HM #009 - Interview Christopher Gorham

In France (and probably in other countries), when we talk about Christopher Gorham, we think at first to Auggie Anderson, your character in Covert Affairs. What did the series bring to you?

Portraying Auggie on “Covert Affairs” has been my most rewarding experience as an actor. I'd never played a character for as long (5-years) and had never had to do nearly as much research, and continuing education, as I had to do for that role. I worked closely with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and made some good friends along the way, like David Lepofsky (Toronto General Counsel and Disability Advocate). I was deeply honored that the CNIB presented me with the Seeing Beyond Vision Loss:Achievement Award as it meant that my efforts, and those of the entire “Covert Affairs” team, were being recognized and appreciated by the community of people living with vision loss that we were seeking to portray through August Anderson. It was a special moment.

You've played geek roles many times. Are you familiar with this universe or on the contrary, is it a challenge every time to memorize the very specific terms?

Playing a geek really isn't any different than playing a lawyer, or a serial killer for that matter. No matter what the role, the requirements are always the same. You have to believe what the character believes. What's true for him, must be true for you. Usually, the "geeks" I've played have been smarter than I am so it's required a lot of memorization, yes.

Since 2014, you are the voice of Barry Allen aka The Flash in Justice League animated films. Are you fans of the DC’s universe?

I love DC! It think their live action films have been a mixed bag but the animated movies have been consistently good. I'll keep making them as long as they'll have me and I'm hoping they'll make a new stand alone Flash movie.

After directing several episodes of Covert Affairs, you took the next step by directing your first film, We Love You, Sally Carmichael!, a comedy written and produced by Daryn Tufts, available since August 4, 2017. Do you want to renew the experience soon?

I started directing at Funny or Die (“Pet Hunt,” “Rant Writer,” “Rant Writer 2”) so it was nice to get back to comedy after “Covert Affairs.” Getting a feature film made is a small miracle and I'm very proud of the end product. In fact, the 13-days it took to film "We Love You, Sally Carmichael!" were some of the best days of my career. I'd love to make another film, but I don't know if I'd do it with a micro budget like we had on “Sally.” Still, never say never.

You played the role of David Wilson, a widower who raises his autistic son in "A Boy Called Po" released on September 1, 2017. An independent film, hailed at the 2016 Palm Beach International Film Festival that addresses a topic you know very well because your eldest son, Lucas, was diagnosed with autism a few years ago. What made you want to play this role?

I had assumed that John Asher, the director of "A Boy Called Po,” knew that my son has Autism. He had no idea, but that shared experience (his son is also on the Autism spectrum), gave us a familiarity that was helpful during filming. Obviously, I felt very close to the material and had no problem connecting emotionally to what David is going through. It's a powerful film that rings particularly true to families with Autism and the people who love them.

You are currently filming The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith in which you take on the role of John Groberg, 17 years after the first film. A part of the casting has changed, but some are back. Happy to find them again?

We finished principal photography in Fiji just a few weeks ago. Anne Hathaway isn't returning for this one, but I did get to work with Joe Folau (Feki) again, as well as Miriama Smith, Whetu Fala, and Peter Saéna-Brown. Honestly, reuniting with those old friends was a powerful selling point when Mitch Davis offered me the role again.

Between two movies, you'll also be back on TV with the new Netflix series, Insatiable. What can you tell us about your character?

I'm so excited for you to see "Insatiable"! I play Bob Barnard, the handsome (often shirtless) District Attorney and antagonist to Bob Armstrong (Dallas Roberts). It's a darkly comic series from Lauren Gussis (“Dexter”) where a humiliated attorney/beauty pageant coach takes a revenge obsessed bullied teen under his wing. It stars Debbie Ryan (“Jessie”), Dallas Roberts (“The Good Wife”), Alyssa Milano, myself, and an extraordinary ensemble of some of the funniest actors I've ever worked with. It's like Ryan Murphy's first hit, "Popular," but even more fun...and on Netflix.

You are a multi-talented actor who comes to be at ease in the role of best friend, ideal boyfriend, serial killer, blind man, genius or single daddy... What is the most difficult role which you had to play?

Henry Dunn, the psychotic groom/killer behind “Harper's Island” was probably my most challenging role so far. Like I said earlier, you have to believe what your character believes. His truth has to be your truth, and Henry's truth was broken. He was a broken human being and about as far from my reality as I can get. Consequentially, that role is also one of my favorites because I succeeded in making the audience feel sorry for the bad guy -- because I made them see his humanity.

Do you watch series and what are your favorites?

I'm waiting for “Game of Thrones,” but in the mean time I enjoy “Superstore,” and have been watching “The Office” a lot with my kids.