Answers with Neil Napier

Answer 1

In "Helix" you play Dr. Peter Farragut, the flawed and deeply conflicted brother of Alan Farragut (Billy Campbell). What drew you to audition for this part?

I am generally drawn to characters who have secrets. Peter is a man who struggles with myriad secrets surrounding his past, his actions, and who he is at his core - his fundamental make-up as an individual. He is affected by a deep trench of pain that runs through everything he does, and every decision he makes. As a performer, I find this to be a very attractive challenge.

Answer 2

Do you consider Peter a good or bad guy?

Well, I think that Peter considers himself a good guy, but I am pretty sure that if I were in the situations in which he finds himself, I would make drastically different choices. At least I sure hope I would... :)

Answer 3

For those who haven't tuned into "Helix" yet, how would you convince them to watch it? What makes it different than other sci-fi apocalyptic thrillers out there?

In Helix we find flawed and complex characters (much the way most of us are) forced to deal with extraordinary and sometimes unimaginable circumstances. I think that living through these experiences with the characters gives us as the audience a bit of insight into ourselves, as we ask ourselves how we would cope with some of the moral decisions that have to be made. Also, it is creepy as hell and there is a rich, intricate mythology at play that keeps us guessing at every turn. It is pretty exciting!

Answer 4

This season we've gotten to explore more of the relationship between Peter and Alan. How would you describe Peter's intentions at this point in the season? What's he trying to accomplish?

Well, up to this point in the season we have seen how Alan and Peter's early life together has formed their relationship as adults. Peter definitely has a "second son" complex, and is driven by the need to be recognized as someone of importance. He has spent his entire life in the shadow of his older brother - and they inhabit the same professional sphere! I imagine that over Peter's lifetime the instances of perceived disrespect, the slights and the snubs have piled up like flood waters behind a levee, and that he has a profound need to be seen... to matter. And I think that at this point he will do whatever it takes to accomplish that.

Answer 5

Peter has made it this far by sort of playing for a couple sides at once. Has it finally caught up to him in season 2?

Well, it would seem that the ball of yarn is starting to unravel a bit for him, wouldn't it? I think you will find it interesting to see how Peter deals with that as we move forward...

Answer 6

Season 2 is already taking us on a wild ride filled with twists and turns. What do we have to look forward to in the coming episodes this season? Will our questions be answered?

Indeed it has. And the back half of the season is not going to change at all in that respect; the wild ride will continue. Maybe even get wilder?!! I can assure you that many questions will be answered, and that there may be some more questions raised that will find their answers in subsequent seasons...

Answer 7

Your role has expanded so much since the show started, this season in particular we're starting to learn a lot more about Peter and why he is the way he is. How did you approach playing his character differently this season?

Well, first off, I have not been spewing nearly as much black goo this season! That is a nice change. This year I tried to bring in all that happened to Peter and all that we had learned about him in season 1 and to quietly pack that into a flawed man who is trying to do his best to be the man he hopes he can be. The tragic truth about Peter in the first half of this season is that he finds himself unable to be free of himself - he is too bound to ego.

Answer 8

"Helix" has horribly disgusting special effects and a certain ick factor about it that is sure to frighten. Is the set as spooky as it looks on TV?

We shot this season almost entirely in an old abbey that was inhabited for a century by Trappist monks. It is a beautiful and noble building. It can also be a pretty creepy place to be wandering alone at night... But the real credit goes to Guy Lalande, who is our set designer. He took this grand old place and build within it sets, that will alternatively startle you with their beauty, and send shivers down your spine. One in particular from an upcoming episode evoked a disturbing and visceral reaction in me. You will know it when you see it.

Answer 9

With diverse roles in shows like "The Listener", "Zero Hour", "The Business", and "Blue Mountain State", it's clear you don't limit yourself to one genre. Do you enjoy keeping one foot in dramatic and one foot in the absurd?

I absolutely do. I actually think life in general is a balance between those two concepts... Mostly absurd.

Answer 10

How did you get your start in the world of performance?

I come from a background in athletics; I spent most of the first half of my life on Rugby pitches, football fields and hockey rinks. About 15 years ago, I had a spinal surgery that had me out of commission for a while. During recovery, a friend of mine visited, and in our conversation, he suggested I give stunt work a try. Well, I was not quite fit to actually start training for it, but in the pursuit of that idea, I found the performance. I became absolutely smitten and proceeded to do anything I could to get up on stage or in front of a camera. That passion has not left me. It is a joyous affliction!