Talking to Andre Braugher, 'Last Resort'

Craving some intel on ABC's action-thriller "Last Resort" (Thursdays at 8 p.m. on ABC/7), we sought out Andre Braugher on the North Shore of Oahu for some answers.

What's the best and worst thing about working in Hawaii?

The best thing is that it's paradise and that it's infused with a fascinating spirit. The worst thing is that it's 5,000 miles away from the people I love. So it's tricky, but opportunities to work on potentially groundbreaking shows cannot be overlooked.

Why were you attracted to this role?

I've done a lot of television, and it's mostly been procedurals, which have their limitations. You know, this week someone is going to be killed and we're going to stand over his body and figure it out. Next week, someone's going to be sick and we're going to cure him. And the next week, someone is going to have a legal problem and we're going to solve it. But here's a story where you just cannot anticipate what's going to happen. I love that.

After the pilot episode, viewers may not know what to make of your character: Is he an honorable hero, or a madman?

They shouldn't be sure about him. ... We're walking that line between a well-reasoned patriot and nuclear madman is important for us to understand. I think it's intriguing to keep that tension alive in Marcus Chaplin because, between his grief and his duty, that's where all the fun is.

What's the one thing you would absolutely need to have if you were stranded on a tropical island?

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare."

You couldn't build a very big fire from that ...

No, you can't build a fire. You can't eat it.

Then why?

Because the life of the mind is important. ... Beyond food and water, the most important thing is to maintain our optimism and our hope.

--Contra Costa Times