If there’s an actor who knows how to win me over, it’s Coby Bell. I was staunchly prepared to dislike the idea of a new character on Burn Notice, until I saw him take the role and do more with it than I ever expected. As burned spy Jesse Porter, Bell is shaking up the series and showing some amazing talent, and I’m happy to say he’s changed my mind completely. After admitting I was wrong about him, I sat down with him to talk about his future on Burn Notice, the return of his series The Game, and his career-making role on Third Watch.
I feel the compulsory need to apologize for being so opposed to your character in the beginning; I have to admit that I was totally wrong about you. What’s it been like for you, as far as the reaction of the fans?
Coby Bell: Thank you so, so much. The fans have had the same opinion as you – I can understand that. They’ve had their Burn Notice the way they like their Burn Notice for the last three years and why mess with it? I knew I was jumping on to a moving train and I was going to have to learn quick and figure out what was going on. That’s really great to hear that I could change your mind.
Obviously, the audience knows and you know that Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) burned Jesse and there’s a showdown coming. Has it been difficult or frustrating for you playing his arc when you know more than he does?
I knew Michael was the one that did it, but I didn’t know how they were going to play it out. It has been frustrating – I know when the big showdown happens. Hardcore Burn Notice fans might be a little pissed at the character again.
Speaking of frustrating, please tell me we’re done with the idea of Jesse having an interest in Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar). I could do without that.
I think they wanted a little jealousy going on with Michael and Fiona, but let’s just say Jesse and Fi aren’t getting married.
I heard you say that you knew Matt Nix from reading for another project of his. Was that The Good Guys by any chance? Were you reading for the Colin Hanks role?
Yes, I was.
That would’ve been awesome, but I like you on this series, so I can’t complain.
Neither can I.
Do you know yet if you’ll be back beyond this season? I know you’re still a series regular on The Game. Selfishly, I’d love to see you stay a regular on both shows.
I’m technically on The Game as a recurring [character]. They said “You can do as many episodes as you can squeeze into your schedule.” This season Burn Notice will end and The Game will start up. Next season when Burn Notice starts up, I’ll jump back on.
In regard to that series, any hope that Jason and Kelly (Brittany Daniel) get back together?
I don’t know anything yet. I don’t know where they’re going with the story. I’m looking forward to getting back to that show as well. The Game is a really special place to work. It was nothing but fun to do.
I just spoke to Aldis Hodge (who played the original Derwin in the backdoor pilot for The Game) at Comic-Con while covering Leverage and he told me to tell you that he’d really love to work with you on that show. I wholeheartedly second that idea.
Leverage is great. I’m so happy that Aldis got on a successful show because he’s such a talented guy. He actually worked with my dad in the mid 90’s, so when we did The Game, it was a trip.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you about Third Watch. How on earth did you handle all that running? I’m surprised you or Jason Wiles didn’t just faint at some point, considering every episode one or both of you was chasing someone.
The first two seasons they really ran me a lot. I was 23 when I got that job, so I guess they figured let the kid do all the running. And I think it was a rookie thing. The rookie just wants to chase after anyone who’s done anything wrong. Jason’s character Bosco never got over that. Jason’s actually really fast. We were doing a scene where we had to chase some guy together, and I was like, “Dude, you need to slow down a little, you’re making me look bad.”
You two seemed to work really well together. What was that like?
Our characters weren’t partners, but we got to do a lot of stuff together. Jason’s a great guy. I haven’t seen him in awhile. I miss him.
Last question: how do you fit all of that 6’3” frame in the back of that Dodge Charger without hitting your head into the ceiling?
It’s not my head hitting the ceiling. It’s my knees hitting the seat in front of me.
Coby continues his role as Jesse Porter on Burn Notice on USA. Don’t miss it. He just might surprise you – he did surprise me!
Dude Colby bell sucks… He ruined burn notice and he needs to be killed off the show asap.
as a chuck fan, it is going to be a long time b4 I trust any show to introduce a recurring male star mid show to serve as a PLI or LI, Brandon Routh possible was the poorest cast, poorest written, poorest acted, poorest received by both the cast and the fans character I can recall – how the show got renewed after it got 'shawed' is beyond me – but yea – jessie so far has been really good, 4 man teams work out better than 3 man teams
I'm not quite sure what you mean with the acronyms, but I'm glad to hear you like the character! (And yes, as a Chuck fan, that whole arc was kind of a mess. Though I've seen Brandon Routh in other things and he was decent, so I'm not really sure what happened there.)
Dude, this guy is ruining Burn Notice. He can't act worth a damn. Maybe he's there to make Micheal look good? Who knows.
I watch BN. Witht he addition of COby I may. He is FANTASTIC on TG, adn was FANTASTIC on 3rd Watch.