First Generation Superhero
Can Superman’s grandfather be cooler than Superman? Cameron Cuffe, who plays the latter in “Krypton,” certainly makes it look that way
Can Superman’s grandfather be cooler than Superman? Cameron Cuffe, who plays the latter in “Krypton,” certainly makes it look that way
Photography Mitchell Nguyen McCormack
After running for more than a decade, the current generation of superhero films is starting to show its age. Some are hits, plenty are misses—especially on TV. Syfy’s “Krypton” is definitely a hit. And a big part of this success story is English actor Cameron Cuffe, who plays Superman’s grandfather. So, what is it like being part of a hit in what is an increasingly volatile field? We’ll let the man himself tell his tale.
DAMAN: Hi, Cameron. Awesome to have you with us. How are you doing?
Cameron Cuffe: I’m really well. Thanks for having me!
DA: It’s been quite a while since “Krypton” finished its first run. Today, what do you remember the most about the series?
CC: It’s hard to think about what I remember because it’s all still happening! Once we finished filming season one we went straight into promotion. Immediately after we were finished with promotion we were on the air. Before we even left the air we were confirmed for our second season and that’s when the work all started again. I’m gearing up to go back now! It’s a rollercoaster that has no end in sight, so it’s difficult to take a breather and look at the process retrospectively.
DA: If we could go back to the start of it all, how did you end up landing the lead role of “Krypton”?
CC: It was a long journey. I was still playing supporting roles in theatre and British TV, so when I got an audition for the lead role of an epic science fiction show I was almost certain I wouldn’t get the part. I kind of felt I had nothing to lose so I did a tape and was called in to meet Colm McCarthy, who directed the pilot, and I auditioned for him. We had a great chat and I gave a solid audition, but honestly, I was just happy to be in the running. I didn’t think anything would come of it. Sure enough, I was turned down ... but it never really went away. Every few weeks I was being asked for another tape. Eventually, I was working on another TV show in New York when casting asked to bring me in to screen test for Seg-El. I was whisked from a set in Brooklyn all the way to the Warner Bros. lot in Los Angeles where I met David Goyer—a hero of mine and the show’s creator. It was a surreal experience but I still didn’t think I’d get it. So I just told myself to have a bit of fun with it. The scene they wanted me to play was quite serious but I recognized there was a bit of humor in it, that as much as the character could be played earnest and idealistic, he could equally be played as a loveable rogue. I gave my take on the character and, despite my disbelief that my gamble paid off, a few days later I was filming the pilot in Serbia.
DA: What would you say was the biggest challenges in playing this role?
CC: “Krypton” was the biggest thing I’d ever done. I’d never been a lead before, let alone a lead in a show of this size. I was really nervous until I remembered that all I had to do was keep doing what I’d done since I was a kid. It didn’t matter that the stage was bigger. All I had to do was play and play for the love of the game. Sure, it was, and still is, a big challenge to take on but I love every minute of it. I’m surrounded by an amazing cast and crew who have taught me a huge amount. I’m endlessly grateful for this whole experience.
DA: Your character, Seg-El, did appear in a number of comic books, but he’s never been fleshed out the way it’s done in “Krypton.” So, we were wondering, how much of the Seg-El we see on the show comes from the writers and how much of him is your interpretation?
CC: I think every character is a marriage of both. It all starts with the writers, of course, lead by our incredible showrunner Cameron Welsh. Everything brilliant and bold and fascinating about “Krypton” starts with them. It’s their world and their story and it’s our responsibility to bring it to life. As far as what I brought to Seg, I think it’s fair to say that in the initial pilot script he seemed very innocent and honest, and I wanted to mix it up a little. A lot of lines that could be played really earnestly could be played sarcastically. A lot of lines that demonstrate selfseriousness can be played in a way that is self-deprecating. By the time we went from making the pilot to filming the full season, the writers had taken that ball and ran with it. It’s been a massive collaboration, and it’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the job. I have to thank the writers from the bottom of my heart for humoring my wild ideas.
DA: Now, TV series based on comic book franchises have been a bit hit-and-miss. “Krypton,” while lacking any mainstream heroes, manages to be well received. What do you think are the key factors behind this success?
CC: The superhero genre has been around for a while now and we’re at a point where we can start to play with the formula a bit. I think our show is a success because we’re not afraid to do things differently. We love the mythology. I think that’s clear to anyone who has watched the show. But we’re also not afraid to take it in a new direction. We love subverting expectation. But it’s not simply changing things for the sake of changing things. I think that fans recognize that we’re changing things in a way that suggests that we know and love what has come before, and we’re presenting a new spin on it. We’re asking “what if?” And that’s always an exciting question.
DA: And, of course, we were all quite excited to hear that the second season has been confirmed for next year. Is there anything you can tell us about what to expect from “Krypton” season two?
CC: One of the things that sets us apart from other superhero shows is that our show is very much about consequence. The fallout from season one will continue on into season two. The history of the multiverse has changed. This is no longer a prequel heading towards a defined end. This is an alternate universe that can go in any direction and that means our characters are constantly questioning themselves and the new future they’re creating. It’s a dangerous path they’re on ... and not all of them will make it out. I can’t wait for you guys to see what we’re working on.
DA: On the flip side, what do you expect from “Krypton” season two? What do you think will the show bring to the genre this time around?
CC: That’s a great question! Firstly, I’d say we’re in completely uncharted territory in the DC multiverse, we can go in any direction. Also, since we’ve done the work of introducing the characters and the world in season one, we now get to take a much deeper dive in Season two. We’ll dig further into who these characters are, what they stand for and what drives them. These things will in turn drive the story. But at the same time, as I expect it to be character driven, I expect it to be bigger and badder than ever before. I’m training now as hard as I’ve ever trained and that tells me one thing ... there’s going to be action. Lots of it.