How did it feel working on those stories?
So when I read the pilot, I honestly was blown away.
This is a subject that none of us can avoid in this country.
Michael Chiklis in the ‘Scott’s Story’ episode of ‘Accused.‘Steve Wilkie/Fox
Its just madness at this point.
At least, it did for me.
What would you do?
From left: Oakes Fegley and Michael Chiklis.Steve Wilkie/Fox
How could you respond to that?
Especially if you did everything within legal boundaries?
I love it when storytelling entertains you, but it also makes you think and feel.
I think thats the trifecta for me.
I just dont like it when people sort of benignly watch something.
Its so much more important to me that theyre moved.
I was very passionate about both of these pieces.
Now, that one really spun me out.
I was both nervous and very excited to take it on.
Howard wasnt interested in taking a position politically.
I just was thrilled by the performances that I got out of my cast.
I feel like Im finally at a point where I have some things to say.
Especially when Jacks Story is addressing such a profoundly sensitive subject.
CHIKLIS: You have to be incredibly communicative.
You have to listen a lot [as a director].
I think being an actor, were naturally empathetic.
So, you attempt to walk a mile in another persons shoes every time you take on a role.
These are incredibly nuanced, complex questions thatAccusedwas taking on.
Or, certainly, its on life support.
Everythings either this or that, black or white.
Thats not the way things are.
Things get very, very complicated in life and not so easily explained away or not so easily dismissed.
We tend to make snap judgments.
We see a headline and make a judgment about a person without really delving into whats happened.
Its just so palpable.
It was just a joy actually to do something really smart and thoughtful, and nuanced.
DEADLINE: With Scotts Story theres so much emotional turmoil from the beginning.
Its so difficult to imagine being in that position, like you said.
As a parent, how did that inform your approach to this script?
CHIKLIS: Its an impossible set of ideas.
Theres got to be a problem with the parents.
They have to have been responsible for it in some way.
But, like in every family, theres people who are struggling for a number of reasons.
We tend to look away from those people so often, mainly out of self-preservation.
That was just a brutal place to go as an actor, as a father, as a human.
Otherwise, the conceit doesnt work.
I just thought it was another fascinating question.
Thats what I actually really appreciated about Jacks Story.
I cant imagine how that felt as an actor.
Its my experience traveling around this planet that people are essentially the same.
They want the same things.
They want a roof over their head, food on their table and education for their kid.
They want to feel safe and protected and heard and validated.
And I love storytelling that advocates for that.
I think thats the very core [of this show].
Its tragic, especially for internet television.
Its just a nice reminder that you might do things on broadcast and be powerful.
That was my reason for coming into it.
Its the material and whos doing it, and then from there, it just builds on itself.
