For eight years, David Boreanaz played brooding vampire Angel on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and later on his own spinoff series "Angel." Now the actor doesn't have to worry about mirror reflections, direct sunlight or otherworldly foes with his latest role — Special Agent Seeley Booth on Fox's new procedural drama "Bones," premiering tonight at 8.
Booth is a by-the-books agent who finds himself paired up with forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) as the two solve crimes with their widely different set of skills. Think of it as a new millennium "X-Files" without the supernatural elements and with an extra dash of "CSI" crime fighting for good measure.
"I loved that these characters were so interesting," Boreanaz says. "The character for me is a chance to break out with something really great. The character fits the very simple, all-American, straight shooter with a great gut instinct kind of a guy. … It wasn't developed for me, but it kind of fell in my lap and it was like putting on a coat that felt right."
While the premise of the series rests on the notion of forensic evidence to analyze the bones of victims in unsolved crimes, Boreanaz admits the show is much more than a "bone-of-the-week" mystery.
"That was one of my main questions when I got on board," Boreanaz admits. "The throughline is the procedural. It is called ‘Bones,' but it's not going to be just about bones. We're doing an episode right now about the death penalty."
Another aspect of the role that appealed to the actor was the chance to bring his own interpretation of the character as well — working closely with creator Hart Hanson in defining and exploring who Seeley Booth is.
"I'm really blessed to have someone like Hart, because it's the first time I've worked with someone who has allowed me to collaborate in a way that is accepted," Boreanaz says. "You throw an idea out, you don't get the nod of the head, you get, ‘Let's do that and see where you can take this character.'"
As for the sexual tension between the characters of Booth and Brennan, Boreanaz says he feels it's reminiscent of "Moonlighting" — one of his favorite shows. The difference — the attraction won't be consummated for a very long time, lest it makes "Bones" jump the shark like it did with "Moonlighting."
"The moment that happens, the show is over and I'm on to my next job," Boreanaz says with a laugh.
Thanks sfexaminer.com |
