Justin Kucsulain Talks ‘Bloodline’ and ‘The Walking Dead’ [Exclusive Interview]

Justin Kucsulain is ready for anything.

He recently played the role of Ethan on AMC’s The Walking Dead, where it was his job to kill another character and then fight Rick Grimes.

Kucsulain also plays Henry Rourke, “Hank,” on the Netflix Original Series, Bloodline. I had the chance to chat with Kucsulain about both roles as well as his future plans.

Tell-Tale TV: What made you decide to get into acting, and when did you make that decision?

Justin Kucsulain: Mid-twenties I’d say, and after my 1st production experience on the set of Iron Man III. I fell in love with the entire process and was eager to learn more about it. I immediately returned home and started training and reading about acting, the process and the importance of building a craft. About two weeks later, I was in a workshop 4-5 days a week, working with peers who shared the same dreams and aspirations.

Tell-Tale TV: You play Henry Rourke on Season 2 of the Netflix Original Series, Bloodline. What drew you to want to be a part of that show, and was there anything in particular you did to prepare for the role?

Kucsulain: As a fan of Bloodline Season 1, every time the opportunity to audition came around I viewed it as a potential opportunity to work with one of the most talented stacked cast in the business. Even the news of renewal for a second season had me itching for another opportunity to audition for this series.

Once I received the character description of Hank and the script, I immediately started reading and creating a backstory. I imagined the relationship John and Hank had — how they became friends, and what did Hank do that put John Rayburn “on credit.” Developing Hank was a lot of fun, and I’m very excited to hopefully contribute to a Season 3 of this thrilling, nail-biting, and award nominated series.

Tell-Tale TV: What would you say makes Bloodline a unique series?

Kucsulain: The writing. It’s fantastic and always evolving. The family ties that everyone on this earth feels. When it comes to family, most will do anything in their power to help. The audience is able to relate, and that is cinema magic that pulls you in to a dysfunctional reality.

Tell-Tale TV: You also recently played Ethan on The Walking Dead. How different were those two experiences for you, both in terms of the characters you played and being on the different sets?

Kucsulain: Ethan in The Walking Dead was so conflicted. He was sent to the Hilltop to commit an act that he truly didn’t want to go through with. Going back to the previous statement “people will do anything for family;” in this situation, Ethan was willing to kill Gregory to save his brother. That was a direct threat from Negan, the leader of the Saviors; a group that has been oppressing the Hilltop community.

My thoughts are that the last thing Ethan wanted to do was go through with an act of violence on his own community leader. Essentially to the audience, Ethan was a “bad guy,” but I believe Ethan was completely misunderstood, and deserves a back story.

Hank in Bloodline served his country in the USMC and sacrificed in doing so. Hank has no idea why John is coming to him for information, but something happened prior to John’s visit to Hank’s compound that obviously left Hank to believe that he was in debt to John. So to the audience, I believe Hank is seen as a “good guy.”

As far as the sets, they were similar. Everyone was so personable, helpful and happy. The Hilltop was unbelievable; it looked like it came right off the page in Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead issue 95. There was a village of people on set of The Walking Dead; extras, crew, farm animals and almost the entire main cast. The pressure was on.

Bloodline was a lot more intimate because of limited space in Hank’s awesome tower. It felt just like two buddies catching up. The collaboration I had with Kyle Chandler was amazing. Working on both The Walking Dead and Bloodline were extremely memorable experiences.

Tell-Tale TV: What would you say was the biggest challenges for each of those roles?

Kucsulain: Challenges? On The Walking Dead it was keeping my composure around the main cast. I think I was on set for about five minutes before I was shaking Michael Satrazemis’ hand, the director of Knots Untie, who proceeded to tell me he “hand-picked” me. Satrazemis also told me that as soon as he saw my audition he said to himself “this is our guy, he’s Ethan.”

After our chat, I immediately had another welcome from Denise Huth, the co-executive producer of The Walking Dead. My stomach was in knots, and let me tell you, I was so happy it didn’t “untie” right there in front of all those people. Nervous as all hell, the next introduction I will never ever forget. Mr. Andrew Lincoln himself approached me and introduced himself with a stern hand shake — “What’s up man. Andy, nice to meet you. So I have to fight you? …This is going to be fun.”

As I’m talking to Andrew Lincoln, my attention subtlety strays to Norman Reedus making a b-line across the courtyard of The Hilltop and aiming for Andy and me. “What’s up. …I’m Norman, how’s it goin'” — as he too, shakes my hand. I about shit my pants for real. It was the most surreal experience ever. Somehow, I was able to not fan boy out and embarrass myself. I totally held it together. That was the first day I arrived in Senoia, Georgia just for the fitting. The very next day I would be filming that key fight scene right off the page of the comic.

Tell-Tale TV: With both The Walking Dead and Bloodline, it seems you’re drawn to intense television dramas. Is this intentional, and if so, why would you say that’s the case?

Kucsulain: I wish I could pick and choose, but that’s not the case. There’s so much that goes into the audition process. Even if it’s not a project I can relate to, or that I’m particularly interested in, it’s an opportunity to get in front of new casting directors, producers, directors, and even writers that may have not seen or heard of me.

So I try to take advantage of all opportunities. You just never know the situation, or who’s watching you. I have fantastic representation in the South east, and I couldn’t be happier at this point in my career. As far as booking my two favorite shows that happen to be very popular intense television dramas, well, that is just how the cookie crumbled.

Tell-Tale TV: What’s one piece of advice you might give to actors who are just starting out?

Kucsulain: Train, train, train and don’t give up. This is one of the most rewarding industries there is, but it’s also the most brutal. You have to be able to build off of failure, and learn from it, and take constructive criticism even though it seems personal.

You will get so many “NOs” that you almost want to quit, and you just have to persevere. BELIEVE It will happen, trust me. I did it. I received so many NOs, slept in my car, and did whatever I had to do to do what I love. Just starting out I even had an “agent” look me right in the eyes and tell me that I was terrible and to stick with my day job.

You have to do some serious soul-searching, because if you’re trying to get into this business for the celebrity status or money and fame, it’s never going to work. You have to be in this for the love of creation, the love of the art. You’re a storyteller; you are attempting to play pretend on a professional level. There’s a lot of sacrifice involved and there’s no shortcut. Remember if you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Tell-Tale TV: Both Bloodline and The Walking Dead are shows that lend themselves to binge-watching. Do you have any other favorite shows you like to binge-watch?

Kucsulain: Chelsea Does, Bloodline Season 2, and Daredevil were my last three binge bashes.

Tell-Tale TV: What future opportunities in TV or film would you like to be a part of, and why?

Kucsulain: Easy answer — the Marvel Cinematic Universe and/or Daredevil or Punisher. Not only are the films and series closely true to the comics, but they’re just beautifully done. I can’t think of a single thing better than being a child’s hero! I would also be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan myself. A couple of months ago I received a message on Instagram that contained a picture of an Avenger “Sentry,” and the resemblance that he and I share is uncanny. So hint, hint, Marvel; I’m aiming for you!

You can catch Justin Kucsulain on Bloodline Season 2, currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also follow him on social media:

https://twitter.com/justinkucsulain/
https://www.facebook.com/justinkucsulainofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/justinkucsulain/

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