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Spoilers follow forSuccessionseason four, episode eight, America Decides.
When Roman finds me, you see my back, and its like,There he is.
Theres that evil guy.
It must be fun to play someone so dastardly.Its always good to play a villain as an actor.
Saying horrible stuff because its yourjobis the best.
No ones going to get mad, because its not real life.
And of course, doing it with Jesse Armstrong and his room of folks writing the words thats high-end.
Who were you looking to when preparing for the role?I dont know that a specific parallel exists.
Hes alt-right, but he talks smart.
Hes not a Lauren Boebert.
Hes super-charismatic, so hes not Josh Hawley either.
You cant have, essentially, afaux-hawk.
So theres an element of that too: Guys who arent necessarily in Congress but are talkers.
Mencken definitely talks one way behind closed doors and another way publicly.
The only general notes I remember getting from the guys that spin up the thing were Keep it cheery.
Youre saying some terrible things, and thats the spin you want on it.
Hes playing out what he thinks America should look like.
Where did this guy emerge from?I imagine he represents a red district in a blue state.
Maybe hes from Michele Bachmanns district in Minnesota.
(I say that because Im from Minnesota.)
But I dont need to know everyones full backstory.
Thats a fun thingSuccessiondoes: It doesnt tell you everything youre not seeing.
You, as an audience member, can fill that in for yourself.
But some things I honestly dont know.
Thats the fun thing about being a guest onSuccession.
You only read the stuff youre involved in.
So I can enjoy it on television like the rest of the world.
But I trust these guys to make the story theyre telling.
Are you the first actor to play both a neo-Nazi and a rabbinical student?Ah, its possible!
Ive played several Jews, but this is my second Nazi.
Ill take it as some sort of compliment on my very deep range.
OnPerry Mason, you play a DA who believes in an illusion of justice more than justice itself.
And this episode ofSuccessionis all about your characters role in this illusion of democracy.
I dont know that he would give the illusion of speech.
Menckens relationship with Roman is something from last season that fans really responded to.
Can you talk about Whether were fucking?
He does send eggplant emoji to Roman.It made me laugh when I saw that.
Mencken does have a wife and child for what thats worth … and thats probably not worth anything.
I know that people felt the scene in the bathroom had a charge to it.
It was March or April of 21.
It was my first job, and I had been pretty locked down.
I think that gave us a little jolt.
Why do you think Mencken and Roman are so drawn to each other?They both like being dicks.
They both find it funny to have that vibe.
And I might be president, so thats good for him.
And personality-wise, they do meld.
I dont know whats actually going to be on television, so Ill be staying tuned.
How about itsactuallyBran fromGame of Thrones?
HBO doesnt do those classic TV crossovers.
It should do more of those.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
