Descent into ‘Darkness’
Power shifts as TNT’s hit ‘Alienist’ returns
As Lazlo Kreizler, a pioneering psychoanalyst in 1890s New York City in TNT’s hit miniseries “The Alienist,” Daniel Brühl played the title role — as psychiatrists were then called – as a kind of Sherlock Holmes of the mind.
“The Alienist: Angel of Darkness,” Sunday’s second chapter, which is also adapted from a Caleb Carr bestseller, changes the landscape slightly while remaining on Manhattan’s often mean streets.
“Tonally it’s a different show — and that was fun for us actors,” he said.
Now there’s a change among the crime-solving trio of brainy, methodical Kreizler, dogged, daring New York Times reporter John Moore (Luke Evans) and determined, self-possessed Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), who now runs her own detective agency.
“The characters come back together for a compelling mysterious case but things have changed. There’s been a power shift and now Sara is in charge.”
The disturbing case involves the Spanish ambassador’s kidnapped infant, the latest in a string of homicidal child kidnappings.
“Ultimately,” Brühl, 42, said, “he realizes Sara has the qualities to be the leader of that new venture.
“It was interesting for me to explore a different kind of Kreizler. Emotionally, he’s there to open up a bit more, to even up to experience. There’s going to be someone we meet who becomes an interesting ally.
“Generally speaking,” the Barcelona-born, German actor added, “this second new season felt more universal and more current than the first one.
“Also since we’ve established the characters, the show and the world they inhabit, we could accelerate and have a different drive and punch.”
Brühl was first cast as Kreizler in 2016, months before filming began on a completely new, massive set erected in Belgrade. Asked about a third season, he acknowledged he’s not quite ready to bid farewell to the good doctor.
“I remember how relieved and how happy I was two summers ago to get to do a second season. I guess we’d be happy to come back for a third — or fourth. But there are no plans.”
One role he’s returning to for sure is Helmut Zemo in the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
“We started shooting in Atlanta last year, right after I finished ‘Alienist’ and we had to pause due to COVID.
“Hopefully we’ll get back to work later this year to finish.”