Having a career since the 1970s means you have done a bit of everything over the years, from Happy Days to Scream. In an interview on Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, Henry Winkler talked about the intensity of the HBO series Barry, in which he stars with Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, and Anthony Carrigan.
Starring as Gene Cousineau, a selfish acting teacher whose own acting career disappeared years ago, becomes a mentor for Bill Hader’s leading character who wants to go from hitman to actor. With a seemingly goofy premise, the show balances drama, thrills, action, and humor. Its latest and third season, which aired in spring, is the darkest and most intense outing yet for the series. For Henry Winkler, Barry is the “most intense” work he has ever done. He also said that going to shoot every day meant he would “have visited a land that was never in my imagination.”
“I think this is the most intense work I have ever done in my career, starting June 30, 1970, when I was hired by the Yale repertory theater for $172 a week.”
Henry Winkler calls the HBO series Barry the “most intense work” he’s done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx6AS0zzfGM
A part of the show’s intensity is the questions and themes that it tackles with its cast of characters. From dangerous yet endearing criminals to eccentric actors, there is a lot of depth that the writers play with, especially in season 3. A major theme was about whether or not people could change. Back when Henry Winkler joined Barry, he asked Hader, the creator of the show, “Am I playing an a–hole?” Now by season 3, the question is now deeper after Gene loses someone at the hands of his student.
“I think the umbrella for season 3 is, can a person change? It was a question Bill asked me in a scene in season 2. And now it is for all of the characters. Is there atonement?”
Henry Winkler will return for Barry season 4. He has been nominated for an Emmy for his supporting role, which he won in 2018. The previous season opened the floodgates for Hader’s hitman and the other characters. After this being the darkest season, the days ahead are looking to continue that tone with the same dashes of comedy sprinkled throughout. You can catch up on the series on HBO Max.