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HBO: So the last time you started, like in the middle of the summer. You kept growing as an actor. How many people caught this kind of development?


B.D. WONG: Well, I think people respond to it because it's not like anything else that's on television. Network or cable. And I think that people are always looking for something that's totally different from what, catches their eye when they're looking around for something really interesting to watch. It also is really painfully honest. And poetic. And real. In a really theatrical way. And I think that people respect that. I think the writing is excellent. And I think that people respond to the quality of it. So there's a lot of elements that, that don't surprise me that people really like.


HBO: Yeah.


B.D. WONG: It has a really incredible cast. It has really good actors in it. It's written top of the line. And it's really interesting.


B.D. WONG: Tom, you can't get much better than Tom Fontana. So, I think he's really thrilled that he can do and say whatever he wants.


HBO: How do you think season two is going to be different? What's gonna happen?


B.D. WONG: I find, in my own personal experience on this show, that coming back is incredibly um, and I feel much more relaxed. And that the atmosphere is much more, um, I guess when you come back to something that's really successful, you have a new sense of relaxation and creativity. And the show reflects that. The lighting of the new episodes reflects a relaxation. And a lot of the characters are really established. You know really interesting creative things are happening with them. You don't want to say too much, to give it away. But I think it's really getting better and better.


HBO: Without giving away too much, what happens? Like how do you think things shape up after the riot?


B.D. WONG: Well, after the riot, first of all, the main suspense of the riot, of course, was, what happens to the key individuals after the riot. Who, you know, even just as simple as who survived and who didn't survive the riot. Apart from that, what happens to Oz, and what happens to the program, and what happens to McMannis. And his, you know, kind of child, you know, after, which is his creation of Oz. After the riot. Is really interesting. And even from episode to episode, I'm finding out new things.


HBO: Without being too specific with it, you could, could you give a little suggestive maybe of something that we will see?


B.D. WONG: Yeah. Let me think for a second. Let me just get into it specifically and think for a second about what it is that's happening. [PAUSE] I think one of the great things about it is how the character, you know, how nobody ever responds in a way in which you expect them to. Or where their character doesn't develop in a way in which you would expect. So everything's unexpected. And the, the characters, like, you know, the most intense characters, like Beecher and Alvarez, they're the real hard core. They're mates. Are going on these journeys. That are totally believable you can never have predicted what was going to happen. I don't want to say too much about what they're doing, but it's amazing to me. That the writing can be so creative. And yet, so brutally honest at the same time.


HBO: Now, this week you guys have been literally been to work with Kathy Bates?


B.D. WONG: Mm-hmm.


HBO: And when I heard she's directing people that I was surprised. Because they don't really think of her as a director. But I was just wondering what your experiences with her were? What's she like? I mean, she seems great? She seems like a wonderful director.


B.D. WONG: One of the most, one of the great aspects of doing this show, from my point of view, and I think from most of the actors' point of views, is the diversity of the directors. New directors are always constantly coming in, and we get to experience all these person's different sensibilities, and, different kinds of creative people, and what they can do with a show like this, which is very creative is very interesting. Most recently, there have been actors that have directed the show. Bob Ballaban directed a show a couple of weeks ago. And I'm a huge fan of his. And so, working with him, as a director, with a director/actor relationship was incredible to me. I mean, his talent as an actor is really easily used as a director. And it, and it really helped my work. Immensely. This week, Kathy Bates is directing the, the show. It's an awesome experience for me. There's nobody really better than her. I was not surprised that she was directing a show. The things that make her a great actress are the things that make her a great director. It's always been a really great thing for actors when a director understands them and can deal with them as an actor, and communicate with them as an actor. I have found those relationships with those directors on this show much more fun than others.


HBO: Have you ever worked with her before?


B.D. WONG: I've never worked with her before. I met her briefly. I've always loved her. And I've loved her as a person. Somebody that you just kind of want to work with, not because of what you know about them, but just the feeling that you get from them. She's just really fun to be around, and easy going. And seems to understand the process and the show. And seems to love being here. And loves being with the actors. It's been really great. It's really great for the morale of the cast, and for the feeling on the set when someone so confident and accomplished comes on to that. It helps the feeling of a show being so successful. It really is incredible.


HBO: How do you think being on HBO at the time, and what is that doing for the show?


B.D. WONG: Well, the show, the show couldn't be done anywhere else than HBO, I don't think. I think that's one of the great things about the show. And one of the great things about HBO. It's really no holds barred. And think people are going to respect HBO for allowing that. And for green lighting that. And for giving Tom that freedom. Because it is only with that freedom that Tom is going to be able to create this world and draw people into it. And suck people, really, into it, in a really addictive way. I mean, I think people are affected by the show and, and can't get enough of the show, you know? And get so focused on it. People that would never think that they were that kind of person really love this show, and I think that has to do with the fact that HBO has allowed anything to happen. Anything, anywhere. Including the use of film directors as directors in the movie.


HBO: How does it feel to like stay at home, and appreciate it from, you know, just like a viewer?


B.D. WONG: Well, it's hard to do that. I mean, it's not always easy to totally divorce yourself from the fact that you're a part of it. But the story, it's a very deceptively addictive show. The story lines and the drama of the show are really compelling, like watching a building on fire, or something like that. There's this kind of morbid terrific fascination. Which is just palpable. And it's so much more palpable on this show than on any other show that I've ever experienced. And at the same time, you kind of judge yourself for having that fascination. I think you watch it and you kind of wonder wow, what is it? What's twisted and awful about me that makes me want to see this? Or, let's go on to know more about these people, and get into them.




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