Playing terrorists on TV’s Homeland has been no picnic for two stars of the Showtime hit.
Fans of The Show Get Physical
Emmy winner DAMIAN LEWIS — whose character Nicholas Brody is a Marine sergeant “turned” by a terrorist group, was nearly punched out at a barbecue in Charlotte, N.C., where “Homeland” is filmed.
Actor Blames “Southern Boys” and Beer
“A bunch of Southern boys were there drinking beer,” the 41-year-old actor recalled. “One of them comes up to me and says, ‘So you’re playing a terrorist?'”
When Lewis replied that he wasn’t sure, he says the guy “looked me in the eye, slightly drunk — and I thought, ‘I’m about to get my head pulverized.'”
Fortunately, the boozed-up barbecue guest walked away, leaving Damian to declare: “I must be doing something right if people think my acting is that convincing!”
Hit with Critics AND Viewers
Homeland has been a hit with both critics and viewers. It won both Golden Globe and Emmy awards for best drama series, and its Season 2 premiere drew more than 2 million viewers, up a whopping 60 percent from its debut last year.
But Lewis isn’t the only actor on the show whose role nearly caused him trouble in real life.
Navid Negahban Also Under Scrutiny
Iranian-born actor NAVID NEGAHBAN plays terrorist Abu Nazir and came under scrutiny when a suspicious customs agent asked the scruffy-looking star what he did for a living. “I was so tired I said, ‘Well, lately I’ve been playing a most-wanted terrorist on TV,'” Negahban recalled.
Fortunately, the customs officer finally recognized him. “He looks at me and he says, ‘Oh, my god! I just saw the season finale and I love the show!'” continued Negahban.
‘Look, Abu Nazir is here!’
“Then he turns around and tells the other agents, ‘Look, Abu Nazir is here!'”
