Giancarlo Esposito on “Revolution,” “Breaking Bad” And “Once Upon A Time”
By Abbie Bernstein
In the world of NBC’s new series REVOLUTION, created by Eric Kripke of SUPERNATURAL fame, all the electricity in the world suddenly stops. Fifteen years later, civilization largely consists of peaceful agrarian villages – but there are armed militias afoot. One of the most feared is led by Captain Tom Neville, played by Giancarlo Esposito.
Esposito was just nominated for a Dramatic Supporting Actor Emmy for his portrayal of the terrifying Gus Fring on BREAKING BAD (the award was won by Esposito’s costar on the series, Aaron Paul). This past season, he was also seen as Sidney Glass, aka the Genie of the Lamp, aka the Magic Mirror, on the first year of ONCE UPON A TIME.
In person, Esposito is the antithesis of those onscreen personas – he is as charming and gentlemanly as can be imagined. The actor was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, but his parents moved to Manhattan during his early childhood. Esposito first performed in stage when he was eight years old and began appearing in films and on television at the age of twelve. Significant roles have included Mike Giardello in HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and Cassius Clay Sr. in Michael Mann’s fact-based drama ALI.
At a party thrown by NBC for the Television Critics Association, Esposito sits down at a poolside table and talks about what he’s been up to lately.
Tom Neville is a pretty intimidating fellow, but then, so is Gus Fring. Where does Neville rang on the Gus Fring scale of badassness?
