Answers with Christopher Backus

Answer 1

TV Guide magazine proclaimed Deliverance Creek as one of fall TV's top 10 must see shows. How does it feel be part of a show that's drawing that kind of reaction from critics?

It's quite exciting! My fellow cast mates and I are all extremely proud of the finished product and had a feeling that we were making something very special from day one. But honestly we had no idea we'd receive such positive reaction, we just hoped that people would respond the way we did. So when a publication of TV Guide's stature, singles out our show, you can't help but feel humbled and a unique sense of gratification and honor. Especially in the medium of television where there are so many wonderful and unique shows on a wide variety of platforms so to have Deliverance Creek mentioned in those terms of "must see shows" you can't help but smile!

Answer 2

How did you snag the role of Jasper in the much buzzed about TV movie, Deliverance Creek, scheduled to premiere September 13th?

I feel very fortunate to have snagged such a monumental character in Jasper. He's just one of those larger than life roles you dream about and the first time I opened up Melissa Carter's brilliant script he just jumped off the page. He is such a strong, complex and morale intriguing character that is hell-bent on shaking up the country. I knew right away I wanted to jump into his skin and was fortunate enough to go in and read for the most amazing casting duo of Junie Lowry-Johnson and Libby Goldstein. Who always put together the perfect puzzle of cast members to compliment the director's vision.

And in the case of Deliverance Creek, I actually went in for a couple of different roles at first, but through the process kind of settled into the role of Jasper. Whether it was our amazing director Jon Amiel or Melissa or Junie & Libby I think I just became Jasper and honestly am so that it worked out that way as I loved every moment of being Jasper Gatlin from the first time I read to the last day of shooting. Hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to see Jasper evolve further in future episodes.

Answer 3

What can you tell us about your character Jasper?

Jasper Gatlin is a Southern Gentleman, a Confederate Bushwhacker, a vindicator of the rebel cause who has accepted and flies under the Blag Flag as emblem of the changing world. Jasper's sole objective becomes to rain terror on the Union troops who have torn his world apart. And as his world is undone by the Civil War and any thought of living out a life in peace stripped away he turns his focus to a life as outside conventional boundaries and accepts his role as an outlaw.

A great line delivered by Paul Newman in the film HUD when he says, "I've always viewed the law in a lenient manner. Sometimes I lean to one side and sometimes I lean to the other" just hit home when I thought of who Jasper was as I begin to form his skin. As I think that is the line Jasper toes, but not in a convenient self-serving way but instead it's his cross to bear in his fight for vengeance in the war but also for his family. But I hope, and I think you'll see Jasper proves to be flexible and progressive in his thoughts and I think that is what makes him the leader of the Gatlin Gang. He proves to be smart, and commanding but without the unnecessary brutality in a world filled with it. He's just a marvelously crafted character.

Answer 4

Was there anything you did to make your role your own that wasn't originally scripted for you?

I was very fortunate that Melissa crafted Jasper so well that I didn't have to do much off the page. I know a few lines here and there I changed to fit Jasper's way of speaking but Melissa and Jon fortunately trusted me that I would veer too far off the original message we were trying to convey.

I had a strong sense of who Jasper was and they trusted that I was Jasper so if I did change something it was all very fluid. I think one of the things we all went back and forth on was does Jasper have a lady in waiting or is he so inclined to pursue that love interest but I think we all, and I know I did, felt Jasper was a lone-wolf so to speak. Singularly focused on his mission and that nothing would stand in his way.

I think it'll be interesting to see who he's drawn to moving forward. I was very involved in the look of Jasper, I had a strong sense of what Jasper wore; from his boots, and hat to the revolvers he carried. I even insisted on wearing red socks every day as I read that Jesse James wore red sock in allegiance to the confederacy until the day he died and I felt that Jasper followed that same loyalty. Although it's not something you ever see on film.

Answer 5

Why should Answers users tune in to the two-hour show this Saturday?

I think Deliverance Creek is unique in that it is a Civil War Western told from a female perspective and I'm not sure how many times we've seen that and yet it's not just for a female audience. It is quite male-centric as it has all the elements that make Westerns what they are: the outlaws, the horses, the guns, revenge, murder, robbery and betrayal. I think people will be surprised at how edgy, hard-hitting this story is. Obviously Nicholas Sparks has his immensely talented fingerprints all over this material and nobody does love stories like Mr. Sparks and Deliverance Creek has those elements but in a way that's never been done before. It's the Civil War and romance isn't the top priority, it's survival and that brings intensity to relationships.

I think by watching Deliverance Creek you get a feeling of what it was like in these border towns where the enemy wasn't just Yankee unionists, but your neighbor. You had to eye all with suspicion and that level of tension left towns unsettled and had consequences that shaped all of these characters lives. This isn't your typical show, with Lifetimes & Nicholas Sparks pushing us to be go further, to hit hard and just go for it. To show the world what it was like, and with our tremendous director Jon Amiel pushing us forward. I think we punch through that wall and made something truthful and gritty and authentic.

Also the cast is remarkable and the performances are truly beautiful and powerful. I can honestly say there is something for all viewers: Female, Male it doesn't matter, it's just a good ride and as tension rises I think everyone will find themselves at the edge of their seats!

Answer 6

What's one thing that will surprise viewers about Deliverance Creek?

Deliverance Creek is full of surprises, and turns that I think will keep viewers on the edge of their seats with powerful turns by Lauren Ambrose and the rest of the fabulous cast. But I think the biggest surprise of all is how we tackled the bank robbery. It's not the typical western way of storming a bank, guns blazing. It's still loaded with tension both with the personal stakes but also the way Jon Amiel crafted the tension both inside and out of the bank and he lets the tension creep with a slow boil until it's burning white hot. It's riveting and intense. But overall, Deliverance Creek is a hard-hitting western, that pushes the boundaries and explores large themes of living in a border town under siege and the devastation that war leaves in its wake.

Answer 7

Best-selling author Nicholas Sparks makes his television debut as executive producer of Deliverance Creek. What was it like working with such an iconic storyteller such as Nicholas Sparks?

Working with Nicholas Sparks is a dream. He is clearly one of the best storytellers of this generation and his passion for his projects is off the charts. With all his success, he still remains clearly passionate about the art of telling a story and that rings vividly in his involvement.

I think what is so unique about his involvement in Deliverance Creek is he looking toward empowering other creative forces in the literary world and his belief in our writer Melissa Carter is a testament to the material we were given to play with. She's crafted such rich characters and stakes, which gave all of us actors so much room to breathe life into our roles and Nicholas Sparks's insight, is invaluable. I mean nobody does love stories better than Nicholas Sparks, and Deliverance Creek no doubt has those elements which is why I think he joined the project as an Executive Producer. What's genius about it is he's tackling new arenas and has trusted and supported Melissa's vision of depicting the furtive worn torn battleground of the Civil War as the core of the story. It's dark, gritty and filled with vengeance and it's exciting to be a part of this new venture in Nicholas Sparks' career where nobody knows what's going to happen next.

It's a new world and I think we're blowing through expectations and pushing the boundaries of storytelling with Deliverance Creek. I'm really proud to be a part of a project with Nicholas Sparks!

Answer 8

What's your favorite scene in the show?

I loved every moment of being Jasper Gatlin, he was a dream to bring to life. I think my favorite scene personally is the scene when I shave my beard outside on the deck while challenging Belle (Lauren Ambrose) to take stock in what the world has become and where we as a family are headed and that everything we were is gone and that I taking my place at the front of this new world whether she comes with me or not. To me it had such weighty turn, in the way it was crafted - the shedding of the beard was symbolic to Jasper's acceptance to his new way of life and fully accepting his place amongst the outlaws who flew under the Black Flag. Anarchy will reign in his rapidly changing world and he's now accepted his place in the center of this new order with before he meets his maker he'll shake up the country as a rebel vindicator. That was my favorite scene!

Answer 9

Have you always been a fan of Westerns?

I think it's every actors dream to be in a western, to ride horses and carry multiple six-shooters on your belt. It's in our DNA, as a young boy you inevitably find yourself playing some form of cowboys and Indians in your back yard with your mates. So as an adult, those memories rush to the surface--except now you've got all the accoutrement that make it so real! Not to mention the fact that my father was a huge fan of the Western genre and I remember watching the old John Wayne and Clint Eastwood films with him. It's one of the lasting memories I have when he was alive, so in some strange way I feel this connection with him by being allowed to play in that playground and creating my own version of those classical characters that he loved so much. So yeah, I have a special affinity for the Western Genre!

Answer 10

How committed are you to getting into the characters you portray? Do you have any techniques that help you channel the characters you are playing?

I'm extremely committed to each character I take on, an almost obsessive desire to find the skin that I will live in. I strive to lose as much of myself in the character but at the same time my choices are based on my own views and personality and that gets tailored to what is on the page. It's my favorite part of being an actor is crafting these individual character and stepping outside myself and allowing me to be someone else.

Each role I've had the opportunity to take on continues to live inside me even after we've finished and I wear that badge of honor everyday. While each role has a different set of techniques that I use, that all start from the question of what makes this person tick. What drives him, what motivates him and that's always different. I am also a heavy researcher, so anything I can read to help inform me of the times or the lifestyle I'll use that information to help inform my choices.

Then the technique kicks in, and I've been very fortunate and blessed to have learned most of what I know about acting and the art that it is from my incredibly generous and loving father in law Paul Sorvino who really is just a father to me. He's given me an incredible toolbox to work with and overtime I've learned to access those tools. And as I apply those techniques he's taught me to create the inner workings of my new characters personality, I then start finding the physicality of the character from his walk to his look, which is the last piece of the puzzle, but still important to making him fully formed. It's sort of like a baking a cake, I guess, the cake isn't quite complete until you put on the frosting, then you can put it on the shelves to be seen.