He may always remain Brandon Walsh in our memories (and, let’s face it, our hearts), but Vancouver-born actor-director Jason Priestley has had quite a varied career. He stars in the hit HBO Canada series Call Me Fitz, and he’s acted in plays in London’s West End. He’s also directed music videos for Barenaked Ladies, and this past summer, he directed his first feature-length film, Cas & Dylan, to be released later this year.
This month, he’s in Toronto headlining the Canadian Stage production of David Mamet’s acclaimed play, Race, running at the Bluma Appel Theatre until May 5.
What made you want to return to the stage after more than 10 years?
The process is entirely different from what I do on a daily basis in film and television. It’s what I went to school for, and it’s funny how much you forget when you’re not utilizing those tools on a daily basis. I love coming back to theatre and reminding myself what made me want to be an actor in the first place.
What appealed to you about playing Jack Lawson?
To tackle a David Mamet play was something I was very intrigued by. I’ve never played a role like this before. I’ve played lawyers, but never a lawyer like this. Jack is quite a force in this play — whether he’s in the right or wrong is something the audience will have to decide!
It seems as if you really make an effort to be part of Canadian productions and work with local talent.
You know, I do, but I don’t know if it’s been a conscious decision. It just seems to me that I had a lot more interesting opportunities creatively come up for me in Canada.
What can fans expect from the upcoming season of Call Me Fitz?
Oh man, this season is crazy! There’s a wedding, there are a lot of family secrets that are revealed, there’s an abduction. There are a lot of parties, a lot of blackouts. A couple of dead bodies. And that’s all in 10 episodes! We didn’t mess around this year.
You won a Canadian Comedy Award for the show. Have you always considered yourself a funny guy?
I’ve always thought I was pretty funny. I’m just glad everyone else is finally coming around to it!
I have to go there: do you ever feel as if you’re never going to escape being Brandon Walsh?
I hated him even when I was playing him! But I feel like my life and my career moved on, and thankfully, I never got stuck playing that guy over and over. But judging from some of my Twitter followers, a lot of other people got stuck on him!
Do you think that’s why you’re drawn to playing more badass guys now?
You never want to swim in the same water twice. I think it’s important to challenge yourself and explore new things, so I’m always trying to find new characters.