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“Dark Matter,” the hit sci-fi series from Blake Crouch (“Wayward Pines”), is releasing the final episode of its second season on Apple TV on October 30th.
The series stars Joel Edgerton (“Train Dreams”), Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (“A Beautiful Mind”), Oaks Fegley (“Pavelmans”), Alice Braga (“Suicide Squad”) and Jimmy Simpson (“Westworld”).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jimmi Simpson about working on season 2 of ‘Dark Matter,’ the challenges of playing multiple versions of the same character, working with the cast and series creator Blake Crouch, what fans can expect from season 3, and a look back at his days as ‘Intern Lyle’ on ‘Late Show with David Letterman.’
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Moviefone: First of all, can you tell us how Ryan2 has changed since the first season and what it’s been like for you as an actor playing multiple versions of the same character in the series?
Jimmy Simpson: Ryan 1 in season 1 was a victim of his own brain power. He is a brilliant neuroscientist and has had the rather unfortunate experience of being betrayed by his best friend and abandoned in another universe. So it is a difficult phase in his life. But one of the beautiful things that Ryan gets to experience in Season 2 is the relationships of other people who are caught up in these situations. It’s his relationship with Amanda and they’re both trying to navigate things that no one else can understand. A lot of intimacy comes from that. So you have Season 1 Ryan, who is convinced he’s won his whole life, and later in the season, he’s lost in a way he’s never even experienced because he’s always been a winner. So to have that connection with Amanda allows us to discover who he really is and that he’s actually more of an explorer than we previously thought. He had lived a successful but safe life before this experience.
MF: What was it like working with Alice Braga to create Ryan and Amanda’s relationship?
JS: I really liked it. Alice and I had known each other quite casually through friends for many years, and we would always say, “Oh, I wish we could work together.” This wasn’t our choice. Blake just saw both of us and brought us into this role. Who knew how extensive their relationship would become? Maybe it’s Blake, but Alice is such a great actor because she brings so much emotional truth to this bizarre situation. There might be a scene where they’re discussing something completely crazy, like traveling between universes, and then it can somehow feel like two people are talking about very personal issues. It’s like the best support group. Very exclusive and parking is terrible.
MF: I also wanted to ask you about working with Joel Edgerton and the challenges of working with an actor playing multiple versions of the same character. Is it sometimes confusing to know which Jason you’re in a scene with?
JS: Joel Edgerton is one of the best actors I know and certainly have worked with, so it’s never confusing to know which Jason you’re talking to. His preparations are non-stop. When he’s on that show, he doesn’t get a moment’s rest other than to be with his family. So he’s at work all day every day. It’s amazing how clearly the nuances between the various Jasons are felt. There is literally a flash in his eye. He knows how these characters live and live despite being very similar. Strangely enough, no, it’s really clear what Jason Joel is up to and what a testament it is to his acting abilities. I think he’s absolutely amazing.
MF: What was the experience like working with series creator Blake Crouch and watching him build the incredible world of this show?
JS: Well, it’s true that he wrote this great book, but it’s incredibly exciting because the guy, Blake Crouch, is still driving the car. For example, in season 2, it can be a scary moment, usually when the show lacks its source material. But in our case, the brain that created the universe is still using it. Now he’s free to explore questions and fears that he didn’t have to answer in the original story, which is just the interesting thing about ‘Dark Matter.’ The premise is almost infinitely expandable, but Blake is always interested in the human cost that all these extraordinary circumstances result in. He is interested not only in what happens when a door is opened, but also in what happens to the person who walks through it.
MF: Do you want to see where Ryan goes in the third season? Do you have more to say about Ryan’s story?
JS: I think so. I think Season 2, like I said, is a reminder of his abilities as an explorer. He is a brilliant scientist. Unfortunately, he is often surrounded by people who are good at complicating his life. Maybe there is a more calm way to navigate this. Perhaps he will go on a solo expedition and we will learn more about where he came from.
MF: Lastly, I love your work as intern Lyle on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Do you have any interesting memories from your broadcasting career?
JS: It’s really fun. I was actually in the city filming the show. I was with a friend and I said, ‘Oh, I need to call you for this.’ He wanted to have a beer. So I said, “Just pick one place.” He said, “Oh, I’m settled.” We walked to here for about 15 minutes. I looked up and it was McGee’s Pub, the line where I said Lyle. I wanted Dave to be my wingman at McGee’s Pub, but I’d never been there. So suddenly there I was 15 years later. I plan to upload actual photos I took soon. “I don’t want to collect a bunch of bags of yams.”
What is the plot of ‘Dark Matter’ Season 2?
In Season 2, the Dessens family finally enjoys a quiet life in a seemingly safe world, until the unthinkable forces them on the run once again. As Jason’s (Joel Edgerton) obsession with the box deepens, Daniela’s (Jennifer Connelly) paranoia grows, pushing her over the edge and threatening to tear apart their fragile stability. Meanwhile, Amanda (Alice Braga) and Ryan (Jimmy Simpson) work together to find a way home. With Blair (Amanda Bruegel) determined to stop him, Layton continues to pursue his grand vision of creating a perfect world.
Who is in the cast of ‘Dark Matter’ Season 2?
- Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen
- Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Dessen
- Alice Braga as Amanda Lucas
- Oakes Fegley as Charlie Dessen
- Jimmy Simpson – Ryan Holder
- Dayo Okeniyi as Leighton Vance
- Amanda Brugel as Blair Kaplan
List of Jimmy Simpson movies and TV shows:
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