James McDaniel Calls His "Detroit 1-8-7" Role His "Most Emotional Work Yet" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 03-15-2011, 01:00 PM

VIDEO: "Detroit 1-8-7's" James McDaniel Calls Role Some of His Most Emotional Work Yet
Mar 15, 2011
by Robyn Ross

James McDaniel, who's been acting more than 32 years, calls his role on ABC's "Detroit 1-8-7" some of the most deeply emotional work he's ever done.

The "NYPD Blue" alum stars on the gritty cop drama as Sgt. Longford, who's planning to retire — although, in recent episodes, he's been reconsidering his decision.

In the interview below, he shares a sneak peek into the remaining episodes, including the introduction of the son of Louis Fitch (Michael Imperioli).

So you play Sgt. Longford... why don't you tell us a little bit about your character.

He's a lifer. He's been a detective on the streets of Detroit for 30 years. He's up for retirement.

You know he's burnt... he's burned out.

He's reconsidering retirement it seems?

Um yeah... I think that. I think as my series loop comes to an end I think that's his major arc, you know what is he going to do with the rest of his life?

Is he going to retire to Tuscany? He speaks fluent Italian and his dream was to move to Tuscany with his wife. His wife died a few years prior but he still wants to keep that dream of moving down to Tuscany.

So that's the tricky bit.

You only have a few episodes left. There's been a lot of different arcs between your character and the whole Stone and what's been going on with his back-story.

Fitch's son is coming... so give us a little tease on what we can expect.

Well I can't really talk to the whole Stone thing... but I can speak to Michael Imperioli's arc.

We start to ask the question and answer the question as to how he actually got to Detroit from New York; why he left what he left behind and what forces drove him out of that city.

Me and him, in particular, come to kind of a fun conclusion in that regard. That's kind of action packed. It comes to my retirement arc which, after 32 years, is some of the most deeply emotional work that I've ever done.

We deal with my partner's arranged Indian bride... we straighten that out (laughing) that was a lot of fun.

There's a lot coming in these last episodes. I think the fans will be very pleased.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Detroit-...l-1030698.aspx

03-15-2011, 01:00 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,275	James McDaniel Calls His "Detroit 1-8-7" Role His "Most Emotional Work Yet" *VIDEO: "Detroit 1-8-7's" James McDaniel Calls Role Some of His Most Emotional Work Yet* Mar 15, 2011 by Robyn Ross James McDaniel, who's been acting more than 32 years, calls his role on ABC's "Detroit 1-8-7" some of the most deeply emotional work he's ever done. The "NYPD Blue" alum stars on the gritty cop drama as Sgt. Longford, who's planning to retire — although, in recent episodes, he's been reconsidering his decision. In the interview below, he shares a sneak peek into the remaining episodes, including the introduction of the son of Louis Fitch (Michael Imperioli). So you play Sgt. Longford... why don't you tell us a little bit about your character. He's a lifer. He's been a detective on the streets of Detroit for 30 years. He's up for retirement. You know he's burnt... he's burned out. He's reconsidering retirement it seems? Um yeah... I think that. I think as my series loop comes to an end I think that's his major arc, you know what is he going to do with the rest of his life? Is he going to retire to Tuscany? He speaks fluent Italian and his dream was to move to Tuscany with his wife. His wife died a few years prior but he still wants to keep that dream of moving down to Tuscany. So that's the tricky bit. You only have a few episodes left. There's been a lot of different arcs between your character and the whole Stone and what's been going on with his back-story. Fitch's son is coming... so give us a little tease on what we can expect. Well I can't really talk to the whole Stone thing... but I can speak to Michael Imperioli's arc. We start to ask the question and answer the question as to how he actually got to Detroit from New York; why he left what he left behind and what forces drove him out of that city. Me and him, in particular, come to kind of a fun conclusion in that regard. That's kind of action packed. It comes to my retirement arc which, after 32 years, is some of the most deeply emotional work that I've ever done. We deal with my partner's arranged Indian bride... we straighten that out (laughing) that was a lot of fun. There's a lot coming in these last episodes. I think the fans will be very pleased. http://www.tvguide.com/News/Detroit-...l-1030698.aspx Attached Images