Michael Vartan makes no apologies about what attracted him to the world of acting. “If we’re gonna be blunt and honest, it’s the money.” Vartan admits when asked what got him into the craft. With a career spanning twenty-plus years, it’s a safe bet that Vartan’s motivations have been tempered by the more artistic trappings of the business. Regardless of why he punches the acting clock now, it is clear that his persona is one that draws and keeps viewers, an attribute that TNT is banking on in part for his run along side Jada Pinkett Smith in Hawthorne. TVOvermind attended a phone conference with Vartan to discuss Hawthorne with the press.
In Hawthorne, Smith plays Chrstina Hawthorne, a strong willed nurse who has dedicated her life to her patients in the wake of losing her husband to cancer. Vartan plays Dr. Tom Wakefield, the oncologist who treated Christina’s husband and serves as Chief of Surgery for the hospital. Fans of Vartan are familiar with his tremendous range, from dark to upbeat, but the actor promises something new with Dr. Wakefield – a blend. “My character [in Hawthorne] is a Doctor, he’s head of surgery, so obviously there is a serious side to him. But we are wrapping episode six now, and we’ve definitely developed the chemistry between those two characters. They are definitely joking around a lot more than they did in the pilot.”
Having spent five years making Alias’s Michael Vaughan the object of unobtainable affection for millions of fans, Vartan is bracing himself to test the chemistry with co-star Smith, but not yet. On the question of whether or not there is a future hook up between Dr. Wakefield and Pinkett’s Hawthorne, Vartan is slyly cautious. “You know, this is television so I’d be surprised if they don’t. In the story her husband just passed away six month to a year ago, and I was a close friend of his so I think we’re going to need a little healing time for the poor girl before Dr. Tom tries to swoop in and take her out.”
In addition to stoking the romantic speculation over Hawthorne, Vartan went on to gush over some upcoming guest stars, as well as their story lines. “Cloris Leachman, she plays a zany zany patient who gives one of our young nurses the hardest time she could ever handle. Malcolm Jamal Warner was on, and I got to work with him. He plays someone who gets sick and starts hallucinating and thinks that Jada’s character is his wife. “
Aside from the glitzy guest-star driven plots, Vartan promises Hawthorne gets into the guts of the more topical issues dominating the health care industry. “There is an episode we just finished that touched on health care and the economic crunch, and how it is affecting people, hospitals, and the healthcare system in general. We have great writers, and they are hell bent on keeping this as real as possible.
Thanks so much for the interview. Michael Vartan is a wonderful person and a wonderful actor. I always enjoy his interviews. I am so looking forward to seeing him in Hawthorne.
Thanks so much for the interview. Michael Vartan is a wonderful person and a wonderful actor. I always enjoy his interviews. I am so looking forward to seeing him in Hawthorne.
Great article!! Thanks so much. I am really looking forward to this show!
Great article!! Thanks so much. I am really looking forward to this show!
well i have been waiting for something good and Michael always delivers…. he is a serious and interesting actor and always makes the plots entertaining. he is born with talent and a gift of good looks.. he has it all im looking forward to him on tv again. i hope it is as good as Alias… he was amazing that series. im sure he will be in this one too. im counting on it… im glad he is back!!
Gina Wilson
well i have been waiting for something good and Michael always delivers…. he is a serious and interesting actor and always makes the plots entertaining. he is born with talent and a gift of good looks.. he has it all im looking forward to him on tv again. i hope it is as good as Alias… he was amazing that series. im sure he will be in this one too. im counting on it… im glad he is back!!
Gina Wilson
I'm looking forward to seeing Michael Vartan back on TV again! (And Jada too ;)
I’m looking forward to seeing Michael Vartan back on TV again! (And Jada too ;)
I completely agree with everyone, especially Gina Wilson. Vartan is reliably captivating in everything he does – I think because of his depth and complexity. It is always an occasion and a treat to have him back.
I completely agree with everyone, especially Gina Wilson. Vartan is reliably captivating in everything he does – I think because of his depth and complexity. It is always an occasion and a treat to have him back.
After watching the previews, I am sure Jada Pinkett-Smith and Michael Vartan will be outstanding in this series with their respective roles.
Can't wait to see it.
After watching the previews, I am sure Jada Pinkett-Smith and Michael Vartan will be outstanding in this series with their respective roles.
Can’t wait to see it.