trust and experimentation. And then seeing it back and then after a while you're like yes, this guy does make sense.

So now I think it's a much more comfortable thing to portray. But going into the second season when we started shooting the first episode, I remember thinking, "Aww man, what was this guy like to begin with?" I just stand still and that's him? I just stand still and speak in simple sentences and very quietly and I'll be him again? I remember being a bit nervous about that. But as soon as I did, I was like "Oh yes, there he is."

QUESTION: Okay, and the last question, Haven is actually based on [Stephen King, which is your favorite] novel or favorite film?

LUCAS BRYANT: Misery I guess, both novel and film, I just like how twisted and simple that story is.

QUESTION: Do you think if there was a remake, would you take on [one of the roles]?

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, I would be Kathy Bates. Just for versatility.

SCIFI VISION: If you remember the episode somebody looked at this girl they were scared to death...

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, I think it was "Fear and Loathing."

SCIFI VISION: Oh yes, that's right. Do you think they'll ever tell us what Nathan saw? Or what do you think he saw?

LUCAS BRYANT: Yes, I know, I know. I don't know actually what he saw, but I do hope that we get to know. But I don't think that will happen for many seasons. And actually I don't have a clue what it is. But I hope that writers, who are much smarter than I am, can bring that one out someday and it will knock all of our socks off. I don't know what it is, but I guess - I think it has something to do either with his childhood and/or his fate.

You know, like a vision, like Duke's, but hopefully not a tattooed guy reaching for me.

SCIFI VISION: If you could pick a trouble or an affliction, like a superpower, what would you choose for yourself and why?

LUCAS BRYANT: Well flying and invisible. I've said this before, I want to be able to fly invisibly. But also be visible, because I'd like to show off too. But I'd like to choose when I could be invisible, so I could just be wherever I wanted and be that fly on the wall too. But be that fly on the wall that could fly.

So can I have two superpowers? Or maybe we could just call it one. It could be flying invisibility. Just one power, okay?

QUESTION: Could you talk a little bit about the stunts and the effects?

LUCAS BRYANT: Sure. Well, this year I didn't have too many crazy stunts. Most of them involved people flying into the water or walk out of the water. Chris Wood, who does our visual effects, I think is totally cool and ridiculously capable. And it's become an act of faith to shoot this stuff in front of a green screen or to imagine something that's not there but we're all getting much more comfortable with just doing it.

Because I think if you think too much about it, then it becomes ridiculous. But if you let your six-year-old mind just pretend, then I've been really happy with how things have been working out. And yes, I like to do as many of my own stunts as they'll let me. But I understand sometimes when they don't, because I've seen how banged up these guys get. And I might like the experience of doing it, but I wouldn't necessarily like the aftermath.

SCIFI VISION: You have another movie coming out, The Vow. Can you talk about that?

LUCAS BRYANT: Oh yes, I play a small role in that movie and The Vow is coming out Valentine's Day 2012, I believe. And yes, a beautiful little quirky, heavy love story between Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum. And that was a blast to do. I shot that just as I was finishing season one of Haven. So I was flying back and forth shooting the finale and shooting that movie. And I just play a little part. But it was really cool to get to play a sort of a weirdo at the same time as I was flying back to Halifax and playing Nathan.

HavenSCIFI VISION: I have a fan question, they wanted to know about your love for teacups. I have no idea, but that's what they asked.

LUCAS BRYANT: My love for teacups?

SCIFI VISION: That's what they asked. I don't know what it meant, but that's what they asked.

LUCAS BRYANT: I'm trying to think.

SCIFI VISION: I figured you would know, but I guess not. I figured you would know what they are talking about, so.

LUCAS BRYANT: Ah-ha, I can't think of it, I don't recall teacups, do they mean teacup poodles?

SCIFI VISION: Maybe, I don't know.

LUCAS BRYANT: I've been having tea parties. My daughter's very into tea parties these days. So we hang out with the teacups. But I can't see, unless they're watching me from that van that's parked around the corner, how they would know about that.

Lucas's love for teacups, I guess that remains something to be seen by Lucas as well.

LUCAS BRYANT: Hey can I say one more thing, or are we done?

I just wanted to say I know you're all aware of this but tomorrow is my birthday. So you can send your gifts to the address that that unmarked van is parked at. And I'm sure I can just walk out there and pick them up, that would be lovely. Thank you. And please, all I want is teacups apparently. So just nice teacups with pictures on them.

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