WV actor lays down the law on The Bridge
By: Jerome Turner
Date: April 16, 2010
Source: North Shore News
Aaron Douglas keeps it real in post Battlestar Galactica world
North Vancouver actor Aaron Douglas stars as Frank Leo in the new CTV series The Bridge. Photograph by : NEWS photo Mike Wakefield
Best known in science-fiction circles for his role as Chief Gaylen Tyrol in the Battlestar Galactica series, Douglas likes to play Canada’s game in his ever-shrinking spare time.
Growing up admiring players like Richard Brodeur, Kirk McLean and Ron Hextall solidified his choice to be a goalie, and also illustrates his pull toward the spotlight.
“I think I like the fact that I am always on the ice,” says Douglas. “I can be the hero or the goat.”
Douglas compares his style of goaltending to Ron Hextall, especially when protecting the sanctity of the sacred blue ice.
“If you got near (Hextall’s) crease, he’d chop you down like a big oak. I like that guy,” says Douglas. “I don’t know if I’ve broken any ankles, but I’ve chopped a lot of people down that’s for sure.”
His netminding skills and celebrity status got him into this year’s Gordie Howe Pro-Am in Edmonton April 10-11, where he faced shots from former NHL stars like Lanny McDonald, Glen Anderson, Wendel Clark and Paul Coffee. The event raised $1 million for Alzheimer’s research.
Having played an event like this before, he did what he could to recover from an injury sustained four years ago.
“I tore my groin playing in Whistler,” says Douglas. “I’ve been scrambling to try and get back in playing weight so I can stand up and make a save.”
For rest and relaxation he likes to head to the North Shore.
“Whenever I get a chance, I come home.” said Douglas. “It’s my favorite place to be in the world. It’s nice and quiet.”
While filming season one of The Bridge in Toronto Douglas swapped houses with Canucks back-up goalie Andrew Raycroft, but this does not mean he has any kinship with the Maple Leafs.
“I would never cheer for the Leafs. I am an unabashed Leaf-hater,” he says. “The Canucks will always be my boys.”
When he is not stopping Hall of Famers, filming or at home; he is fulfilling the needs of his loyal fan base from his former role in BSG at comic conventions around the world.
Last month he was in Seattle, earlier this month he was in San Fancisco and will be in Chicago from April 19-22.
He attends functions regularly and because of his openness his followers may have crossed over to The Bridge.
“Everybody that watched BSG will watch at least one episode of whatever show former BSG actors move on to just to see if it’s their kind of thing,” says Douglas.
The Bridge posted the largest audience for a Canadian drama when it drew more than a million viewers for the two-hour premiere March 5.
Leo, Douglas’ character, is the centre of the fast-paced show that is loosely based on former Metro Toronto policeman Craig Bromell, who is also a writer and producer of The Bridge.
Douglas received tips on how a cop moves and where his equipment goes from Bromell and everything else is from the script.
“My character follows Craig’s ascension,” says Douglas. “But I don’t play Craig. I play, Frank Leo, the character as I see him.”
Leo is voted union representative after suggesting a lock-in strike in support of two colleagues being wrongfully accused. After most cops in the city support the cause the two cops have their charges dropped.
Corruption has infiltrated the Metro force and Leo becomes a target because of his ability to do the right thing as union rep.
No mention is ever made to what city The Bridge occurs.
“It’s big city cops in anytown U.S.A.” says Douglas.
CBS is partner in producing the show, but no date has been set for release on American television.
The Bridge runs every Friday night at 10 p.m. PST.