Chicago Fire premiered Wednesday, Oct. 10thon NBC! How would you describe this show?
Chicago Fire is an ensemble show based in a fictional Chicago Fire Department’s House 51. The firehouse plays home to the crews of an ambulance, engine, ladder truck, and a Rescue Squad. It follows the lives of those crews, not just on the job, but in their personal lives as well. While there is plenty of action, the real focus is on telling the stories of these people who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect ours.
You play Hadley. Can you tell us a bit about your character?
Hadley is a member of the Rescue Squad. All of the Squad guys are trained not just in firefighting but in things like water rescues, repelling rescues, ledge work (jumpers), and any number of other specialties. They’re also the guys who rescue other firefighters if need be (although all firefighters will put their necks on the line for a fellow firefighter). He’s a member of that team both on the job and off. The Squad guys work hard together and play hard together.
In the first ten minutes of episode one, there was a tragic loss for the department, setting the tone. It then followed with lots of drama, fires, shirtless men, secrets we are hoping get revealed, and of course, lots of fire! What can fans expect from the rest of this season?
Absolutely that. In addition to really impressive action pieces revolving around the job, You can look forward to getting to know the characters really well. The show is not just about going out on calls. We’re making a very concentrated effort to show you what these folks go through both on and off the job. The thing about firefighters and EMTs is that while they are all absolute heroes, they don’t think of themselves that way. They’re there to do a job and when they’re done they have to go home and face the same kinds of trouble that you and I do. They have families and obstacles and dreams and trouble paying the bills just like everyone else. We’re trying to show you the whole picture.
The cast on this show is a mixture of long time actors and fairly new faces in the business. How does everyone get along on set?
Oh, it’s disgusting. Just digusting. We all get along famously. I mean, we hang out with each other off set. It’s that bad. In addition to everyone being genuinely fun to be around, we’ve also developed this sense of being comrades in arms that echoes that which the real folks on the job have. You should see these guys when they get together. There’s a brand of ball-busting that only comes from genuinely enjoying each other.
Is there a higher level of expectations on the set to properly show the world the life of a firefighter in Chicago while still adding the love triangles and drama that viewers want?
Absolutely. Most of the extras in uniform you see in the show are real firefighters. We know these guys. We hang out with these guys. They are now our friends. We want to do right by them. Not only do they show us how to do the job properly, but just by being around, we get the chance to really get to know them. And it makes us focus on doing right by them.
Why will fans like this show? What will draw them in compared to the other shows currently on television?
Because there’s more going on than the action. This show is about the people. If we’re doing our jobs right, and I think we are, you’re going to really love these people. I’m looking forward to hearing the Who’s Your Favorite conversations because people are going to associate with and latch on to certain characters.
Aside from Chicago Fire, what else can fans be on the lookout for, or are you currently concentrating on this?
I’m shoulder deep in Chicago Fire right now. Whatever remaining work time I have is spent doing voiceover jobs. Keep an ear out for USSA spots on the TV and radio, and for an upcoming Cars.com campaign. You’ll hear me doing my schtick.
The viewers are the reason that shows make it and get renewed for more seasons. What would you tell the fans if you could tell them anything?
It ain’t just a show about firefighters with their shirts off. Sure, we got some eye candy, but this show is about so much more than that. Come for the pecs, stay for the brains.
Where can fans find you online? Twitter? Facebook?
I’m a pretty private guy.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions and we look forward to watching Chicago Fire on NBC! Wednesdays at 10 pm!
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