It's a brave new world in JEREMIAH, the new Showtime sci-fi adventure series co-produced by BABYLON 5's J. Michael Straczynski and THE OUTER LIMITS' Sam Egan. Based on a series of graphic novels by Hermann Huppen, JEREMIAH follows the title character's journey as he searches for his father in a post-apocalyptic world. Everyone over the age of 12 has died from a mysterious plague 15 years earlier, and the children have risen from the ashes to build a new world. But what will Jeremiah and his new friend Kurdy find as they travel from settlement to settlement in search of answers? Series star Luke Perry is as in the dark as anyone.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner (left) and Luke Perry star in the comic book adaptation JEREMIAH
© 2002 Showtime
"I can honestly tell you that I don't know," says Perry. "Our show runner Joe [Straczynski] doesn't tell anyone anything about story. It pisses me off sometimes, because I feel like I need to know. He's big on not playing the end result, so if you don't know, you can't think."
While Perry may be frustrated with his lack of information, he can attest to the fact that the series is pushing the boundaries thanks to its cable berth. Now working on the 14th episode of the first season (which will consist of a two hour premiere and 18 regular one hour episodes), Perry sees the show developing as it delves deeper into Jeremiah's world.
"Compared to the stuff we're doing now, the pilot looks pretty tame," says Perry. "Now with some of the action and the sexual push of things. I don't know if you know Russell Mulcahy, the director, but he's nuts."
Tame or not, series co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner is enjoying every minute of the experience.
Jeremiah's only memories of his father are of the times spent on the lake fishing
© 2002 Showtime
"It's great for me," says Warner. "I've been wanting to do a single camera show for a while. It gives me a chance to actually act. The sitcom stuff, because I've been doing it for half of my life, it's dear to me, but there are definitely more challenges as an actor. So it's a great forum for me to work on my craft. I'm having fun."
Warner's character of Kurdy often serves as the "comic relief" in the series, a role he initially resisted.
"I was fighting that because I wanted to do away with any traces of comedy," says Warner. "But in the end I just can't help it. Still, any good drama has its elements of humor. I've learned to embrace it and not fight it. I keep that in my toolbox with the other tools I use."
Perry's main focus is on character as well, which isn't easy considering the otherworldly setting in which Jeremiah must roam this isn't Beverly Hills.
"It's interesting; I always try to find an action to pursue," says Perry. "I've never played a character that always wanted to do the right thing before. Most of the characters that I've played would take the easy way or the more self-serving way. Jeremiah has a good moral compass. I thought that was interesting because I'd be like, 'See ya!' I'd be running."
Jeremiah (Luke Pery) set atop the dystopic backdrop of a world gone wild
© 2002 Showtime
Perry will also be running into some familiar faces, like former 90210 costars Jason Priestly andperhapsShannon Doherty.
"Jason Priestly actually comes in on my favorite episode, and he plays this bad-ass crazy cat who's taken over this military base and he's just bombing towns," says Warner. "It's crazy."
And the infamous Ms. Doherty?
"We're working on getting her up," says Warner. "With Luke and me, because we work together on a weekly basis, I'm used to him. But working with Jason, it's like 'Wow, this is the 90210 guy!'"
Another aspect of the series that thrills Warner is the physicality of the part.
"The cool part is that Kurdy likes to kick ass," says Warner. "I like that because I train all the time anyway weight training and boxing so it's good to have a role where I can put that to use. It lends itself to a lot of creative fighting, because these people would be creative street fighters."
Check back tomorrow for part two of our JEREMIAH profile.
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