Showtime's Penny Dreadful is a series that often likes to blur the differences between monsters and men -oftentimes portraying monsters as more human than the men themselves.
The depiction of monster and man, though, was never made more clear than in the novella Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. After drinking a chemical concoction of his own making, the polite and kind Dr. Jekyll became Mr. Hyde, a man ruled more by primal instinct and his baser nature.
Penny Dreadful, a series known for remaking such classic monsters of the Victorian age, introduced the character of Dr. Jekyll this season, portrayed by actor Shazad Latif. In an interview, Latif spoke about his depiction of the character on the series, as well as that fine - and often blurred - line that exists between monsters and men.
Dr. Jekyll is a classic character that often appears on TV and in film throughout history. How did you approach playing such an iconic character?
It is always a daunting experience to take on such a role. I watched couple of old versions, the Fredric March 1930's version and the Spencer Tracy one, but also recent ones. Then in terms of approaching the role, [Penny Dreadful creator] John Logan had such a fresh vision and take on the character that the portrayal was set up for me. I don't think we have seen a mixed race Jekyll before, and all credit to John for going down a route that historically makes so much sense now that we see it.
As we've seen in the first two episodes, Dr. Jekyll has some history with Dr. Frankenstein. Can you elaborate on their backstory and relationship?
Frankenstein and Jekyll are old Cambridge buddies. Both were bullied and outcasts at school. Loners who are each other's only friend. They both excel in their respective fields and there is a competitiveness regarding their work.
So traditionally, Jekyll has a dark side, Mr. Hyde. How will viewers get to see that side of the character this season?
I don't want to reveal too much, but the anger already resides in Jekyll, we see him build up this anger and release it.
Penny Dreadful often holds up a mirror to humanity and blurs the line of what is and isn't a monster. Where do you feel Dr. Jekyll fits into that definition of what a monster is and isn't?
Through one's own pain and history, we create the monsters within ourselves. There is good and the absence of good in Dr. Jekyll. Light and the absence of light. Not simple evil. There is a fine line for the crossover of being a monster. Anger and pain cause us to do bad things. But as one of the episode titles tell, our good and evil braided be.
What has been your favorite part about portraying this character so far?
My favorite part was working with a script written by John Logan, who was already one of my most-loved writers. Being able to deliver monologues and duologues written by him was a pleasure.
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Penny Dreadful airs at 10 p.m. EDT Sundays on Showtime.
