Collider: Youve worked with Michael Shannon a few times now.
SHEA WHIGHAM: No, I dont think its a coincidence, seven times.
Once or twice, maybe.
We come together, it seems like, every couple of years.
With this one, we wanted to find something to do together.
Hes one of my closest friends, and hes an incredibly generous actor.
Image via Lionsgate
What is it that you like about working with Michael Shannon?
Why do you think it works so well?
WHIGHAM: Yeah, you hit it right on the head.
Image via Lionsgate
You never know what chemistry is.
I dont think we really question it.
We dont do a deep dive on it.
Image via Lionsgate
Were incredibly close, and hes a great friend.
I think that lends itself to being able to go to darker places on screen.
When you trust someone because you have this history, I think it really helps.
Your character makes the decision to kill this other man and take his place.
What was it like to actually shoot that and the scenes around that?
How long did you spend shooting that bit of the film?
WHIGHAM: We knew we had to get that right.
I said to Scott, Im not interested in playing a serial killer, or anything like that.
It was an intense day, and Bruno [Bichir] was great.
Im not thinking about it on the drive, or anything.
But it was an intense day.
He was all about it, which I was happy about.
Its such an odd, twisted idea.
WHIGHAM: Thats a great point.
Im drawn to complex characters, who are not all good and not all bad.
Thats what the inherent drama is.
Its trying to watch a character get out of a predicament or a dire situation.
Thats what The Man is faced with.
The Man is carrying a secret.
Hes carrying a heavy burden.
The characters inThe Quarryare not individuals who reveal themselves through lots of chatting conversations with each other.
So much of what they think and do is internal and a bit manipulative with each other.
WHIGHAM: Its a throwback film.
The Man doesnt say a lot, but hes got a lot to say.
Chief doesnt say a lot, but hes got a lot to say.
Scott let this film breathe, and you dont find that very often.
You do, in pockets.
Letting it breathe, and letting you to hold on the characters is the key.
You have to really be solid in your wants.
Youre right on, in that these guys are holding secrets.
They dont say a lot, but they have a lot to say.
This is a pretty serious film with pretty serious characters.
What was the vibe on set like?
WHIGHAM: It depends.
Mike and I both work pretty quietly.
We dont say a lot, on the day.
Not that were opposed to that, but we dont say a lot.
And this one was a really difficult film to make.
It had been 10 years in the making, to have a go at get this made with Scott.
But he and I, we dont talk a whole lot, when were working.
It was announced that youve also joined theMission: Impossiblefranchise.
WHIGHAM: I cant tell you that.
Im gonna be an agent.
I dont wanna get in trouble here.
People tried to do this with me withJoker, and I never wanna say too much.
You also did HBOsPerry Masonreboot, which sounds like a really cool take on that.
What was the appeal of that for you and what kind of a guy is that character?
Strickland is another complex guy.
Hes a wily investigator.
All eight episodes are great.
And to be back with HBO, Ive had such good experiences withBoardwalkandTrue Detectivewith them.
I thought thatBoardwalkstill had legs, when we decided to end that.
Its New Years Even 31, into 32, forPerry Mason.
Its not gonna disappoint.
Its a really great series.
It sounds like you like working with people that youve worked with previously.
Is that something thats really important to you?
Its funny, for me, its not always about the script.
Its about the people involved.
It really starts with the people and who Im gonna have an experience with.
I dont consider it a job.
Its more of an experience.
I wanna step on set with people that Ill have that with.
Ive been extraordinarily lucky, in that respect.
The Quarryis available on-demand.
