November 20, 2025 • 26 mins
It is a pleasure to welcome actor Bryan James to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.
A California native, Bryan James grew up all over the state, living everywhere from San Francisco to San Diego. James did a lot of theatre growing up in different areas of the state. When he moved to Hollywood, he joined the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Bryan took his first step in the professional acting world when he starred in the Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery ER. From 2012 to 2016, he created, produced, and starred in the popular web series Youthful Daze, in which he portrayed Drew Castle and his split personality, Joshua. The Calabasas, California-set series also starred Chrishelle Stause, Rick Hearst, Jen Lilley, Eden Riegel, and Mike Manning. He also hosted TMI Hollywood for five episodes, starred as Officer Mark Jenkins in Bloodbath, and guest-starred on General Hospital and AppleTV+’s Palm Royale.
On November 21, Bryan will star in the psychological thriller Reckless. The film is a bold, razor-sharp reimaging of the cult classic Fatal Attraction. The film dives deep into obsession, betrayal, and the dangerous unraveling of desire against the glossy backdrop of California. In the movie, Bryan James portrays Alex Forrest, a magnetic television star whose affair with Dan Gallagher (four-time Emmy-nominee Max Ehrich), spirals into a chilling game of cat and mouse. When passion turns into fixation, Alex’s charm transfigures into manipulation and violence, which threatens Dan’s marriage with Beth (Rachel Fox), career, and sanity in a modern cautionary tale that explores how intimacy, fame, and digital exposure collide.
On this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Bryan James reminisced about his time on Youthful Daze, the lessons he learned from being on the sets of General Hospital and Palm Royale. He also previewed his take on one of cinema’s greatest villains.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
A California native, Bryan James grew up all over the state, living everywhere from San Francisco to San Diego. James did a lot of theatre growing up in different areas of the state. When he moved to Hollywood, he joined the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Bryan took his first step in the professional acting world when he starred in the Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery ER. From 2012 to 2016, he created, produced, and starred in the popular web series Youthful Daze, in which he portrayed Drew Castle and his split personality, Joshua. The Calabasas, California-set series also starred Chrishelle Stause, Rick Hearst, Jen Lilley, Eden Riegel, and Mike Manning. He also hosted TMI Hollywood for five episodes, starred as Officer Mark Jenkins in Bloodbath, and guest-starred on General Hospital and AppleTV+’s Palm Royale.
On November 21, Bryan will star in the psychological thriller Reckless. The film is a bold, razor-sharp reimaging of the cult classic Fatal Attraction. The film dives deep into obsession, betrayal, and the dangerous unraveling of desire against the glossy backdrop of California. In the movie, Bryan James portrays Alex Forrest, a magnetic television star whose affair with Dan Gallagher (four-time Emmy-nominee Max Ehrich), spirals into a chilling game of cat and mouse. When passion turns into fixation, Alex’s charm transfigures into manipulation and violence, which threatens Dan’s marriage with Beth (Rachel Fox), career, and sanity in a modern cautionary tale that explores how intimacy, fame, and digital exposure collide.
On this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Bryan James reminisced about his time on Youthful Daze, the lessons he learned from being on the sets of General Hospital and Palm Royale. He also previewed his take on one of cinema’s greatest villains.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Hello everyone, and welcome to a special edition of the
Jake's Sake with Jacob Podcast. I'm your host, Jacob Aisher,
the chief concept producer and writer at jakesak dot com
pop culture entertainment news website. If you're watching us on YouTube,
please give us thumbs up.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
If you're listening to our audio platforms, please give us
a five star rating. Download this episode and all and
all and more of my more of my more of
three over three hundred and seventy five pieces of content.
I'm thrilled to welcome today's guest. He's an actor. He starred, created,
executive produced in Youthful Days. He guest starred on General
(00:58):
Hospital in Palm Royal at the However, on November twenty first,
he is taking on the one of the most iconic
film villains of all time, and Reckless, and his character's
name is out Course. So please let me welcome Brian
James to the podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Hi. What an introduction. Thank you for having me. I
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
You're so welcome, Brian. If you didn't expect that.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Introduction, no, But like my character says, I'm not gonna
be ignored Jacob, so I appreciate the introduction, You're so welcome.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
I cannot you cannot be ignored either. It's like, the
thing is that character. It's one of the most iconic
cinematic villains. So and you're you're head when you're gonna
be talking about that role soon?
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Oh, I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Yeah, so let's get let's get to the origin story.
So why did you get interested in before? I mean,
how did that pass involve into desire to pursue a
career in entertainment industry.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
I've always been into acting.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
I feel like I tried to pursue other avenues and
being a performer is in my blood. I was something
that was telling my family, I need to go on
an independent study and I need to start performing. When
I was in high school, they made me graduate regrettably first,
but I moved out to la right when I first
(02:32):
could actually you know, and I got my sad card
on a TV show called Mystery er R. It was
kind of like a reenactment thing. And yeah, having a
lot of different opportunities and experiences and then finding my lane,
having success, a lot of stuff on the Internet with
(02:53):
web series and such, and now this movie coming out
is so exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Apps absolutely. Now, the thing is, my folks would never
have allowed me that. Shout out, Mom and dad, love you,
Loriam Matthew. But the thing is they needed me to
go on college, So I don't blame. I am a
little envious that you tackled the City of Angels head on.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Yeah, and the promise was Santa Monica Junior College with
the tackling of LA and I did go for a
few semesters, but then I got into.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Acting classes in Hollywood.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I studied with Ivana Chubbuck at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio,
and then that kind of convinced them to let me
go to that and not go to school. So it
was a one step at a time kind of process.
Because it is daunting, the odds are against you. People
tell you how competitive it is. I would tell anyone
listening and understandably. So it's like, if you can do
(03:54):
something else, do it. But if you feel like it's
your vocation and what you feel like you want to
bring to the table, so to speak, then.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Go for it.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
That's what I heard about when it comes to podcasting,
because people said, Jacob, you been doing reinterviews for many years,
when's the money coming in? And like, yes, I'd meant
I have a day job, but at the same time,
it's like it's my passion. I would not be like
I would not be doing I want to do this
and like, yes, I made some really good ad money
(04:26):
and yeah it's coffee money. But at the same time
is I never would have the opportunity to have conversations
with people like you, Brian, or or all my guests
I've interviewed. So I'm just very lucky and to be
fulfilled by doing this.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
I love your frankness too about things. I think honesty
and integrity, you know, vibrates more than ever in the culture.
We all need to just be be there for each other.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
So I love being here and talking to you.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Thanks, Brian. I appreciate so many of my audience know
you from the digital web series Youthful Days, which you created,
executive produced, and starred alongside the likes of Rishelle Strauss,
Rickcoachs and I Guess this podcast Mike Manning. So what
were some of your favorite memories from your time on
Youthful Days.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Youthful Days is an experience that went on for several years,
and I was very blessed to work with all of
those people and many many more, and I think it
really taught me a lot about life and actually about
energy and I you know, a lot of things about
(05:40):
acting I feel like actually come from those nonverbal energetic charges.
And I'm so blessed and thankful to have had the
experience of working with so many different people. I was
working with people that were you know, in the industry
for decades and decades and brought a perspective and an
(06:02):
energy to the work. And at the same token, there
were some of us, myself included, where this was like
one of our first professional experiences that was really getting
attention that we were a major part of and kind
of that experience be mixture both of those things was
(06:22):
something that is very.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Interesting and you learn a lot.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
And I don't know that I would even be the
person that I am or have learned the things I've lived.
I didn't put myself through that experience. And so on
a personal level, it was very you know, challenging at
times and then also ultimately such a blessing. And I
think it's, you know, something that a lot of people
(06:49):
probably will never experience, but I, you know, like in
my mid twenties. I was starring on this show with
all these people and running it and it was quite something.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
It really was.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
And here's the thing. Do you think Yeopul Days paved
the way for like Orange is a New Black or
the way we see all the Netflix shows that Netflix
is doing Prime Video Disney Plus. Do you think it
paved the way?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
That is such an interesting question.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I mean, I thought at the time that I had
my finger on the pulse of what was going to
be relevant and what was going to be the next
move in narrative storytelling, in representation, in social dis in
stereotypes and changing the identity of them. So I would
(07:41):
live that up to other people to decide. But I
appreciate the recognition and the acknowledgment because there was a
forethought to not only doing something that would be of
that moment, but that if I didn't, it's about too
And so I think we'll flicked off of each other.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
And that was right. You know, whether people want to
give my.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Show that credit is up to them to decide. But
I really appreciate that question actually because I felt that,
and I think euphoria then was like hold my beer
and you know, and then really took it like very
far in a very aggressive way with a platform. And
also I knew that that kind of content would propel
the talents involved. That was one of the strategies wanting
(08:26):
to be in that project, and I was right. I mean,
you see a lot of the people from Euphoria are
some of the biggest people in Hollywood right now.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Absolutely, and an awesome maction some of the people as well,
like for example, Rickheurse is coming back on General Hospital, Strong,
Mike Manning want two Daytime Emmys, so and it wrapped
out selling Sunset and the Traders and Danced with the Stars.
So she said, a lot of people have come your way.
Those people come came continue to be iconic in their fields.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
And they're all lovely. Yeah, they're all lovely people too.
They're all really great.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Mike especially is someone I you know, I'm so proud
of to see him accomplish everything that he wants to
and you know, is a great person.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Absolutely, shout out Mike, Hi, Mike, alrighty. So you also
guess so in addition to Youthful Days, you also guest
starred on what the long running general so ABC soap
opera General Hospital, and you also guest starred on one
of the most critically acclaimed shows that Apple TV has offered,
(09:33):
Paul Royet. So, what were some of the lessons that
you learned from these sets that helped you grow as
an actor?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
I love this question. Well.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Starting with General Hospital, I was lucky enough to have
them bring me back a few times as a bartender.
I don't want to undersell it. It was an experience
that I was very thankful to have, and ultimately it
kind of showed me the truth of the perspective. You
can get emotionally tied into things. It's like you're on
(10:07):
that set, it's like work. You know, everyone's so clocked in,
there's so many people, there's so many things going on,
and just like kind of seeing that dynamic from the
inside out was a blessing because I think in life
sometimes you can take these personally, and I think it's
important to remember and even in acting, where you are
emotional and you're emotionally charged, that at the end of
(10:28):
the day, things are a business. Things are operating very quickly,
people are really efficiently doing their jobs, and then they're
going home to their families, and it's like having those
perspectives are is a blessing.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
So that kind of clocked me in. When I'm on
the web.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Series Grind, I got the metaphorical mud in my hands
and just dealing with all these emotions that it's like,
what a blessing to step onto a fully functional like
environment where there's hundreds of people doing all the jobs
that need to be to get this thing told, and
so kind of seeing how the sausage is made from
(11:04):
the inside out was really cool.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Paul Morel was also.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
An amazing experience because it's like Kristen Wigg is standing
next to you by the craft service and is just
so normal and so kind and so on it. And
it's nine thirty in the morning, and then she's doing
her monologue over and over again, and she's hitting the
beats the way you would expect, but then in a
different kind of way, and she's so charming, and so
it's like watching people excel on the level they do
(11:27):
and also seeing that that is a very human thing
happening and that you're just right there next to it
is really fun and rewarding. And so that was a
pinch me moment to like be in the scene with
her in the same space was very cool.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
That's and that's pretty amazing too. Nobody can say this.
I've heard a lot of people come on this podcast
to have daytime experience and say that night like daytime
is like, oh boy, you got to have your shit
together as soon as possible. That time it feels late
back and you got to not all like you. But
here's the thing. Not a lot of actors can say, hey,
(12:07):
I've been a bit I was a guest character on
one of the longest running television series of all time,
or hey, I've been on this show that features Christian
that I have shared a scene with Christian Wick and
snl Alum and not to mention I'm on the same
guest Cassie as Carol Burnett.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
I appreciate you. I mean, I have had pinched me
moments in my life. I've had other things that have
experienced that also feel very uniquely singular.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
I don't know what to say.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I hope to continue to have more and more and
more of these things.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
There's that that modality.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
The most exciting thing is the next job, and I
really feel that way. Everything is so cool and it's
so fun, and I'm just looking for more yeses and
to have more these experiences because they really feel like
when you look back on them, you're like wow, but
it's like in the moment, you're just you know, living
through this moment. And so Meryl Streep said that about
(13:12):
something I was studying. She was like about the work
and about the longevity of her career. She's like, only
in reflection do you see all the coolness? And it's like,
There's been so much coolness in my life and I'm.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
So like appreciative of it.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
What goes on in my head every day though, is
what I just said to you, like I need the
next gig, and then learning how to be like relaped
about it and move through it because it's all about energy.
Like I was saying too, I believe it's that's the
interesting thing about being a performer.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
It kind of tapped into all of these truths absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
And now here's the thing I've been also like for
me in my head, it's like, how is this going
to go into that? But at the same time, I
really enjoy my interviews, like and the thing is I
want to be doing this. Like two of my greatest
heroes are Barbara Walters and readers Philip and both of
them had the careers that were over fifty years. I'd
rather be like that than be a flash in a PM.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
No, totally. Oh and I love both of those guys.
And you're great. I love like already.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You know, you have like a perspective and a directness,
but an emotional like openness.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
It's a great It's Barbara Walter's level, my friend.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Thank you so much, Brian. I really appreciate it being
honored to be in the same league as for one
these days. But like, I still got it. I'm slowly
but storily growing. However, both of us have had experience
of challenges like spasically when we're working in entertainment, in
the industry, it's probably the most competitive world and maybe
(14:44):
second cut through next to politics. So what have been
some of the challenges that you face staying in our
industry and how have you overcome those obstacles.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
This is interesting, you know, because I think it's important
in life to not emphasize genuinely like more of what
you don't want. So if there have been experiences that
cannonly are not ideal like, it's interesting to go through
them and to then acknowledge that and then to know
to move away from it. When I was first starting
(15:17):
out in this industry, I kind of saw that there
are a lot of pitfalls and ways of looking at
things or kind of you know, mentally getting entwined in
certain moments or dealings with people that may not have
been positive.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
That I think is universal and happens to everyone in life.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
But it's like, you know, I like about Hollywood actually
that it is a lot on the line and that
there are authenticity when they're all I think the cream
rises to the top. And I think that like people
like transparency more than ever, and I think that like
all of that plays into like wanting to go through
hard things or things that are not ideal and carry
(15:58):
yourself the way you want to be seen and be
respectful to other people and to other kind of ways
that they may see things, because ultimately that's all you have,
is like how you choose to act, not what other
people say about you, which is not always true even
which is very much a whole other answer, but it's
(16:18):
you know, and so just like deciding how you show up,
and that Hollywood in LA and ertainment industry kind of
demands that of you, like you can pretend to be
that way, but I think it will blow up in
your face eventually. So it's like you kind of have
to continue to eternally internally evolve and be and be
a strong, healthy person. And I could go on for
(16:41):
like twenty more minutes about this answer, but that's what
I actually love about it.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
You know.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
It's like definitely a personality type that I have that
may not may not be what everyone would share, but
I kind of like going through it and having to
like rise to the challenge and grow and constructive criticism
and all of that stuff.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
It's not a it's not a bad thing.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
And it's better. And Brian, you're right because that tipancy matters.
And we have seen a lot of celebrities whose brands,
who like whose brands have been like saying they're authentic.
And then, however, we see in the tabloids in the
entertainment magazines recently, and I can name a couple of
them by you do not want to be sued, So
I we're going so but a lot of people know
(17:24):
who they are.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Yeah, I was thinking in my head right now because
I'm reading about it too, and I'm like, ooh, but
I knew it.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
It's like it feels like you knew it even before
you knew it. That's what I mean about the probaticity.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
How about this book's changed notes after this conversation off camera?
Yeah so, but however, Brian, we got to talk about
what's coming up on Friday, November twenty first, because you
are going to be really releasing the upcoming thriller Reckless
(17:58):
starring Max Elrich, and so what attracts you to this film?
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Sorry? Can you hear me? Are you there?
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I'm here, I'm hearing here. I'm sorry. Sorry, everybody, We've
had technical difficulties. We'll be right back after this. Welcome
back everybody. Sorry about that. We had technical difficulties, but
Brian is back with us. So I was saying before
we went to break Brian that we both will exchange
information on those celebrities who's who was built on onto
(18:40):
dsity But we're but there. But their stuff was shown
by their true colors were shown by townplates. After after
we have our.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Conversation, we have the receids. Yeah, yeah, we'll do that
in apartment.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Yeah, it's but because both of us don't want to
get sued for libel. All right, Yeah, we gotta go
and talk about the meat and potatoes of our conversation.
So on November twenty first, you'll release the up coming
thriller Reckless with your co star Max Ellery. So what
(19:16):
attracted you to this voe?
Speaker 2 (19:23):
That Glenn Close energy, right, that gle energy, gotta gotta get,
gotta be right. Yeah, yeah, we need to bring the gleenergy.
I think that was in the movie du Pervenge. So
just want to give a shout out to them. They
did talk about the glen energy of Glenn Close in
Fail Attraction. It's so iconic, right, So there's an idea
(19:47):
of it, and I honestly wanted to just happen too,
something that I feel like she energetically made and I
wanted to like craft it and take it and make
it my own. It's so tangible and real to me
and distinct like what she did with that being said, like, oh, that.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Was just the formation of it.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Like ultimately, it's exciting to do something in the landscape
where people kind of get the elevator pitch. So excited
to have a Fatal Attraction reimagining and I mean being
involved in a remake is something that I've never done before,
and so honestly there's an obligation and a responsibility and
excitement because a reference point and so moving around all
(20:29):
that was really appealing to me, like more appealing than
maybe almost anything I've ever made before I've been a
part of. And so it's been a blessing. It's been
a pinch me experience. It's been, oh my god, this
is actually happening. How amazing. You know, I really really
can't speak enough to how awesome it is because of
(20:50):
how much excitement I have over the idea of being
a part of this.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
And I know that you're tackling one of the greatest
to the macdillans all time outs force. So as we're
preparing for the film, can we make sure that your
version will not be compared to lead closest iconic care
portrayal of the character.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
That's such an important thing, you know, like I wanted
to do my own thing. So I mean, first of all,
these are obvious statements, but the context of a guy
having an affair with a man is different. There was
different tones and a different ways that the story moved
that gave me a freedom and a liberty to explore
(21:36):
a different aspect of the character. Just happenedto something that's familiar,
but then to craft someone that's completely distinctly their own person.
Hopefully he's a spiritual successor or twin, so to speak
to the Alex that you know from nineteen eighty seven,
but he can also just be his own distinct person
(21:57):
that has nothing to do with this really, and I
think that that if I do my job right, that
you'll see that. And so I'm proud to have kind
of been able to take it and make it its
own thing, because that's important. But there are a few
moments that just are too too fun because they're very
on the nose to the original movie with all the
reverence and affinity that we have, you know, behind the
(22:20):
scenes for it, because it wasn't just me, it was
everyone on the crew and the cast really likes the movie,
and so we definitely kind of definitely establish our own thing,
which is imperative, and we do a little fun homage
here and there, which is also kind of what you're
thinking people want and we need to do.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Absolutely. So you had the opportunity to hear Michael Daglets.
Are Glenn Close heard about the movie and why would
you want them to watch it or what do you
hope they take away from this?
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Glenn?
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I love you and you are iconic, and I hope
that you can see the different shades of this original
character and how important it is to tell these stories.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
And Michael Douglas, you dog, here's more men being bad
in the modern day. No, I mean, they're they're the legends,
they're the icons.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
If they ever, you know, look this way, hopefully they'll
see it was done with a lot of respect and
a lot of creative flavor to give it just something
completely new. And I think I was looking at the
script the other day and there's like thirty something scenes
in this that are completely original. I have nothing to
do with fatal attraction, and there's like five or six
(23:42):
that are like, oh, this is exactly fatal election.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
And so when you put that all together, mathe mathematically.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
I was never a mathematician, but I guess, you know,
I'd want them to know that their work is so
well regarded. And then we just took it and we
were able to make something very new in twenty twenty
five and flee them and anyone else that likes that
movie would I wouldn't see that and like it because
it's like it's like making a milk, you know, and
you have all these different ingredients that go into it.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Absolutely, absolutely, And also why should my audience watch Reckless?
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Because you're gonna get something that you're expecting and then
you're gonna get things that you weren't and it's gonna
give you a different kind of view into themes that
are explored, including themes in the Original and Fatal Attraction
that I think are more interesting than ever to look at.
(24:43):
And I'm just like, actually very excited at what the
conversation might be around how this movie goes and what
some of the takeaways are of it.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Awesome, awesome, So last question, are you ready?
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (25:03):
All right, Brian? Where can my audience find Reckless? And
more importantly, if you're on social media, where would you?
Where would they find you?
Speaker 2 (25:15):
You can find Reckless at recklessmovie dot Net. It's available
to rent and purchase after November twenty first, And you
can find me on Instagram at Brian with a Y
b R Y and Andrew James.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
I'm mostly on Instagram these days.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Yeah, And I appreciate your time and I hope that
everyone has a great holiday.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
And then you know, also checks out this movie.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Absolutely, the guys. If you missed an episode of the
Jakes Take with Jacob Ashar podcast, visit our channels on
Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and speaker Jake's
Take with Jacob j c O b e l y
ah the ah j R. Now are you on social media?
I'm on me too, Facebook, Instagram, Thread, Twitter, and YouTube
(26:03):
Jacob Ali or j c O b e o y
a c j R. And want to find all my
interviews with some General Hospital alumni, well, head over to
Jake stashchik dot com once a gatting Jake stash chick
dot com. And also, I just want to say that
I want to say thank you so much for the
American Business Awards and the Stevie Awards for considering the
Jake Steake with Jacob elis our podcast to be a
(26:25):
Prouder Silver Wide recipient of the Silver CBE for Best
Interview Talk Show in a Podcasting Division. Brian, thank you
so much for your time. Congratulations on the new film
and I'm very excited to see what you do next.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Thank you, Thank you for having me. It was a
pleasure talking to you all right.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Guys, thank you so much for watching Thank you so
much for listening. Until next time, I have a great one. Everybody,
good bye,
Hello everyone, and welcome to a special edition of the
Jake's Sake with Jacob Podcast. I'm your host, Jacob Aisher,
the chief concept producer and writer at jakesak dot com
pop culture entertainment news website. If you're watching us on YouTube,
please give us thumbs up.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
If you're listening to our audio platforms, please give us
a five star rating. Download this episode and all and
all and more of my more of my more of
three over three hundred and seventy five pieces of content.
I'm thrilled to welcome today's guest. He's an actor. He starred, created,
executive produced in Youthful Days. He guest starred on General
(00:58):
Hospital in Palm Royal at the However, on November twenty first,
he is taking on the one of the most iconic
film villains of all time, and Reckless, and his character's
name is out Course. So please let me welcome Brian
James to the podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Hi. What an introduction. Thank you for having me. I
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
You're so welcome, Brian. If you didn't expect that.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Introduction, no, But like my character says, I'm not gonna
be ignored Jacob, so I appreciate the introduction, You're so welcome.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
I cannot you cannot be ignored either. It's like, the
thing is that character. It's one of the most iconic
cinematic villains. So and you're you're head when you're gonna
be talking about that role soon?
Speaker 3 (01:51):
Oh, I can't wait.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Yeah, so let's get let's get to the origin story.
So why did you get interested in before? I mean,
how did that pass involve into desire to pursue a
career in entertainment industry.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
I've always been into acting.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
I feel like I tried to pursue other avenues and
being a performer is in my blood. I was something
that was telling my family, I need to go on
an independent study and I need to start performing. When
I was in high school, they made me graduate regrettably first,
but I moved out to la right when I first
(02:32):
could actually you know, and I got my sad card
on a TV show called Mystery er R. It was
kind of like a reenactment thing. And yeah, having a
lot of different opportunities and experiences and then finding my lane,
having success, a lot of stuff on the Internet with
(02:53):
web series and such, and now this movie coming out
is so exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Apps absolutely. Now, the thing is, my folks would never
have allowed me that. Shout out, Mom and dad, love you,
Loriam Matthew. But the thing is they needed me to
go on college, So I don't blame. I am a
little envious that you tackled the City of Angels head on.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Yeah, and the promise was Santa Monica Junior College with
the tackling of LA and I did go for a
few semesters, but then I got into.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Acting classes in Hollywood.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
I studied with Ivana Chubbuck at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio,
and then that kind of convinced them to let me
go to that and not go to school. So it
was a one step at a time kind of process.
Because it is daunting, the odds are against you. People
tell you how competitive it is. I would tell anyone
listening and understandably. So it's like, if you can do
(03:54):
something else, do it. But if you feel like it's
your vocation and what you feel like you want to
bring to the table, so to speak, then.
Speaker 3 (04:02):
Go for it.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
That's what I heard about when it comes to podcasting,
because people said, Jacob, you been doing reinterviews for many years,
when's the money coming in? And like, yes, I'd meant
I have a day job, but at the same time,
it's like it's my passion. I would not be like
I would not be doing I want to do this
and like, yes, I made some really good ad money
(04:26):
and yeah it's coffee money. But at the same time
is I never would have the opportunity to have conversations
with people like you, Brian, or or all my guests
I've interviewed. So I'm just very lucky and to be
fulfilled by doing this.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
I love that.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
I love your frankness too about things. I think honesty
and integrity, you know, vibrates more than ever in the culture.
We all need to just be be there for each other.
Speaker 3 (04:53):
So I love being here and talking to you.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Thanks, Brian. I appreciate so many of my audience know
you from the digital web series Youthful Days, which you created,
executive produced, and starred alongside the likes of Rishelle Strauss,
Rickcoachs and I Guess this podcast Mike Manning. So what
were some of your favorite memories from your time on
Youthful Days.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Youthful Days is an experience that went on for several years,
and I was very blessed to work with all of
those people and many many more, and I think it
really taught me a lot about life and actually about
energy and I you know, a lot of things about
(05:40):
acting I feel like actually come from those nonverbal energetic charges.
And I'm so blessed and thankful to have had the
experience of working with so many different people. I was
working with people that were you know, in the industry
for decades and decades and brought a perspective and an
(06:02):
energy to the work. And at the same token, there
were some of us, myself included, where this was like
one of our first professional experiences that was really getting
attention that we were a major part of and kind
of that experience be mixture both of those things was
(06:22):
something that is very.
Speaker 3 (06:25):
Interesting and you learn a lot.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
And I don't know that I would even be the
person that I am or have learned the things I've lived.
I didn't put myself through that experience. And so on
a personal level, it was very you know, challenging at
times and then also ultimately such a blessing. And I
think it's, you know, something that a lot of people
(06:49):
probably will never experience, but I, you know, like in
my mid twenties. I was starring on this show with
all these people and running it and it was quite something.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
It really was.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
And here's the thing. Do you think Yeopul Days paved
the way for like Orange is a New Black or
the way we see all the Netflix shows that Netflix
is doing Prime Video Disney Plus. Do you think it
paved the way?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
That is such an interesting question.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I mean, I thought at the time that I had
my finger on the pulse of what was going to
be relevant and what was going to be the next
move in narrative storytelling, in representation, in social dis in
stereotypes and changing the identity of them. So I would
(07:41):
live that up to other people to decide. But I
appreciate the recognition and the acknowledgment because there was a
forethought to not only doing something that would be of
that moment, but that if I didn't, it's about too
And so I think we'll flicked off of each other.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
And that was right. You know, whether people want to
give my.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Show that credit is up to them to decide. But
I really appreciate that question actually because I felt that,
and I think euphoria then was like hold my beer
and you know, and then really took it like very
far in a very aggressive way with a platform. And
also I knew that that kind of content would propel
the talents involved. That was one of the strategies wanting
(08:26):
to be in that project, and I was right. I mean,
you see a lot of the people from Euphoria are
some of the biggest people in Hollywood right now.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Absolutely, and an awesome maction some of the people as well,
like for example, Rickheurse is coming back on General Hospital, Strong,
Mike Manning want two Daytime Emmys, so and it wrapped
out selling Sunset and the Traders and Danced with the Stars.
So she said, a lot of people have come your way.
Those people come came continue to be iconic in their fields.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
And they're all lovely. Yeah, they're all lovely people too.
They're all really great.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Mike especially is someone I you know, I'm so proud
of to see him accomplish everything that he wants to
and you know, is a great person.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Absolutely, shout out Mike, Hi, Mike, alrighty. So you also
guess so in addition to Youthful Days, you also guest
starred on what the long running general so ABC soap
opera General Hospital, and you also guest starred on one
of the most critically acclaimed shows that Apple TV has offered,
(09:33):
Paul Royet. So, what were some of the lessons that
you learned from these sets that helped you grow as
an actor?
Speaker 3 (09:42):
I love this question. Well.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Starting with General Hospital, I was lucky enough to have
them bring me back a few times as a bartender.
I don't want to undersell it. It was an experience
that I was very thankful to have, and ultimately it
kind of showed me the truth of the perspective. You
can get emotionally tied into things. It's like you're on
(10:07):
that set, it's like work. You know, everyone's so clocked in,
there's so many people, there's so many things going on,
and just like kind of seeing that dynamic from the
inside out was a blessing because I think in life
sometimes you can take these personally, and I think it's
important to remember and even in acting, where you are
emotional and you're emotionally charged, that at the end of
(10:28):
the day, things are a business. Things are operating very quickly,
people are really efficiently doing their jobs, and then they're
going home to their families, and it's like having those
perspectives are is a blessing.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
So that kind of clocked me in. When I'm on
the web.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Series Grind, I got the metaphorical mud in my hands
and just dealing with all these emotions that it's like,
what a blessing to step onto a fully functional like
environment where there's hundreds of people doing all the jobs
that need to be to get this thing told, and
so kind of seeing how the sausage is made from
(11:04):
the inside out was really cool.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Paul Morel was also.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
An amazing experience because it's like Kristen Wigg is standing
next to you by the craft service and is just
so normal and so kind and so on it. And
it's nine thirty in the morning, and then she's doing
her monologue over and over again, and she's hitting the
beats the way you would expect, but then in a
different kind of way, and she's so charming, and so
it's like watching people excel on the level they do
(11:27):
and also seeing that that is a very human thing
happening and that you're just right there next to it
is really fun and rewarding. And so that was a
pinch me moment to like be in the scene with
her in the same space was very cool.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
That's and that's pretty amazing too. Nobody can say this.
I've heard a lot of people come on this podcast
to have daytime experience and say that night like daytime
is like, oh boy, you got to have your shit
together as soon as possible. That time it feels late
back and you got to not all like you. But
here's the thing. Not a lot of actors can say, hey,
(12:07):
I've been a bit I was a guest character on
one of the longest running television series of all time,
or hey, I've been on this show that features Christian
that I have shared a scene with Christian Wick and
snl Alum and not to mention I'm on the same
guest Cassie as Carol Burnett.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
I appreciate you. I mean, I have had pinched me
moments in my life. I've had other things that have
experienced that also feel very uniquely singular.
Speaker 3 (12:40):
I don't know what to say.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
I hope to continue to have more and more and
more of these things.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
There's that that modality.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
The most exciting thing is the next job, and I
really feel that way. Everything is so cool and it's
so fun, and I'm just looking for more yeses and
to have more these experiences because they really feel like
when you look back on them, you're like wow, but
it's like in the moment, you're just you know, living
through this moment. And so Meryl Streep said that about
(13:12):
something I was studying. She was like about the work
and about the longevity of her career. She's like, only
in reflection do you see all the coolness? And it's like,
There's been so much coolness in my life and I'm.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
So like appreciative of it.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
What goes on in my head every day though, is
what I just said to you, like I need the
next gig, and then learning how to be like relaped
about it and move through it because it's all about energy.
Like I was saying too, I believe it's that's the
interesting thing about being a performer.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
It kind of tapped into all of these truths absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
And now here's the thing I've been also like for
me in my head, it's like, how is this going
to go into that? But at the same time, I
really enjoy my interviews, like and the thing is I
want to be doing this. Like two of my greatest
heroes are Barbara Walters and readers Philip and both of
them had the careers that were over fifty years. I'd
rather be like that than be a flash in a PM.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
No, totally. Oh and I love both of those guys.
And you're great. I love like already.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
You know, you have like a perspective and a directness,
but an emotional like openness.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
It's a great It's Barbara Walter's level, my friend.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Thank you so much, Brian. I really appreciate it being
honored to be in the same league as for one
these days. But like, I still got it. I'm slowly
but storily growing. However, both of us have had experience
of challenges like spasically when we're working in entertainment, in
the industry, it's probably the most competitive world and maybe
(14:44):
second cut through next to politics. So what have been
some of the challenges that you face staying in our
industry and how have you overcome those obstacles.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
This is interesting, you know, because I think it's important
in life to not emphasize genuinely like more of what
you don't want. So if there have been experiences that
cannonly are not ideal like, it's interesting to go through
them and to then acknowledge that and then to know
to move away from it. When I was first starting
(15:17):
out in this industry, I kind of saw that there
are a lot of pitfalls and ways of looking at
things or kind of you know, mentally getting entwined in
certain moments or dealings with people that may not have
been positive.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
That I think is universal and happens to everyone in life.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
But it's like, you know, I like about Hollywood actually
that it is a lot on the line and that
there are authenticity when they're all I think the cream
rises to the top. And I think that like people
like transparency more than ever, and I think that like
all of that plays into like wanting to go through
hard things or things that are not ideal and carry
(15:58):
yourself the way you want to be seen and be
respectful to other people and to other kind of ways
that they may see things, because ultimately that's all you have,
is like how you choose to act, not what other
people say about you, which is not always true even
which is very much a whole other answer, but it's
(16:18):
you know, and so just like deciding how you show up,
and that Hollywood in LA and ertainment industry kind of
demands that of you, like you can pretend to be
that way, but I think it will blow up in
your face eventually. So it's like you kind of have
to continue to eternally internally evolve and be and be
a strong, healthy person. And I could go on for
(16:41):
like twenty more minutes about this answer, but that's what
I actually love about it.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
You know.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
It's like definitely a personality type that I have that
may not may not be what everyone would share, but
I kind of like going through it and having to
like rise to the challenge and grow and constructive criticism
and all of that stuff.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
It's not a it's not a bad thing.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
And it's better. And Brian, you're right because that tipancy matters.
And we have seen a lot of celebrities whose brands,
who like whose brands have been like saying they're authentic.
And then, however, we see in the tabloids in the
entertainment magazines recently, and I can name a couple of
them by you do not want to be sued, So
I we're going so but a lot of people know
(17:24):
who they are.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Yeah, I was thinking in my head right now because
I'm reading about it too, and I'm like, ooh, but
I knew it.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
It's like it feels like you knew it even before
you knew it. That's what I mean about the probaticity.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
How about this book's changed notes after this conversation off camera?
Yeah so, but however, Brian, we got to talk about
what's coming up on Friday, November twenty first, because you
are going to be really releasing the upcoming thriller Reckless
(17:58):
starring Max Elrich, and so what attracts you to this film?
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Sorry? Can you hear me? Are you there?
Speaker 1 (18:18):
I'm here, I'm hearing here. I'm sorry. Sorry, everybody, We've
had technical difficulties. We'll be right back after this. Welcome
back everybody. Sorry about that. We had technical difficulties, but
Brian is back with us. So I was saying before
we went to break Brian that we both will exchange
information on those celebrities who's who was built on onto
(18:40):
dsity But we're but there. But their stuff was shown
by their true colors were shown by townplates. After after
we have our.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Conversation, we have the receids. Yeah, yeah, we'll do that
in apartment.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Yeah, it's but because both of us don't want to
get sued for libel. All right, Yeah, we gotta go
and talk about the meat and potatoes of our conversation.
So on November twenty first, you'll release the up coming
thriller Reckless with your co star Max Ellery. So what
(19:16):
attracted you to this voe?
Speaker 2 (19:23):
That Glenn Close energy, right, that gle energy, gotta gotta get,
gotta be right. Yeah, yeah, we need to bring the gleenergy.
I think that was in the movie du Pervenge. So
just want to give a shout out to them. They
did talk about the glen energy of Glenn Close in
Fail Attraction. It's so iconic, right, So there's an idea
(19:47):
of it, and I honestly wanted to just happen too,
something that I feel like she energetically made and I
wanted to like craft it and take it and make
it my own. It's so tangible and real to me
and distinct like what she did with that being said, like, oh, that.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
Was just the formation of it.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Like ultimately, it's exciting to do something in the landscape
where people kind of get the elevator pitch. So excited
to have a Fatal Attraction reimagining and I mean being
involved in a remake is something that I've never done before,
and so honestly there's an obligation and a responsibility and
excitement because a reference point and so moving around all
(20:29):
that was really appealing to me, like more appealing than
maybe almost anything I've ever made before I've been a
part of. And so it's been a blessing. It's been
a pinch me experience. It's been, oh my god, this
is actually happening. How amazing. You know, I really really
can't speak enough to how awesome it is because of
(20:50):
how much excitement I have over the idea of being
a part of this.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
And I know that you're tackling one of the greatest
to the macdillans all time outs force. So as we're
preparing for the film, can we make sure that your
version will not be compared to lead closest iconic care
portrayal of the character.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
That's such an important thing, you know, like I wanted
to do my own thing. So I mean, first of all,
these are obvious statements, but the context of a guy
having an affair with a man is different. There was
different tones and a different ways that the story moved
that gave me a freedom and a liberty to explore
(21:36):
a different aspect of the character. Just happenedto something that's familiar,
but then to craft someone that's completely distinctly their own person.
Hopefully he's a spiritual successor or twin, so to speak
to the Alex that you know from nineteen eighty seven,
but he can also just be his own distinct person
(21:57):
that has nothing to do with this really, and I
think that that if I do my job right, that
you'll see that. And so I'm proud to have kind
of been able to take it and make it its
own thing, because that's important. But there are a few
moments that just are too too fun because they're very
on the nose to the original movie with all the
reverence and affinity that we have, you know, behind the
(22:20):
scenes for it, because it wasn't just me, it was
everyone on the crew and the cast really likes the movie,
and so we definitely kind of definitely establish our own thing,
which is imperative, and we do a little fun homage
here and there, which is also kind of what you're
thinking people want and we need to do.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
Absolutely. So you had the opportunity to hear Michael Daglets.
Are Glenn Close heard about the movie and why would
you want them to watch it or what do you
hope they take away from this?
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Glenn?
Speaker 2 (22:58):
I love you and you are iconic, and I hope
that you can see the different shades of this original
character and how important it is to tell these stories.
Speaker 3 (23:11):
And Michael Douglas, you dog, here's more men being bad
in the modern day. No, I mean, they're they're the legends,
they're the icons.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
If they ever, you know, look this way, hopefully they'll
see it was done with a lot of respect and
a lot of creative flavor to give it just something
completely new. And I think I was looking at the
script the other day and there's like thirty something scenes
in this that are completely original. I have nothing to
do with fatal attraction, and there's like five or six
(23:42):
that are like, oh, this is exactly fatal election.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
And so when you put that all together, mathe mathematically.
Speaker 2 (23:48):
I was never a mathematician, but I guess, you know,
I'd want them to know that their work is so
well regarded. And then we just took it and we
were able to make something very new in twenty twenty
five and flee them and anyone else that likes that
movie would I wouldn't see that and like it because
it's like it's like making a milk, you know, and
you have all these different ingredients that go into it.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Absolutely, absolutely, And also why should my audience watch Reckless?
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Because you're gonna get something that you're expecting and then
you're gonna get things that you weren't and it's gonna
give you a different kind of view into themes that
are explored, including themes in the Original and Fatal Attraction
that I think are more interesting than ever to look at.
(24:43):
And I'm just like, actually very excited at what the
conversation might be around how this movie goes and what
some of the takeaways are of it.
Speaker 1 (24:54):
Awesome, awesome, So last question, are you ready?
Speaker 3 (25:01):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (25:03):
All right, Brian? Where can my audience find Reckless? And
more importantly, if you're on social media, where would you?
Where would they find you?
Speaker 2 (25:15):
You can find Reckless at recklessmovie dot Net. It's available
to rent and purchase after November twenty first, And you
can find me on Instagram at Brian with a Y
b R Y and Andrew James.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
I'm mostly on Instagram these days.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Yeah, And I appreciate your time and I hope that
everyone has a great holiday.
Speaker 3 (25:39):
And then you know, also checks out this movie.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Absolutely, the guys. If you missed an episode of the
Jakes Take with Jacob Ashar podcast, visit our channels on
Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify and speaker Jake's
Take with Jacob j c O b e l y
ah the ah j R. Now are you on social media?
I'm on me too, Facebook, Instagram, Thread, Twitter, and YouTube
(26:03):
Jacob Ali or j c O b e o y
a c j R. And want to find all my
interviews with some General Hospital alumni, well, head over to
Jake stashchik dot com once a gatting Jake stash chick
dot com. And also, I just want to say that
I want to say thank you so much for the
American Business Awards and the Stevie Awards for considering the
Jake Steake with Jacob elis our podcast to be a
(26:25):
Prouder Silver Wide recipient of the Silver CBE for Best
Interview Talk Show in a Podcasting Division. Brian, thank you
so much for your time. Congratulations on the new film
and I'm very excited to see what you do next.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Thank you, Thank you for having me. It was a
pleasure talking to you all right.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Guys, thank you so much for watching Thank you so
much for listening. Until next time, I have a great one. Everybody,
good bye,
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The Burden
The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.