Source: Aussie TV Week
Date: October 1, 2009

After breaking fan’s hearts when cult show Moonlight bit the dust, Alex O’Loughlin took time out while waiting for a role he was equally passionate about. He talks to TV WEEK about his small screen comeback in hospital drama Three Rivers.

What is Three Rivers about?

It’s about a transplant hospital in Pittsburgh. We tell our story from three different perspectives; from the organ donor and their family; from the recipient of the organ and their loved ones; and from the hospital surgical team.

Of all the medical dramas on air, which is Three Rivers most like – and why will it be a hit?

I’m not going to compare it. The reason I believe this show is going to be an enormous hit is because I’m in it. No, that was a joke! If you print that as a serious comment I’ll never do another interview with TV WEEK again! The reason I think it’s going to be a big hit is because it’s a character-driven show. Every character is so strong and there’s a world behind them all – and they’re really exciting worlds.

Tell us about your character.

Andy Yablonski is a working-class boy who came good. He’s self-educated, self-made and discovered at the end of a misspent youth that he had an ability and capacity to heal. So he broke off from the people in his life and made something of himself – Andy’s since become the youngest hot surgeon in transplant medicine. He’s a rule breaker, but it always comes from a benevolent place.

How much will we learn about Andy’s story as the season progresses?

You’re going to see where he came from. Currently, he’s living in a little hostel connected to the hospital because he’s separated from his wife. He’s completely convinced that they’re going to work through their problems, but I don’t know how much hope the rest of us hold. I read the scripts and I go, “Oh Andy, you darling thing. You love her so much, mate, don’t you?” But we’ll see…

We hear your character is based on a real doctor, Gonzo Gonzalez…

Yes, he is, and he’s now one of my best friends and someone I hold in the highest regard. I spent quite a bit of time watching Gonzo operate; sitting next to him for many procedures. I even did rounds with him and saw patients. Some of them lived and some died. Gonzo’s a big part of why I’m doing this.

You sat in on actual surgeries?

I sat in on a lot of stuff. I could fix your heart if anyone broke it!

Did it gross you out?

Not at all. I was deeply, deeply fascinated and quietly shocked. When you first see the human body cracked open… it was just the most amazing thing. Gonzo mentioned a training program that goes for 15 years…

So if this whole acting thing falls through we’ll know where to find you?

Yeah, back at school, mate!

THE ER TEAM

While other dramas are a hotbed of cast rivalries, Alex assures TV WEEK that’s not the case on Three Rivers.

“The cast are all great mates. Everyone gets on like a house on fire, it’s fantastic,” he raves. “They’re all smoking hot actors as well. You’ve got to bring your A-game to this thing because they’re all so good!” Here, he’ll introduce the main players at Three Rivers hospital.

Dr. Miranda Foster
(Katherine Moennig)

“Miranda is on her way to becoming a surgeon. She’s also the daughter of the man who founded the institute we all work in, so there’s a little bit of pressure there! Miranda never really got to know her father as he was a workaholic and now he’s passed away. She carries a deep sadness, almost regret, about not establishing more of a relationship with him.”

Pam Acosta
(Justina Machado)

“Pam is Andy’s physician’s assistant and essentially his right hand. In every surgery he does, she’s his wingman. It’s a very sibling-esque, great relationship.

Dr. Sophia Jordan
(Alfre Woodard)

“Dr. Jordan is the administrator of the hospital. She’s the big mama, the boss, and she and Andy have a solid but, at times, tumultuous relationship. It’s because he’s the best at what he does but he has a fire in him and sometimes he has to be pulled up and put into line.”

Dr. David Lee
(Daniel Henney)

“David is one of the other residents of the hospital and he’s just great.”

Ryan Abbott
(Christopher J. Hanke)

“Ryan doesn’t have a medical background. He’s brought in on one level and is now being utilized on another. He’s there for humor, which is something there’s a lot of in medical institutions – when you’re around death every day, man, you’ve got to laugh or you’re going to blow your head off!”

Dr. Lisa Reed
(Amber Clayton)

“At the moment, Amber’s character is recurring. She plays Dr. Lisa Reed, who runs the ER department downstairs. I certainly hope that she’s going to come onboard full-time because she’s just fantastic.