ABC’s “Scandal” is one of the biggest shows on television and Susan Pourfar plays one of its most scandalous characters! In what was a thrilling winter finale for the series, Pourfar’s character Becky was revealed to be involved in the shooting of the President, played by Tony Goldwyn. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with the television, film and theater actress on what it’s like for her to work on the Shonda Rhimes drama and play someone who is full of twists and turns; as well as her accomplished theater career and the award-winning role she’s bringing to the stage in Los Angeles!
“Scandal” is one of the hottest shows on television right now-what is it like working on it?
Pourfar- I feel incredibly fortunate. Working on a show created by Shonda Rhimes is such a unique opportunity because she creates a world populated by diverse and wonderfully imperfect, flawed individuals, and she writes for active and intelligent female characters - which I love.
The fact that the show is so successful is the icing on the cake.
What did you think when they told you your character would be involved in the shooting of the President?
Pourfar- They didn't tell me; I read it! I sat down to read the script and there it was. I was flabbergasted. Utterly shocked. Early on, from the audition material, I knew my character's background would be similar to Huck's ... but I had no idea how it would manifest!
What's the best part about being on Scandal? The most challenging?
Pourfar- The major highlight is working with Guillermo Diaz. He can simultaneously be privately invested in his work and aware of every single person on the set. That kind of 360 degree awareness is rare and something I deeply admire!
The most challenging part is also what's most fun for me -- finding my way inside of why Becky does what she does and what her underlying wants are, no matter how far outside of my own experiences her actions go.
I know this is a major storyline and you can't give too much away, but what can you prelude to? A little sneak preview for the viewers on what's ahead when the show returns on Jan 10th?
Pourfar- Well... I can say that Becky will be back! Huck has been taken by the Feds. We know from watching him throughout the second season, he has the strength of character and courage to face whatever he might be put through!
You have a lot of great Theater experience; tell me about your role as Sylvia on TRIBES? I know you won a Theater World Award for your performance in the role. What did you enjoy most about her and take away from that experience? Are you excited to perform her in LA next year?
Pourfar- TRIBES is a beautiful play about family and communication and inheritance. My character, Sylvia, is slowly losing her hearing and in the process, she's losing access to a way of being in the world or a way of seeing herself in relation to the world. I think most of us can relate to the loss of an earlier version of ourselves. I mean, that's the process of growing older. It's also the transition you go through after losing anything or anyone that holds major significance for you. You ask: 'Who am I now, without that thing or that person in my life?' But it's not all darkness! The genius of the writing in TRIBES is that there is a lot of humor. I love it when material manages to be deeply serious in one moment and funny in the next or funny simultaneously. This play does both!
The cast includes a stellar group of actors...I am excited to reunite with them and with our director, David Cromer, in LA. That's the best part - working with people you admire.
I ask everyone I interview this...If you could go back in time and spend a day in the life of anyone from history, who would it be and why?
Pourfar- I'm not a Buddhist so this is conjecture but: the Buddha! I think if anyone would be great at seeing the humor and depth of life simultaneously, it would be him! To really get the idea that there's no inherent good and bad and nothing to hold on to... That would be a pretty great thing to tap into when I returned to my own life!
Congrats on your success!!
Pourfar- Thank you! It's a pleasure talking to you!
Scandal returns with all new episodes tonight on ABC! @ScandalABC
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