CusickGallery.net: Henry Ian Cusick

‘MacGyver’ Preview: Henry Ian Cusick
on Sword Fights & ‘Lost’ Fans (VIDEO)

Jim Halterman January 22, 10:00 am

If you’re a MacGyver fan patiently waiting for Phoenix Foundation owner Russ Taylor (Henry Ian Cusick) to have some romance on the CBS crime drama, the wait is over. On the January 22 quarantine-themed episode, a COVID-related shacking up results in a deeper relationship for Russ and his long-distance occasional fling, Sofia Walker (Camilla Arfwedson).

Check out the exclusive clip from the episode above and, below, our chat with Cusick, who talks Russ’s dynamic with Sofia, shooting an intimate sword fight with COVID safety restrictions, and whether fans from Lost (where Cusick played heroic Desmond Hume) still reach out to him.

They just keep on coming. The reported spinoff is from George R.R. Martin’s ‘Tales of Dunk and Egg’ novellas.

It’s about time Russ had some love in his life. 

Henry Ian Cusick: Yes! Russ is getting a romance! Camilla is lovely to work with. She brings something else to the show [as Sofia] in that she’s not all that she seems.

I do prefer the action stuff and running around, and the romance kind of takes you away from all that, but — the stuff that I’ve shot with Camilla will intertwine action and romance. Of course with Russ, it’s not just going to be romance. There’s always going to be humor in there because he can be so, what’s the word? Buffoonish?

Do you think viewers will look at Russ differently now that he’s involved with someone?

You did get a taste of it last season in a flashback episode with a girl he went to see, and Russ has dropped lines that he’s been married more than once. But he’s certainly the older character in the show so, is this his last hope at a full fledged, proper settling down romance? I don’t know. I doubt it, but I’m thinking that he thinks that, so that could be interesting.

CBS

Apparently there’s a sword fighting that happens while Russ and Sofia are in lockdown that has a seductive element to it?

That sword fight was interesting. Because of COVID, it just takes up a lot more time [to shoot]. You’re testing and cleaning and resetting and everything just takes a lot of time with filming. They wrote it and the director said, “We’re going to cut it because it’s just going to take up too much.” We kind of fought for it and I’m so glad that that sword fight was back in. It just makes it a little bit more sexy, and Camilla’s character is aristocratic so it brings that element to it.

What draws Russ to Sophia? 

They’ve been longtime friends and have been having these long-distance flings. So they meet up and hook up for a couple of days and that’s all the relationship was. Now with the quarantine episode, it’s more about, “Well, we’ve been together for a month now and we get on really well. How far are we going to take it?” Also in that episode, I get to play a musical instrument, which is great.

Which instrument?

The drums, so that’s quite fun.

Your former Lost co-star, Jorge Garcia, is guesting in the episode that airs on February. Do you still hear from Lost fans?

Oh, for sure. I have some Lost fans that came with me to The 100 and then came with me to MacGyver. Coming to The 100 was an easy switch from Lost because they’re similar shows, but MacGyver is a big jump, so I’m very grateful, But, especially now during COVID, MacGyver is such a fun show to watch.

MacGyver, Fridays 8/7c, CBS.

What a fun…but angsty…episode this week. We met Russ’ long-term “booty call weekend” friend, and learn they’ve been trysting for years, ala Same Time, Next Year. Camilla Arfwedson @CamillArfwedson (Tw) @camillakarfwedson (IG) plays Sofia Walker, who comes to see Russ for the weekend, and they end up being quarantined together for a month. It was delightful watching these two interact, and we love their chemistry. The end of the episode left us heartbroken for Russ, and questioning Sofia’s motives.

Additional delightful nuances include Ian as Russ playing drums, and singing a song by The Cars that Ian’s band, Chan Chan Yaki, covers. We see a bevy of musical instruments in his home….we hope to see more musicality from him in the future. We so love Ian’s singing and playing, it was great to see that incorporated into the episode.

Another lovely added touch was Russ’ backstory about his Peruvian grandfather, and the tales and treasures they sought. Ian is of Peruvian heritage on his maternal side. and was born in Trujillo, Peru. His “high Andean cheekbones” and his profile makes his Latin genes very apparent. More about the legacy of King Atahualpa and the lost Incan treasure here.

Episode caps here

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The anticipation is building for this Friday’s episode, when we get to meet Russ’ friend, who is the “Countess of Harrington, actually, actually.” The imagination runs rampant with ideas of how these two tangle with each other. Don’t miss Camilla Arfwedson (pronounced Arvedson) @CamillArfwedson as she plays Sofia Walker. Based on the clips below, Russ is a bit flustered by it all, and despite possibly being “whiffy,” he looks smashing in a white shirt and vest aka waistcoat.

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5.06 Quarantine + N95 + Landline + Telescope + Social Distance

Press Release

DURING COVID-19’S FIRST STAY-AT-HOME ORDER, AS MAC, BOZER AND RILEY QUARANTINE TOGETHER, THEY TRY TO STOP A CRIME IN PROGRESS AT THEIR NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE, ON “MACGYVER,” FRIDAY, JAN. 22

“Quarantine + N95 + Landline + Telescope + Social Distance” – During COVID-19’s first stay-at-home order, as Mac, Bozer and Riley quarantine together, they try to stop a crime in progress at their neighbor’s house. Also, Russ’ romantic fling takes on a longer and more complicated turn when they quarantine together, on MACGYVER, Friday, Jan. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

REGULAR CAST:
Lucas Till (Angus “Mac” MacGyver)
Tristin Mays (Riley Davis)
Justin Hires (Wilt Bozer)
Meredith Eaton (Matty Weber)
Levy Tran (Desi Nguyen)
Henry Ian Cusick (Russ Taylor)

GUEST CAST:
Dan Lauria (Lenny)
Marie Thomas (Mallory Krengel)
Camilla Arfwedson (Sofia Walker)
Benjamin Keepers (Shane Steckler)
Victor Turner (James Krengel)
Nadia Lorencz (Robber/Cleaner #6)
Sam Hargrave (Tall Robber/Cleaner #12)

WRITTEN BY: Stephanie Hicks and Andrew Karlsruher
DIRECTED BY: Andrew Ahn Source: CBS

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