FRINGE: Stephen Root Previews His Appearance

In anticipation of this week’s Fringe episode, entitled “And Those We’ve Left Behind”, guest star Stephen Root recently spoke with entertainment reporters and bloggers about the experience. He sheds a little light on his character and shares some thoughts on his long and multi-faceted career. His real-life wife, Romy Rosemont, is also a guest.

What’s it like for you to appear on Fringe for the first time with your real-life wife?
“It was a great opportunity to be able to work with her. We have been able to do readings and things like that for films, but never in front of a camera. It was tremendous to be able to work together. I think the first day that we worked, was just the two of us and the director and the crew. It was a joy. It was tremendous.”

What can you tell us about your characters, since they also play husband and wife in the show?
“Not much, or they’ll kill me. But I can tell you that they’re a husband and wife that are both scientists and have something going on in this universe, not the other one. It’s something you need to go ahead and see. But, we’re both scientists trying to accomplish something.”

What are your views on some of the Fringe science we see in the show, like parallel universes and dark matter?
“I love that. I’ve been a sci-fi guy from way back, including comics in the 60s and sci-fi from the time I was 13 years old. It’s always fascinated me, whether we’re in a situation where, “Are there multiple universes? Is the nature of time itself–is it possible to travel back through time?” That kind of stuff has always fascinated me. I’m happy to be addressing it a little bit in this show.”

Was this something that the two of you were actively looking for? Or did Fringe pitch it to you? How did this opportunity come about?
“It came through–actually Romy had went to Northwestern with one of the executive producers and we were actually at a party and talking to him. They were saying, “Would Stephen be interested in doing a Fringe?” And Romy popped up, “Well, yes, if you invite me.” And strangely enough, Mr. Pinkner a while later said, “Yes. Please. Come on and do the show.” We were just more than thrilled to be able to work with each other and come on a quality program.”

What was it like working with John and Anna and Joshua and the cast?
“We actually didn’t get to work with a lot of the cast. It was mainly us and Josh. Anna we saw a little bit. It was kind of an insular episode for us, which was good in that there was limited involvement. It’s kind of a stand-alone thing.”

Since you guys are a real-life couple, as an actor, does it make it easier?
“I think to play husband and wife and be real husband and wife, it’s easier to emotionally connect quickly to a big emotional place, since we’re actual husband and wife. You don’t have a lot of time on television to do that usually. There is not a lot of rehearsal time. Us knowing each other so well–we’re probably knowing where the other person is going to go emotionally, was a help.”

It almost seems like you start out very even and then slowly get unhinged during the course of the episode. Would you say that’s accurate?
“I’d say that’s accurate because he thinks things are going to go along swimmingly, until they don’t. It was a nice little arc to play. I really appreciated the chance to do it, especially with my wife.”

With guest starring spots versus being a series regular, was there anything particularly challenging about that for you?
“Yes. I think there always is. You’re always the new kid on the block when you come in as a guest star. Their series has been going on for four years and they’re a well-oiled machine. They know each other emotionally and intellectually and then you come in and go, “Hi. Here’s my episode. I want to play with you guys.” I always feel like it’s the first day of school for me when I’m doing a guest star thing, but it’s kind of good because you jump; you’re pushed to an emotional high quickly. On TV, there is not a lot of time to rehearse, so it was nice to be able to work with your wife, somebody you knew so well.”

You’ve done a lot of great TV shows and movies. What would you say, aside from Fringe, was the one that you enjoyed the most?
“Because you do so many things, probably series work has got to be your most favorite because you’re going through a family situation. I did King of the Hill for 13 years. Brittany Murphy was 18 when she started that project and by the time we finished we’d been through births and deaths and marriages. I would have to say something like that or the run on NewsRadio were really your most favorite because you’re dealing with what has become your family.”

Do you still stay close to the actors from NewsRadio?
“Yes. I get to see Dave every once in a while. Maura I see–I just saw her in New York. She’s doing well after her bout with cancer. She’s great. I see a lot of the King of the Hill people because they also do other animated shows that I’ve been connected with. Yes we still all stay in touch.”

Is there any one role of yours that people still stop you in the street and recognize you from?
“Yes. It’s pretty much–has to be [easyazon-link asin=”B000AP04L0″]Office Space[/easyazon-link]. I’m currently in Georgia at the moment to see a friend of mine in a play and that’s pretty much what I get stopped for. It’s okay. It’s like the little movie that continues to be seen by people. Every couple of years they’ll discover that. I think it really speaks to mid-America. It just stays current.”

Are there any shows that you watch that you really enjoy that it’s something that you really would love to guest star on?
“There are a few that I really–I love The Good Wife. I’d love to work on that. I love well-written stuff. I saw Kelsey Grammar’s new show Boss. I thought that was pretty good. You want to work on well-written stuff and with people you like.”

Is there anything you can share about any other upcoming projects in the works for you?
“I’ve got J. Edgar opening on the 9th. I’ve just finished filming Robert Redford’s The Company You Keep. Actually did that the week after we did the Fringe, I started working on that. Those are a couple of projects coming up.”

Stephen’s Fringe episode airs Friday, November 11 at 9/8 Central on Fox.