Exclusive interview with Eion Bailey

July 6, 2012 | On last season's smash hit "Once Upon a Time" viewers learned that fairytales don't always have a happy ending. All the more reason to await what will happen in season 2 with anticipation. We had the chance to catch up with Eion Bailey, who plays the mysterious August W. Booth on "Once Upon a Time". Eion not only tells us about his character on the show but also about his former work and has some interesting theories.

The interview contains spoilers about the last episodes of season 1.

Note: © myFanbase 2012 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first 2 questions or up to 160 characters if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the writer's name and link to this site.
Foto: Eion Bailey - Copyright: Eion Bailey
Eion Bailey
© Eion Bailey

1. How much did you know about your role on "Once upon a time" when you auditioned?

Nothing more than what was stated in his entrance, a stranger, rides in on a motorcycle, typewriter inside a wooden box. I created my own character history from that information, and then I had to change it all when I found out who my character was four episodes later.

2. At what point did you learn about your fairytale character? And do you hope to be able to play your character in the fairytale world sometime?

I caught a false statement in the text, something August said that I knew to be untrue, I asked the writers about it and they decided they couldn't keep the secret from me any longer. They had an interesting plan, they were never honest with me about anything, as far as I can tell, which on some level, they must have thought was a clever way to deal with the actor playing Pinocchio.

3. Do you follow the fan theories about the characters and storylines? Do you and your cast mates yourself spin some theories?

Sure, sometimes, I'm happy to hear someone's theory, in person, I like seeing people excited about their own ideas and all the ways it reveals how they see the world, but online there are just too many, it confuses things.

4. Fans of the show pick up every single detail. Does that affect your work as an actor?

"God is in the details" or the devil, take your pick.

ABC sent your name alongside with your co-star Jared Gilmore to the Emmy Board for "consideration". We keep our fingers crossed that you'll get nominated. When and how did you find out about that?

Just now, thank you.

Foto: Eion Bailey - Copyright: Eion Bailey
Eion Bailey
© Eion Bailey

6. Your character on "Covert Affairs" is still a pretty mysterious one. Are there any plans for you to turn up again in season 3?

Doubtful, Ben Mercer thinks the CIA is run by shitheads and prefers snorkeling in the Bikini atoll.

7. Why do you think Annie is so facinated by Ben and vice versa?

Because she also knows the CIA is run by shitheads and secretly wishes she were snorkeling in the Bikini atoll, with Ben.

8. If you could give Ben any storyline on the show, in what situation would we be seeing him?

He would somehow appear in a parellel universe where people and stories are seen through a three-dimensional prism. In this universe, "terrorists" could be seen as "freedom fighters" with nothing more to lose, there families and dreams destroyed by bombs and economic strangulation. The CIA could be seen as a "Lynch Mob", ready and willing to corrupt and destroy anything that interferes with American capitalist business interests. In this universe, Ben might come out of hiding and play, but for now, the two dimensional universe is simply to flat to peak his interest, he'd rather drink cold beer and howl at the moon.

9. You played Pvt. David Kenyon Webster on HBO's miniseries "Band of Brothers". Can you tell us a little bit about the experience and your thoughts on the show?

Somebody once said to all of us on the show "This will be one of the highlights of your entire life". That person was right.

10. The "Buffy" episode "The Pack" was your second acting job. What do you remember from that time?

Hyenas are cute but fratricidal.

11. Your first movie was "Fight Club" with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. What's you most abiding memory of working on that movie?

The people, I had a dream about Edward Norton the other night, David Fincher is meticulous, Meat Loaf is loving, Brad Pitt laughs alot.

12. Do you still work on the project "Imagine This! TV"? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

This is the best thing I have ever been a part of, also the most challenging. I encourage anyone who reads this, especially Germans, to go to our website, www.imaginethistv.com, watch the pilot episode, and join our community so we can inform you when we start our next project (starting "Kickstarter" campaign soon. This kind of storytelling is radically different from what is on tv now, It cannot be done without the support of people around the world, in fact it is the only way it can be done.

Thank you, Eion, we wish you all the best for your future!

Annika Leichner - myFanbase