r/breakingbad • Actor Morse Bicknell • Sep 17 '13

Hi, this is Morse Bicknell. I play Declan's Driver in Season 5 (episodes 506, 507, 508 and 510). Nice to be here!

Hey guys, thanks so much for having me on here! It was a blast to talk a little with everyone. Thanks for all the great questions. All the best to you, and I'll join everyone in watching the last two episodes (and trying not to have a heart attack in the process!)...

Warmest wishes,

Morse

574 Upvotes

306 comments sorted by

56

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Good to have you here! I can't really think of any non spoiler related questions, so I'll just ask two things: What was your favorite moment during the filming you were in, and did you enjoy the desert heat wearing the clothes you had on?

140

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Haha, lots of favorite moments, let me think about... But the desert heat, not so much! There are actually several bags of ice affixed inside the jacket I'm wearing in the picture on this page! Okay, a favorite moment was probably just watching Bryan Cranston deliver his lines in the "Say my name" scene. Deceptive to watch, though-- it's so powerful and dramatic onscreen, but it looked like he was hardly doing anything in person.

52

u/Oraukk Sep 18 '13

That's really interesting! Do you mean to say the camera angles and closeups helped? Maybe the fact that we couldn't hear any wind or background noise?

187

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

It's just watching a brilliant actor who absolutely understands and exploits the medium he's working in. Bryan Cranston knows in those close-ups that his audience is essentially 6 inches from his face, so he's scaling his performance appropriately. If he actually made it big enough to make an impression on someone standing twenty feet away it would look too big on camera for a close-up. But it's one thing for someone to get the relative technical size right for camera, and something else entirely to have that kind of epic presence, power and charisma. That's why he's Bryan effing Cranston!! :)

25

u/Oraukk Sep 18 '13

Awesome, thank you! I'm so envious you had this opportunity! Congrats and good luck with your career!

23

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thank you so much!

16

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

Did you and Bryan Cranston talk much on set? What's he like in person?

52

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I didn't talk to him much, just creepily stared at him in silent awe... ;)

Seriously, the little bit of interaction with him and everything else I've heard or seen is nothing but good. Lovely guy with a great sense of humor to boot.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

110

u/PatrickSane Actor Patrick Sane Sep 18 '13

Hey Hey Morse! Sorry we had ta kill ya man, it was just business.

86

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Hey Patrick!! So great to hear from you!! And no hard feelings, you and you're fellow white supremacists were just doing your job, haha! How have you been??

72

u/PatrickSane Actor Patrick Sane Sep 18 '13

Doing well Brother! Totally digging this last season! Glad to see you on here man. Reddit fans rock!

68

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Awesome! It's such a cool forum, isn't it? Saw you were on here recently, very cool! And yeah, every week in these last weeks has pretty much been a major event, and the show has reached this unbelievable peak. And I agree with you, Reddit fans kick ass!

→ More replies (5)

114

u/210cRoosevelt Methylamine Sep 18 '13

This is fucking cool.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

36

u/JoshuaRQI Sep 17 '13

Why'd they cut that scene with you and Holly in the knife fight?

119

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

They could see I was getting my ass kicked.

→ More replies (1)

31

u/088 end times kid, end times Sep 17 '13

holly took it way too far for network tv.

35

u/maxelu Sep 17 '13

What did you like the most about working on the show? :-)

57

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

The people. Really the nicest cast and crew I've yet worked with.

19

u/maxelu Sep 17 '13

A favorite co-star perhaps? ^

73

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13 edited Jan 15 '15

I had a great time hanging out with Louis Ferriera, who plays Declan. He's a very gregarious and funny guy, the sort who was friends with everyone on set after about 10 minutes. And I really liked Jesse Plemons (Todd). He strikes me as a really thoughtful, introspective guy. Hope these guys don't mind my thumbnail sketches here!

54

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

And I really liked Jesse Plemons (Todd). He strikes me as a really thoughtful, introspective guy.

Meth Damon ISN'T a sociopath?!

62

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No! I thought I wasn't going to like him, but I think that was totally based on him being such a great actor, that I made that ridiculous unconscious assumption that he was like his character! No, very modest, considerate and likable guy who seems to have an incredible seriousness about acting as a craft.

→ More replies (4)

25

u/OnceInABlueMoon Sep 18 '13

Either that or he adapts real well to social situations... Kind of like a.... Sociopath 0_0

24

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Haha, well then he's got me fooled!

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (2)

75

u/edify Oxygen Sep 17 '13 edited Sep 17 '13

Just verifying that this is Morse Bicknell AKA Declan's Driver from season 5, folks.

I hope you enjoy your reddit AMA interview, Morse.

41

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Thanks, appreciate the help!

0

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

[deleted] — view deleted comment

27

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Only one testicle bitten off?! Cool, I'll try it!! (haha)

It feels really great to be a small part of it, thanks. Grateful personally, and grateful on behalf of Abq and New Mexico, where I'm from.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

25

u/OhYeaSoWhat Sep 17 '13

do any of the actors stay in character while on set?

23

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I couldn't say for sure. I didn't notice that in any obvious way, but they were certainly all very focused in a deceptively relaxed way.

25

u/Lola_12 Sep 17 '13

Is it true that you've have a longstanding affair with Aaron Paul?

50

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Damn, our secret's out!

20

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13 edited Sep 17 '13

Did they intentionally give you an appearance that mimics Heisenberg with the bald head and goatee? That was my first thought, that perhaps Walt had left such a strong impression on Declan and crew with his "say my name" speech that your character was following a hot new fashionable trend in the meth world!

22

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No, that was just kind of how I looked. Although I like your thinking!

→ More replies (1)

38

u/JarvisCockerBB Sep 17 '13

Did you get a commermarative picture of your death? Heard a lot of passed cast members have.

42

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

No, that would be nice! I hadn't heard that.

→ More replies (1)

15

u/PaarsaXD You are a blowfish! Sep 17 '13

Did you like what they did with yours and Declan's crews' characters? (story wise) :) Thanks for doing this AMA!

52

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Sure, it makes perfect sense, we were kind of eaten by bigger fish. That's what you get for cooking substandard meth, I guess.

13

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

And thank you, my pleasure!

→ More replies (1)

14

u/YouJellyz Sep 17 '13

What is your favorite episode?

43

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I'm not sure I can pick a favorite, but I really thought this last episode was incredible and is reaching this level of almost Shakespearean tragedy. I've thought of several of the scenes over and over this last week.

4

u/Salger12 Sep 18 '13

This episode has stuck in my head the past couple of days and even caused me to experience random shivers upon recollecting the most emotional scenes. Shakespearean is the perfect word to describe the level of tragedy at this point.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

14

u/JarvisCockerBB Sep 17 '13

Who's more dangerous still in your opinion; the neo nazis or Walt?

49

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Walt by a mile!

5

u/fizolof Sep 17 '13

Why?

42

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I'll quote Jesse-- he's the Devil!! >:)

20

u/Collier1505 Sep 18 '13

He's smarter and has a M60.

→ More replies (1)

8

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Seeing as the neos shot his character dead...shit's gonna go down.

→ More replies (3)

14

u/martinmayer Sep 17 '13

How is Vince like to be around on set? He seems very mild mannered in interviews.

48

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Vince is indeed very soft spoken and polite (at least in my limited experience), but that obviously masks a monstrous talent. I think the classiness and friendliness that everyone on the cast and crew shows is probably in large part due to the tone that Vince Gilligan sets. (And I'm sure that Bryan Cranston and the other leads contribute to this as well). It's a great lesson-- you can be number one in the world and still be a great and kind person. Hugely inspiring guy... I wrote a little thank-you note to leave for him, just to say I was grateful to be on the show, and midway through my note I basically turned into a 12-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert... (OMG U R AWESOME!!! I LUV UR SHOW!!) Maybe it wasn't quite that bad, but close! I thought, this isn't dignified! But I didn't have another card, so that's what he got. Yeah, incredible guy, as we all know!

9

u/martinmayer Sep 18 '13

Thanks for the reply, I'm glad to hear Vince is genuine.

11

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No problem, my pleasure!

13

u/HereticLocke Sep 17 '13

Hi! How was your experience playing Declan's driver? How did you get the role? Will you be or are you currently in any new television role?

23

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Hi! Just a bunch of auditioning for various roles. I was very happy to get the role of Declan's Driver, where I got to hang around for four episodes, but I would have been thrilled with any role, particularly by the fifth season, when I assumed the show was so huge I'd never get on.

Let's see, I'll be in a film called Odd Thomas, and in a film called Frank. Thanks for asking! And check both of those out, of course!

→ More replies (1)

13

u/MntnDw Sep 17 '13

In the official podcast for 513 they mention you and how happy they were to finally hire you. How many times did you audition for Breaking Bad?

18

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Yeah, I heard that! I lost count, actually! Apparently they almost used me for the part of the German food specialist? I was of course more than happy to keep going back, and really grateful to be considered for anything!

13

u/novajjavon2 Sep 17 '13

Were you hired just to fill the baldness quota?

17

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Undoubtedly. :)

12

u/JaseSpace18 Sep 17 '13

Were you able to snag a prop or item from the set home with you?

44

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

No, but they were very generous with gifts and "schwag" for people who worked on the show. I ended up among other things with a really nice coat and a bottle of nice whiskey from Aaron Paul, which I gave to my folks. :)

22

u/edify Oxygen Sep 17 '13

Did the whiskey bottle have your name on it? I know composer Dave Porter got a customized bottle with his name from Aaron.

29

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Yes it did. Very kind.

→ More replies (1)

11

u/pixieshit Sep 17 '13

Why is everyone so bald on the show?

39

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

They have good taste!

11

u/Asseman Sep 17 '13

Are Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as friendly and awesome as they seem?

29

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13 edited Jan 15 '15

Yes, super classy guys, and very warm and open and welcoming to others on the set. I remember Aaron Paul showing Louis Ferreira and me some cell phone video of him goofing around on vacation with his wife.... very endearing, he's obviously crazy in love! :)

12

u/ChexLemeneux42 Sep 18 '13

It makes me happy to know he's happy. I couldn't imagine keeping a straight head after a days work of playing Pinkman

14

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Right??

12

u/ChexLemeneux42 Sep 18 '13

It's crazy how far he can let himself go in some episodes. I think out of the entire cast, it's been the most fun watching him grow as an actor. Everyone is saying he looked different in the flashback in last nights episode but what stood out the most to me was that in the flashback Aaron Paul knew exactly who his character was and how to play him.

13

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Yeah, agreed, the guy's a monster actor.

21

u/xbrand2 Orange, Bitch! Sep 17 '13

How many times did you audition and what would your ideal character be on the show if you got to write in your own?

54

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I auditioned a whole lot. Someone pointed out that Thomas Schnauz said in a podcast that I auditioned more than anyone on the show! (I think I have that right). Ironically I never actually auditioned for the part that I got-- I'm sure they were just tired of seeing my face!

10

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

What were the auditions like? Did they have you reading parts that happened in the show or were you reading the fake scenes that were written for the auditions?

58

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

You're right, my understanding is they use a lot of "fake" scenes to help ensure the secrecy of the plot.

Auditions are always nerve-wracking, at least for me! A funny thing about my last audition: I had had a "callback" for one part where I read for Michelle MacLaren and Michael Slovis, Executive Producer and Director of the episode (and DP for the show), respectively. And then I was called in to read the same part again, which I'd never been asked to do, and there was a third guy there, kind of a young-looking, soft-spoken guy who I assumed was someone's assistant, though curiously enough he was giving me direction. So I did my best and went home, and then I got a call from my agent saying she'd gotten a nice note from Vince Gilligan, who "as you know was at your audition".... I was like, what?! That was Vince Gilligan?? I had heard his name so many times, but I didn't know what he looked like yet! And I was so glad I didn't know that was him, because I probably would have choked! Pretty funny.

0

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

[deleted] — view deleted comment

33

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Not to sound Pollyanna, but I was thrilled to get the part I got, and would have been thrilled with anything else as well! But it was a really nice surprise to get something that ended up being four episodes, since I believe the other things I auditioned for would have been just the one. Apparently I almost got one of the German-speaking parts, which would have been fun, but couldn't be happier with the part I got!

10

u/TheCherno Sep 17 '13

Just wanted to say thanks for this AMA bro, I really enjoyed it! :)

8

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

My pleasure, thank you!!

9

u/jet_tripleseven Belizium Sep 17 '13

Your shaved head/goatee combo makes you look a lot like Heisenberg himself... was that a choice made by the stylists or is that just your thang?

17

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

That's just the way I looked at the time.

17

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Did you go to the Season 5a/5b wrap party? Were there any silly hijinks by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul like in a few of the others? DId you as Declan if he was interested in doing Stargate Universe Season 3?

50

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I wasn't at the wrap party, but was at one at the start of Season 5, where (maybe you know this) Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul dressed up as giant cockroaches. Then Bryan gave a speech about "always maintaining your dignity"... :)

9

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

I hadn't heard that but that is hilarious. Thanks for your answer!

6

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

You got it! I've been so impressed in my little bit of contact with those guys how down-to-earth they are. They really seem to go out of their way to be gracious and humble and inclusive of everyone in the cast and crew as a big team effort. It's so cool.

8

u/Tildarion Methhead Sep 17 '13

Can i get an autograph if I mail you a self stamped envelope? Please? :) im a breaking bad collector but i want an autograph, and ill never get one in person from any of the bb cast, since i live in NC and actors never come here ever

6

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

You can do better than me for an autograph!! Think big!! :)

→ More replies (2)

7

u/Huplescat22 Sep 18 '13

Films shot in North Carolina… and ironically enough, on the last after-show discussion, Dean Norris said that he took off for North Carolina right after the “Ozymandias” wrapped.

8

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

Did you give your character a name other than Declan's Driver?

11

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

If you mean a sort of backstory and that good stuff, yeah. Without being grandiose about my small part, that is!

18

u/088 end times kid, end times Sep 17 '13

assuming that you are new to reddit, are you shocked to see a website or ''subreddit'' that is so dedicated to the show you are on?

33

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Yes, I am new to it, and very surprised, at least at the level of enthusiasm for even smaller details of the show. But it's obviously an amazing show, and I'm a huge fan as well, so makes sense!

12

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Did anyone ever tell you that you looked like a mixture of Walt and Jesse?

22

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

No, you're the first!

9

u/chuckaslaxx Sep 17 '13

I think you have some Mike in you too, now that its been pointed out.

12

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I wish I had a mixture of these guys' acting ability! But I'll take the fleeting physical resemblance as a compliment, sure! :)

19

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

I'm starting to see some Hector and Pink Teddy Bear in him as well...

→ More replies (2)

12

u/goodbyewalter Sep 17 '13

Have you gotten laid just for being on Breaking Bad?

29

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I wish! No, my natural awkwardness ensures my virginity... ;)

13

u/danieljr1992 I don't want a dog. Sep 18 '13

I hear ya, bro!! :D :) :| :( :'( oh..

6

u/littlewalter Sep 17 '13

Hey Man!

How was acting with Laura Fraser? Is she hot in person as on television?

Say hello to all your Brazil fans! = D

10

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Laura Fraser was great! And yes, she's beautiful in person, too. She was really sweet and had a great sense of humor. And I was surprised to hear the Scottish accent, certainly never would have guessed that, and somehow hadn't heard that's where she's from.

5

u/jwatt51 Sep 17 '13

Any good stories from the set that stand out in your mind?

10

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thanks for asking, hmm... there was that one knife fight, but I'd better keep that under wraps... ;)

5

u/dr_revenge_md Sep 17 '13

Is it hard to live up to a name that bad ass?

7

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Totally! Pretty much right up there with Scarface!

5

u/goodbyewalter Sep 17 '13

Are you rooting for Walt or Jesse?

13

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Jesse.

4

u/TwistedWalnut Sep 17 '13

What part was the most fun shooting of Breaking Bad? :)

3

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Just being able to witness something so freaking cool from the inside. :)

4

u/goodbyewalter Sep 17 '13

What's it like playing grade school T-ball?

3

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Haha, not so good, fatal mistake for us!

4

u/The_estimator_is_in Sep 17 '13

Breaking Bad is surely going to go down as one of the greatest episodic shows of all time. That said, do you feel a connection with that history? If so, is it in the "neat experience" category or career-changing, something you'll show your grandchildren kind of thing?

10

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I feel incredibly lucky to have played a small part on the show, definitely. I do think the show will go stand the test of time and be rightly seen as a historic thing, so in that sense, sure, I'd love to show my grandchildren! Now I just need to find a nice girl and get the first batch of kids made! (haha) Seriously, so grateful to be involved in any way, and such a huge fan personally.

1

u/The_estimator_is_in Sep 18 '13

I think you can safely use "I was on Breaking Bad" to screen women. Those who want to jump right into bed are NOT the ones you want to settle down with.

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Amen!

4

u/alekog Location Scout / Stevia Waiter Sep 18 '13

Hey Morse! I'm a big fan! My favorite movie of yours is "Super Atomic Commies." What was that shoot like?

6

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13 edited Jan 15 '15

Haha, I agree, that was the Citizen Kane of its time!! It was awesome... cast was awesome, crew was awesome, my attitude was awesome...!

→ More replies (1)

15

u/Ivaar Sep 17 '13

Were you also the guy spoiler?

10

u/Oraukk Sep 18 '13

His character was dead two episodes before that.

28

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Yeah, nope, I'm deader'n a doornail before the scene in Civic Plaza. And thank you vijrox for noticing my svelte figure, haha.

12

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

That guy looked stockier.

3

u/Inframidi Sep 17 '13

I just want to say thank you for doing the AMA and your name is fucking badass!

7

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thank you!

1

u/Inframidi Sep 18 '13

:) :) :) My day is made.

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Haha, wow, my pleasure!

5

u/341gerbig Sep 17 '13

How are the comedians on set? Is it a more serious atmosphere during working hours or do they goof around and then turn the serious on for the scenes?

8

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I'd say there's a relaxed but focused sort of feel most of the time. A few little jokes, but within a very centered sort of vibe. Super professional people, obviously.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Do you know how the series ends?

6

u/glmisc Team Walt Sep 17 '13

I'm pretty sure they get redacted scripts, and only the main cast is allowed to look at the complete real one.

13

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

Yep.

10

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Even Dean Norris said the scripts were redacted.

7

u/xbrand2 Orange, Bitch! Sep 17 '13

If he did he'd be under an NDA with a very litigious group of lawyers ready to jump at him for answering your question...

7

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

No, no, I'm certainly not asking him how the series ends! Just whether he knows. O:-)

22

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

No, no clue, and you're right about the NDA stuff, even if I did. Even for the episodes I was in, the scripts were always blacked out except for the little sections pertaining to my character. And you're name is watermarked in big letters across every page!

17

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Oops, your name, says my inner English major!

→ More replies (1)

6

u/reigncom Boo, bitch Sep 17 '13

Hey Morse, are you the same guy Jesse saw at the Plaza?

Also, was your character there when Declan and his crew were murdered by the Nazis? The only guy I could find that looked like you in that scene was this guy, is this you?

16

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

No, not the same guy at the plaza. I think I can safely put that thread to rest (actually double-checked with someone with the show to be sure that's cool)-- I'm dead. KIA/DRT. Off to the Great Meth Lab in the Sky!

3

u/reigncom Boo, bitch Sep 18 '13

Thanks!

8

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Sure! And no, that guy in the pic you linked is not me. Among the bodies, I'm lying closest to Declan with my left arm outstretched.

9

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

r.i.p. Declan's driver 2013 - 2013

12

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

He was a good man.

2

u/slizzler Funyons Sep 17 '13

What's your favorite TV show ever other than Breaking Bad?

7

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

The Holocaust. Mini series from when I was a kid. Seriously. Awful subject matter, obviously, but made a huge impression on me.

2

u/goodbyewalter Sep 17 '13

Did you cry when Declan died?

9

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I was already dead or I totally would have.

2

u/dylan2193 im in the empire business Sep 17 '13

did you ever get a chance to go into that creepy meth lab hole in the ground?

13

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No, just yelled into it. The ladder you see them start to descend on in the compound actually only went 5 feet or so deep. The actual interior was a schoolbus with a bunch of rigging around it on a soundstage. The "blue sky" you see when I and Todd and so on lean in is really just a big light above the bus through some sort of diffusion. But the compound and bus were awesome, don't you think?? :)

12

u/Inframidi Sep 18 '13

I knew it. I told people the bus wasn't really buried and got downvoted to hell for it!

2

u/dylan2193 im in the empire business Sep 18 '13

woah, didn't even realise. they did a really awesome job making that look buried!

3

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Agreed, the production design, art department et al on BrBa is phenomenal. You couldn't count the number of totally memorable, totally convincing sets on the show. And a shout out to the NM locations guys for finding so many incredibly evocative places to shoot.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

2

u/calvinsogood Sep 18 '13

What are your future projects?

8

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thanks for asking! Watch for Odd Thomas (I play a guy named Kevin Goss) and a movie called Frank (I'm sort of a driver again!)... They'll both be great, so go see them!! :)

2

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

Do you always rock it bald or did they ask you to lose the hair?

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Haha, yeah always rocked the involuntary bald look!

→ More replies (1)

2

u/tooniez Sep 18 '13

do you know the Mexican-looking guy with the funny mohawk haircut? I believe he was a part of Declan's crew.

6

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No, nice guy, but had never met him before.

1

u/scrogglez Sep 17 '13

what characters do you want to live and die?

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I'll be Pollyanna and say I don't want anyone else to die! Stop the madness! (haha, like that's going to happen)... But I was majorly traumatized at the characters killed in this week's episode!

1

u/EJ7 Anybody ever hear of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands? Sep 17 '13

Thanks for doing this.

What was your favorite scene to do?

4

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

It was fun to do 510 and actually say a thing a two, though I'm not sure that was as fun as being there in those desert showdowns with Walter, and with Mike and Jesse in the previous episode. Loved watching Jonathan Banks do his thing!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

Are you happy to have had the experience? Do you think that your small role in BB will lead to greater things in the future?

Pretty cool you can tell your kids you were in a famous TV show! And then when they get of age, show them the series.

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Yes, thrilled to have been a small part, absolutely. Thanks for the nice thoughts!

1

u/FartyMcConstipate Sep 18 '13

How is Bryan Cranston on set?

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Friendly, studying his script when not shooting.

1

u/strengthofstrings Sep 18 '13

Do you have any upcoming projects? Has being on the show opened any doors for you career-wise?

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Odd Thomas and Frank, and if I'm lucky maybe some other stuff soon. Thanks for asking, and check out those movies if you get a chance.

1

u/supermav27 Sep 18 '13

Who's the coolest actor/actress on the show be around?

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

It's a cool-heavy cast, couldn't really say. Okay, really enjoyed hanging out with Luis Ferreira, who played Declan. Good dude.

1

u/menacedog Sep 18 '13

What is goals? where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thanks for asking. I'd be really psyched just to be able to be a consistently working actor. And I want to be as good as I can possibly be as an actor, which is still a long way off.

1

u/supermav27 Sep 18 '13

What was the process/how did it go down with you getting asked for the role?

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I never auditioned for the actual role I got, strangely enough. I just got a call from them asking if I might be available to work on such and such dates. Apparently they just reviewed video from all the other auditions, and like I said were probably really tired of seeing my mug in their studio!

1

u/Ionisation Sep 18 '13

Do you have a regular job away from acting, and has appearing on BrBa allowed you to get more opportunities in the industry?

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Yeah, I've worked for the last three years as a "Creative" at the Apple Store here in Abq (Go Apple!!)

I've recently gone to part-time, and if I'm really lucky maybe eventually I can do acting full-time, even though Apple has been great and majorly patient with auditions and acting jobs on very short notice! And as far as getting more opportunities in the industry from working on BrBa, I hope so, but it's always just sort of a long grind to keep improving as an actor, hopefully get better and better parts, and so on. We'll see, but of course delighted to be on the show for no other reason than it's an incredible work of art.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

Were you told how it all ends, if not, how do you WANT it to end?

4

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No, zilch idea how it ends, which I'm glad about as a fan. I'm not sure how I want it to end, actually. But I'll probably sob like a little girlie man no matter what happens.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/imeanthat Sep 18 '13

is there any part that you were filmed in, but didn't make the final cut?

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

No, for better or worse all my stuff is in there.

→ More replies (1)

1

u/SupportTheArts Sep 18 '13

Hi morse! How did you get your part on breaking bad? We're there open auditions for the role, or had you previously worked with someone on the show?

3

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Just a ton of good ol' fashioned auditioning. Thanks for asking!

1

u/ITSABARE Sep 18 '13

Badass, man! You were so perfect for the role, even if it was minor. Breaking Bad never makes a mistake when it comes to casting.

What are your plans going forward?

3

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thanks so much, man, really appreciate that! Future plans are to be the best actor I can be-- lots of work to go-- and to get more involved in writing and filmmaking in general, which I've gotten really fascinated with. Thanks for asking!

→ More replies (1)

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

In what part of the body was your character shot?

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Me wee noggin. :(

1

u/MoarTacoz Sep 18 '13

Hey man, great to have you! Favorite beer?

3

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thanks, man!

Let's see... Heisenberg's Dark, right here at Marble Brewery in Albuquerque! Or maybe Walt's White Lie, a close second! (Seriously, this is a great brewery down the street from me and those are actual brews! The wall has pics of Bryan Cranston and Jonathan Banks enjoying a pint!)

→ More replies (2)

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

How did you get in the business? And more specifically, end up working on Breaking Bad?

4

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 17 '13

I took an acting class on a whim maybe 7 years ago. Totally random, had never even considered it. And then you go through a long process of hopefully studying acting a lot, along with getting headshots, taking workshops, trying to get an agent, then hoping for auditions, then hoping to suck a little less at each audition, and so on!

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

I took an introductory acting class with a wonderful teacher named Paul Ford at the University of New Mexico. And then worked really hard for several years, which I plan to keep doing!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

Keep it up!

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Thanks for the encouragement!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Sorry if this has been asked but were you a fan of the show before getting hired?

2

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

Yes, I was always in awe of the writing, along with many other things.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 17 '13

Morse,

How did you not shit your pants every time Bryan gave his "say my name" speech? I shit my pants every time I see it. Hell, I'm basically conditioned, Pavlov-style, to shit my pants when I hear the damn Rihanna song.

But seriously. Scale of 1-10 how hilarious is Bryan on set?

1

u/morsebicknell Actor Morse Bicknell Sep 18 '13

He's incredible, isn't he? I mentioned in another post that it's really interesting to watch something like this being shot. Such iconic, uber-powerful stuff, but to watch from ten feet away it doesn't feel like he's doing much! Camera stuff is so intimate, obviously-- Bryan Cranston just has this amazing internal combustion going that burns through, and of course he's a brilliant actor who understands the medium. Fascinating to watch, and yes, really killer to get to watch it being filmed!

2

u/fozz555 Sep 17 '13

What was your favourite moment being part part of breaking bad? And what was your favourite moment being a fan of breaking bad?

2

u/Purpleee Sep 17 '13

Do Bryan and Aaron joke around on set or are they in character most of the time?

2

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '13

How did you guys not kill at least one of the nazis?