From ‘Westworld’ to ‘Sugar’: Brian Gilleece on Working Opposite Colin Farrell and Hollywood’s Biggest Names
Actor Brian Gilleece has quietly built an impressive career across television, film and commercials, appearing in acclaimed projects including ‘Westworld’, ‘Matlock’, ‘Hollywood’ and ‘Mayans M.C.’. Along the way, he has shared the screen with talents such as Kathy Bates, Aaron Paul, Evan Rachel Wood, Dylan McDermott and Darren Criss, while collaborating with celebrated creatives including Ryan Murphy, Jonathan Nolan, Peter Berg and Derek Cianfrance. Now, Brian recurs as Iain in the newly released second season of Apple TV’s hit drama ‘Sugar’, starring Colin Farrell. We caught up with him to discuss his journey from New England to Hollywood, memorable collaborations and what it was like joining the world of ‘Sugar’.
For readers discovering your work for the first time, could you tell us a little about your acting journey and some of the people you’ve had the opportunity to work with throughout your career? Which collaborations have been particularly memorable or influential for you?
Growing up in New England, acting was never something that seemed like a real, actual job I could pursue. Most of my friends went into the insurance industry or Wall Street or education. I played tons of sports growing up, mostly focusing on hockey and golf, and went to university to study business. College is where my entertainment itch grew more prominent. I hosted a dozen sports and talk radio shows and did play-by-play for a few teams. I would dip away to Boston from time to time to try my hand at stand-up. Pro tip: Boston is not the ideal place to “try your hand” at stand-up comedy… or maybe it is, because they will let you know exactly how you’re doing!
When I moved to LA, I decided to pursue acting professionally. For me, it’s a lifelong pursuit, and something I am drawn to about the craft because being in sports is the opposite and does have that clock.
I’ve been incredibly lucky to be on some massive sets with some of the most amazing talent in the world to learn from – Kathy Bates, Aaron Paul, Evan Rachel Wood, Dylan McDermott, Darren Criss, Jim Parsons and, of course, most recently Colin Farrell on ‘Sugar’.
One early collaboration that was particularly influential to me was on a Nike commercial directed by Derek Cianfrance (‘The Place Beyond the Pines’, ‘Blue Valentine’, ‘Roofman’). I was stunt and fitness doubling PGA Tour golfer Rory McIlroy, and the commercial went on to win DGA Commercial of the Year.
I worked very closely with Derek for a few weeks and just watching his quiet command of the set, his collaboration with all the departments and the care he showed to talent was a joy to experience, especially at the beginning of my career. I knew from the callback I was in good hands and part of something special. I’d love to work with him again in the future.
You recur as Iain in ‘Sugar’ Season 2. What attracted you to the project, and what was your experience like working on the series alongside Colin Farrell?
When you have the opportunity to work with someone whose work and choices inspired you, that’s what it’s all about, right? He’s had so much success, taken so many risks and, because of that, made some really great films and now some incredible TV too.
So I don’t know if I would say I was working alongside Colin, but I was certainly trying to learn as much as I could from him (and just trying to keep up)! What I did not expect – and probably should have – was how much collaboration went on between him, the director and Sam Catlin, the showrunner. There was a very specific reason for everything, and if Colin had something he felt strongly about, he was advocating for his character and the story itself.
The set very much felt like the best summer camp. We shot a week of overnights at this mansion up in the hills where you could see the DTLA skyline. Colin and Laura Donnelly were chatting, telling stories, talking fitness, cracking jokes and napping between takes. Just kickin’ it. It was surreal.
Your career has included television, film and commercial work. Looking back, which projects are you most proud of and why?
I’m proud of each project I’ve been part of, including the few I’ve created, because each marks a notch of growth or movement forward, or a chance to observe a great actor or director, or make a new connection. However, one that stands out would have to be a scene I did on ‘Westworld’ with Aaron Paul and Evan Rachel Wood. I played Michael Tritter in Season 3. It was by far the biggest location shoot I had ever experienced.
We shot in DTLA with 300 extras, electric scooters everywhere, multiple cameras on cranes, and I’m standing in position ready to go when I hear, “Hey Brian! Brian, what’s up man?”It turns out it was the building engineer from a sales job I had when I first moved to LA. Suddenly it dawned on him that I was actually in the scene and he hit me with a double thumbs up and said, “You’re doing the thing, man!”
It was such a great reminder to stop and really take in how awesome it was to be working on such a giant worldwide show. I try to do that on every job now.
Is there anything about your role as Iain or your experience on ‘Sugar’ that audiences might find surprising or particularly interesting?
People may be surprised to know that the role was originally listed as recurring with no scripted lines. I think a lot of actors would have turned down the audition immediately. But my team knew I would be up for such a mysterious character, especially for a show I was already genuinely a fan of after watching the first season when it aired. Also, I’m a big suit guy – love a good suit – and it was clear this guy was going to be well dressed.
Moose Khan played my equally mysterious counterpart and we both leaned into the physicality of our characters. These people with all the money in the world who can operate with impunity – how do they sit? Hold a drink? Move through a room? Look at other people without drawing too much attention to themselves?
Looking back on your experience filming ‘Sugar’, what was the most rewarding part of being involved in the series, and what do you hope audiences take away from it?
Having worked on the show on and off for almost five months, this was the longest I’ve been on a project so far. The last day of filming, when Chris Fletcher, the 1st AD, called a season wrap on me in front of that giant cast and crew at this extravagant Hollywood Hills mansion as the sun was coming up at 6:45 in the morning – yah, that was a pretty special moment.
I gave Moose and Laura a big hug and then walked over to Colin, who said, “Well done, man.” It hit home for sure. I have always loved being part of a team, and as a working actor we pop in and pop out, so we don’t always get to be part of those moments.
To get to be part of such a special creative team where everyone’s contribution was valued at every level means a lot. Sam and the team made each of us feel free to collaborate, which for an actor is really all you can ask for.
I also learned so much about what it really means to be number one on the call sheet. Watching Colin’s work ethic around his performance and his leadership when the cameras weren’t rolling was really inspiring. I hope audiences can feel how much every single person on that set cared and gave their all to the project to make it a very exciting season.