HEROES MAGAZINE
Issue 7
Malcolm McDowell
The name Mr. Linderman cropped up several times in Heroes season one - and when we finally met him, it was worth it - he was played by none other than Malcolm McDowell. We were lucky enough to meet up with the famous actor to talk about his experiences on the show...
HEROES MAGAZINE: How did you become involved in Heroes originally?
MALCOLM McDOWELL: Well, they offered me the part. Linderman is an extraordinary heavy, but also a cultured man. The characters talk about him for eight episodes or something [before he appears]. They're always talking about this character Linderman, and so I guess they didn't want it to be a big [letdown] when you finally see him. I suppose that they took me to play it because of my acting history. Whatever you do as an actor, if you've been around a long time, as I have, you inevitably come on with a history. This time, it worked for me, not against me. My history is of these great characters that I've played through the years, so, in a sense, I come with that sort of weight and I suppose that's what they wanted for that part. I know they were looking all over the place for somebody to do it. They weren't just offering it around, they were looking for the right person, because it had had such a build-up within the series and they didn't want to misuse him.
The name Mr. Linderman cropped up several times in Heroes season one - and when we finally met him, it was worth it - he was played by none other than Malcolm McDowell. We were lucky enough to meet up with the famous actor to talk about his experiences on the show...
HEROES MAGAZINE: How did you become involved in Heroes originally?
MALCOLM McDOWELL: Well, they offered me the part. Linderman is an extraordinary heavy, but also a cultured man. The characters talk about him for eight episodes or something [before he appears]. They're always talking about this character Linderman, and so I guess they didn't want it to be a big [letdown] when you finally see him. I suppose that they took me to play it because of my acting history. Whatever you do as an actor, if you've been around a long time, as I have, you inevitably come on with a history. This time, it worked for me, not against me. My history is of these great characters that I've played through the years, so, in a sense, I come with that sort of weight and I suppose that's what they wanted for that part. I know they were looking all over the place for somebody to do it. They weren't just offering it around, they were looking for the right person, because it had had such a build-up within the series and they didn't want to misuse him.
Apart from Entourage, you haven't done any continuing roles on American television since the 1998 remake of Fantasy Island. What drew you to Heroes?
Well, it's a brilliantly written show, and the part was great. I did three episodes in the first season and it was all so well done and such a great, fun part. It was a no-brainer to return. And then when I actually started doing it, I had such a good time. I was actually shooting [Rob Zombie's Halloween remake] at the same time, so I was running from one set to another, but I had such a good time on Heroes. I was very disappointed when they killed me off. And the character proved to be so popular with the fans of the show that I guess that's why they decided to bring me back after the strike.
I actually met up with Tim Kring independently at the Jules Verne Film Festival, and he was a very nice guy, and he said, "Oh, we're looking for ways to bring Linderman back." I said, "Well, if you invite me back, of course I'll come!" He said, "Good. Well, we figured you would." So I didn't really think too much about it, but sure enough, he was as good as his word.
When Linderman was plotting mass destruction in season one, did he think he was doing the right thing?
I presume so, yeah. Well, I suppose you could say that of Stalin or Hitler, [with the concept of] ethnic cleansing. That's basically what he's talking about - getting rid of half of New York to start again. Out of the rubble, there will be a new beginning. It's all nonsense, of course, but he came up with a reason. If only 0.003 percent of the population die, it's an acceptable loss. He thinks about stuff like this.
How did you and the production team achieve the effect of Linderman reviving dead plants?
They'd put in a dead-looking plant, I'd hold it for a minute and then they'd change it to one that was fresh and alive, and they'd cut it in.
Who have you mostly had scenes with this season?
It was Nathan [Adrian Pasdar] again - the Petrelli family - including Arthur Petrelli, played by Robert Forster. That's who I end up doing my scenes with in my last show, and that's when it's revealed what's what. I have a great scene with Cristine Rose [Angela Petrelli]. My last scene on the show was with her and it was a real belter, the best scene I've had this year, so that was good. That was fun, to go out on a high.
• Read the full interview in issue 7 of Heroes: The Official Magazine - on sale now! For more information visit www.titanmagazines.com/heroes.
