At a recent Television Academy of Arts and Sciences event, the cast and crew of "Homeland" walked the red carpet before participating in a Q&A in front of a live audience. The show, which is currently on hiatus, is back in production filming Season 2 and will return to Showtime in September.
In its first year, "Homeland" won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama, and fans eagerly await Season 2. Created by the producers of "24," this series also plays with the viewers' emotions by dealing with terrorists and homeland security. But unlike its action packed predecessor, "Homeland" is more of a psychological thriller. The cast and crew discussed their theories on why the fan base is so rabid.
Claire Danes Says 'Homeland' Is Gripping.
Claire Danes, who plays rogue CIA counterterrorism operative Carrie Mathison, declared, "I think it's the same thing that seduced me as an actor to the project, which is that the writing is incredibly gripping. And not only is the plot thrilling but the characters are also wildly compelling and unusual."
David Harewood and Damiam Lewis Claim 'Homeland' Hits a Nerve.
The man who plays the Director of the Counterterrorism Center on the show, David Harewood credited the plots for the fanatic viewers. "I don't think there's any other show which creates this sense of suspense and tension and anxiety that 'Homeland' manages to do."
He also felt the timing was right, "It touches a nerve. Ten years after September 11, America is at last being able to take a look back at the so-called war on terror and really examine some of the things it has done. It's a very timely show, and it's brilliantly asking some very on the nose questions."
Damian Lewis, who portrays ex-Marine and potential terrorist Nicholas Brody, agreed with his co-star's assessment. "It's fed very cleverly into the way people feel 10 years after 9/11. The nation went through a post traumatic stress disorder after that for some time. We now live in a more uncertain world and there's a greater unease... So this feeds into a collective fear."
He also added, "It's not simplistic storytelling, this. There are complex, drawn characters, and it's dealing with some major issues. It's trying to tell a bigger picture in a more complex way."
Alex Gansa Hopes to Win the Fans Again in Season 2.
Executive Producer Alex Gansa stated he did not know precisely why fans keep coming back for more. "I wish I knew for sure why, because I would try to do it again this season."
But he agreed the subject matter strikes a nerve. "The show tapped into some underlying anxiety in the country, and I don't mean just terrorist-related. There's a general pervasive anxiety about where America is, what's happening at home, how we project our power overseas. And I think we were able to tap into that anxiety in some way."
Gansa also contended, "It's a plain old good story, and if you have good writers and good actors, there's something compelling all on its own."
"Homeland" returns to Showtime for Season 2 in September of 2012.
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