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Why Chris Egan identifies with David in NBC's Kings
It's good to save the king's son—or so you'd think.
In Kings, NBC's upcoming contemporary retelling of the biblical tale of King David, a young soldier named David Shepard (Chris Egan) crosses enemy lines to save a soldier. Unbeknownst to David, that soldier is Jack Benjamin (Sebastian Stan), son of King Silas Benjamin (Ian McShane), ruler of Gilboa.
David's actions—and his subsequent interactions with Silas—forever change his life as he suddenly finds himself on the fast track to power, money and romance in a modern-day kingdom.
SCI FI Wire was on the line recently when Egan (Eragon, Resident Evil: Extinction) spoke to reporters in a conference call. Following are edited excerpts from that interview. Kings premieres Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
How well versed were you in the David vs. Goliath story, and what was it that most attracted you to the project and character?
Egan: I was always interested in the story of David growing up. I heard the story in church, and I was always very inspired by the story. Actually, I always imagined, ... it was kind of like a dream to do it, to play David. But I kind of imagined it as a sort of period piece, like a swords-and-sandals piece. But then when I heard that [creator/executive producer] Michael Green had translated it into a modern-day world, I was very interested to see how that would read. So, yes, I was very inspired by the character and to see a story like this come to life. I was happy to go for it.
How did playing opposite Ian McShane help you with the role of David?
Egan: Well, he is just such an incredible guy, and very talented. And I had some pretty sort of frightening stuff to do, some big scenes [with McShane]. I was a fan of his before from watching Deadwood, so I was a little nervous to meet him and just interested to see how it would all work out. Our characters have such an interesting journey together, so it is kind of this love-hate, back-and-forth relationship. And so [McShane], being such a great guy, and just so generous—and he really gave me a lot of great advice—helped me out a lot. So it was a blast working with him.
You mentioned that the story of David always fascinated you and inspired you. Was there ever a point growing up that you felt like you were in a David and Goliath scenario? Maybe with a bully? In your career?
Egan: Yes, well, I always found it fascinating that [in] the story of David and Goliath, this one young man would go out and face this giant. And when there was this army that was so afraid of this giant, he just went out there with five smooth stones and took this guy out with a slingshot. I came to the U.S. when I was 19 years old. And that, to me, felt like a pretty scary transition to come on my own and try to break into Hollywood. So I spoke up very much like a Goliath.
By jtalker1965 at 8:14 AM ON 03/12/09
Is this all NBC has left in there tank? I haven't seen a clip that has reached out to me and said "I must watch" I'll add it to my list of not to watch shows, any reality based shows, anything with Saturday night live shows, Connan O'Brien, Cbs's reality shows, there Sunday night programing (which never airs on time) All of ABC can't really rember the last time I watch anything worth my time there. Once Smallville ends on CW won't be watching anything there.
This is justmy opionion and like it or not can't support the networks anymore. The have lost touch with real world. Not all of us want all sports or reallity shows. What happen?
By DarkHawke at 9:15 AM ON 03/12/09
Sorry you feel that way, jtalker1965, but I'm at least going to give Kings the two-hour pilot before dismissing it. Seems to me that it's one of the most ambitious shows to come out this year. Think of it: a modern, affluent, "Western" nation that's run by an absolute monarch. That's something that doesn't exist, and if handled believably, could be as fascinating a story as any SF/fantasy concept in the last ten years. You at least have to give NBC props for so much as greenlighting this effort, let alone taking it to even a limited series run.
As to your concerns about networks losing touch with the viewing populace and only giving us "reality" shows and other such nonsense, consider that your out-of-hand refusal to watch a show like Kings only reinforces that mindset amoung network programmers. That is, that no one will tune in for dramas that show us something new and different, or that push the envelope of what network TV has been. The more folks who blow off shows like this (or Dollhouse, Firefly, Brimstone, Jericho, insert your own fave cancelled-before-its-time show here) sight unseen, the fewer we're gonna get.
I'm not saying that you should watch it mindlessly just to open the door for shows that you may like later on. I'm also not saying that, having watched the premiere, you shouldn't either critique it or stop watching if you don't find it worth your time. I'm only saying give it a fair shot. Since you say you don't watch Sunday night TV anyway, what's to lose? Unless it's gonna cost you money or take away from time with your loved ones, in which case, sure, that make all kinds of sense. But if not, why not?
And no, GE/NBC/Universal/Sci-Fi didn't pay me to write this! I don't know if Kings will pan out either, but I love genre shows and this looks to be at least interesting and thus worthy of a couple of hours out of my day.
By Heather J. at 9:20 AM ON 03/12/09
I'll have to disagree with the first commenter ... I think this actually looks interesting. It is different than anything else on TV right now (all the CSI-type shows, the cop/psychic shows, reality tv, etc.) and the premise is unusual. I haven't been taken in completely by the previews, but I'm intrigued enough to watch the first episode at least.
By Rafe at 11:12 AM ON 03/12/09
I also disagree with the first commenter. Many TV critics consider the last 10 years to have been some of the best years ever in the history of quality programming. In terms of genre TV compare the writing and quality of acting of Buffy, BSG, or lost with most anything from the 1970s or 1980s. Have you tried watching an episode of Night Gallery? Gag!
As for Smallville, that show is just about almost unwatchable in comparison to Supernatural. Whereas Supernatural has two lead actors who can act, Smallville's Tom Welling plays one note. There's little nuance to his performance. The scripts for Smallville also lack common sense.
I also agree with Heather J, the last thing I want to watch is another cop show. I've had my fill of tough, macho cops who break the rules (and noses and fingers) to get the job done. Gag!
Has anyone noticed the unrelenting mashup of cops/feds investigating science fiction/fantasy incidents? Now that is a trend I could do without for the next 10 years. Sadly, there are 3 new TV shows in pilot that will follow that cliche: Flash Forward and the reboot of V, for instance.
By filmdude at 11:59 PM ON 03/12/09
KINGS looks like the best show to hit US TV for a long time...its FRESH and UNIQUE...ENOUGH of the lawyer/cop MURDER shows like Csi/Law&Order/Csi miami/SVU/etcetcetc -- they are getting so tired that they are recycling story lines...
By svrkevi at 2:34 AM ON 03/13/09
Of course I'm going to watch this...I'm obsessed with the Tudors...it'll be cool to watch a modern dynasty though..
By Samuel at 5:04 AM ON 03/13/09
Is a closeted homosexual in love with his boss's son? I wonder if it will include the homoerotic aspect of the David and Jonathan story or will they make them platonic friends? "When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.""Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul...stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing, and gave it to David, and his armour, and even his sword and his bow and his belt."
1 Samuel 18:4
By dcvewer at 3:28 PM ON 04/10/09
BEST SHOW ON TV! Please save Kings. Its been a long time since a network introduced a well-written movie epic-quality show like Kings. If you like BSG and the Tudors, this show is for you. The acting and character twists are exceptional. This show was not promo-ed at all by NBC. Most of us stumbled upon it by accident (on I-Tunes, Hulu, or SciFi) and love it. Everyone who watches it is drawn back into the story.
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dcvewer:
BEST SHOW ON TV! Please save Kings. Its been a long time since a network introduced a well-written movie epic-quali...More »