RUPERT REID
The 45-year-old actor joins the cast of The Heights for its second season (starts Thu., Mar. 12 at 8pm; ABC), taking over the role of Pav, who was previously played by Marcus Graham.
Have you had to take over playing a character from another actor before? This is the first time I’ve taken on an established character on a TV show. It’s rare for this to happen but it’s very common in theatre, where every role has been played by another actor at some point in history – unless it’s an original work, of course.
Do you know Marcus Graham? Did you talk to him about the role at all? I’ve known Marcus and loved his work for years. I was also a fan of his work on The Heights so it felt like I was stepping into a character I had great respect for. I contacted Marcus to say how excited I was to be continuing in his footsteps, and he was incredibly generous and supportive of me. What has the experience been like of making Pav your own?
The role was so well set-up and beautifully written that stepping into it felt really easy. The first season saw him in a good place but the second season sees him at a rock bottom of sorts. Being able to take a character through the process of rebuilding his life and surmounting the mistakes of his past was a really fun way to start. Sounds like there’s a lot in store for Pav in Season 2.
There is! Pav has been confronted by the news that he’s the father of Patch, which has rocked both his world and his family’s. He’s tried hard to make things work with Claudia (Roz Hammond) but she makes it clear he has to get his life in order before she’d ever consider being with him. It’s a hard pill to swallow while copping it from everyone who feels like he’s betrayed their trust. Pav’s relationship with his family is the core of who he is and we see him fight to regain their respect and love, especially Mich’s (Calen Tassone) who feels like his world has also come undone.