Tahmoh answers your questions about other TV shows, down time, and reading

Tahmoh has answered three more questions posted by All About Tahmoh Penikett readers. See the question list here, and add others to it if you'd like.


Is there a show currently on T.V. that you would love to guest star on? If so, what would you like your character to be or do?

"I'd love to do a bit on Dexter as I think it's a kick ass show with great writing and a really strong cast. I'd also love to do a part on In Treatment. I've only seen a few episodes, but the writing is exceptional and to be able to do an entire ep if not a few with Gabriel Byrne would be such an amazing experience. The characters on that show are so well written with some many layers and colors. Also, an opportunity to be on any of my BSG cast mates shows like Aaron Douglas's The Bridge and Grace [Park]'s show The Border would be awesome."

What do you like to do during down time on set? Do you stay in character? Memorize lines?

"Down time for me is almost always studying lines if there's some still to be memorized, or I read. I've always got a good book with me. I try to stay in character or in the space that I need to be if we're in the middle of an intense scene and we have to break for lunch, for instance. Really emotional and intense scenes for me sometimes require that I stay in that emotional space, and I go back to my trailer until we're ready to go again."

Joss Whedon gave an interview and mentioned that you brought up Never Let Me Go when you heard about the premise of Dollhouse. I’ve also read somewhere that you’re an avid reader. Do you find that books are valuable tools in helping gain insight and understanding into a particular emotion, story arc, or character? If so, were there any books that really resonated with you while filming BSG?

"A good book will consume my focus, so much so that I don't want to put it down till I'm done. Because of work and responsibilities I often can't read it in one sitting. I've learned so much over the years from the books I've read. It's always a rich and learning experience as a good writer fleshes out layered characters and let's you into their minds. I'd be lying if I said I haven't used on numerous occasions from the things that I've read. There's one book in particular that resonated with me tremendously while I was filming BSG, Shake Hands With the Devil. Romeo Dallair wrote this book many years after he was in Rwanda as Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). It's an incredibly graphic account of his time in Rwanda when more than 800,000 people were slaughtered in a hundred days. It's a personal account but chiefly deals with genocide and the failure of the international community to stop it. I don't know that I've ever been so emotionally affected by a book other than this. The obvious parallels between the subject matter with BSG made it something I could easily access. It's an important read but one that I suggest you know you're ready for."

Remember, Dollhouse will not air on October 16 but will return with a new episode on October 23.

Pictures in this post courtesy of Livejournal user dragonlady981 via the community Tahmoh_Daily (you must be a member to view the comm).