It was often hard to tell what David Estes (played by David Harewood) is thinking onHomeland.
Mandy Patinkin as Saul gives a subtle, but forceful performance.
Estes goes to Carries house to talk to her on her porch.
Credit: Kent Smith/SHOWTIME
In the end he asks her to go to Beirut, which leads Carrie on the road to vindication.
So, right off the bat, why did you pick that scene?
Did you play that in at all to the scene where you have to come back with Carrie?
Oh yeah, I mean I played every scene as if I was still in love with her.
I mean it wasnt written that way.
I dont think she found out.
I mean the sex must have been insane.
So I think he just thought This is it.
Im in love, went to his wife and said Look, Im in love.
Im gonna leave you.
And Claire agreed with thats what freaked her out and she then ran away.
And I think if somebody hurts you like that its in your heart.
Its a shame we didnt get to explore it a bit more.
But I certainly played every scene as if I was still really crazy about her.
How did you play the power dynamic between you two?
We didnt really get much chance.
I actually found it was the first time you saw a little bit of emotion in Estes.
It was actually quite difficult for me to do that.
It was very difficult for me to tell her that shes actually not going to get her job back.
I was forever basically just trying to suppress my feelings for her as much as I could.
I was basically extremely jealous of Brody.
I made that part of my dynamic that this guy has to go.
Do you remember that day when you had to do that scene?
Can you walk me through it?
He saysdont tell Walden that you know.
Dont tell Walden that we know.
But I remember there thinking Im vulnerable.
Thats the first time I thought to myself as a character, I thought Im vulnerable.
(laughs) Its only rumors but its amazing to be attached to such an iconic role.
But Im almost scared to make any comment whatsoever.
You were already a character on that show, right?
I was in David Tennants final episode, yes.
So it probably wouldnt happen anyway.
It would definitely be something extremely sharp.
Something extremely sharp and tailored.
And not to kind of put too dark a pun on it, but I would make him darker.
I would like to make this guy a bit of a badass if I was to do it.
Do you have anything that you want to talk about thats coming up next?
Im going to be onstage in New York which Im really excited about.
Im going to be in Julie TaymorsMidsummer Nights Dreamjust off-Broadway in November.
With Estes I have to almost do nothing.
I have to be as ambiguous as I can possibly be and not show any emotions.
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