Jeffrey Wright of Westworld sat with the LA Times during the Envelope’s Emmy Contender series to discuss the elbow grease he put into making season 2 a success.
Wright’s works hard on Westworld playing both Arnold, the co-creator of Westworld, and Bernard, his robotic double. The Academy of Television Arts and Science recognized the genius behind Wright’s portrayals and nominated him for an Emmy for Lead Actor.
Wright has his work cut out for him as he has to depict both Bernard and Arnold and nail his performances so that there are distinct differences between the two characters. The little things that make them different are most noticeable through his relationship with Dolores.
While Dolores has a sweet spot for Arnold, she noticeably holds some contempt for the host that’s based on him. Even so, Dolores can’t wholly hate Bernard because he’s all she has left of Arnold. Wright credits his chemistry with Evan Rachel Wood as the contributing factor to some of their best on-screen performances:
"“I love working with Evan as Bernard or Arnold. I just love the intimacy we’ve explored, and I describe [those diagnostic scenes] as kind of a dual meditation between Arnold and her. Really intimate and subtle and nuanced and very internal. … We’re almost inside of one another, which is the nature of that relationship.”"
The rest of the work that brought it altogether consisted of exceptional writing, direction, and teamwork. Wright says that the Westworld work culture is respectful and encouraging. Despite working some 18 hours days and riding to work in his Bernard costume looking like a host leaking cortical fluid while in Los Angeles, Wright says that he thoroughly enjoys it all even the labor and is excited about Westworld’s journey.
Westworld’s ability to continue to attract an audience after the first season, Wright says, has a lot to do with the fact that the complexities and multiple timelines of the show aren’t set up to sadistically torture viewers.
"“We’re with you, you know. We are with you. When we are working on this thing we’re trying to pull back these weird psychedelic onions as well.”"
The first season ended with a satisfying resolution and the story that has developed is exploring technology and within all those layers there are mysteries. He suggests that if viewers are willing to surrender the way the actors have then it will pay off.