While Ted Lasso fans eagerly await Coach Beard’s triumphant return to the pitch, Brendan Hunt has taken on a new role that no one saw coming. Stepping into the world of academia, Dr. Anton Hill encourages people to squash their fears. During a recent interview with FlickDirect, the talented actor, writer, and entertainer shared his inspiration behind this character and offered insight into his approach to many of his roles.
It has been a big summer for Hunt. In addition to the Ted Lasso Season 4 announcement, he started in Elio, has done several stage performances, and assumed the character of Dr. Anton Hill. While each role is unique, a few concepts guide his approach.
Specifically, Hunt mentioned that he goes back to a concept: what is the best way to serve the piece?
He said, “When doing theater, the focus was always about serving the piece. You don’t serve yourself.”
Although that concept sounds lofty, it makes tremendous sense. Inflection, cadence, or even just a slight nod needs to bring value to the role. It is not about putting him, or even his character first, it is about the totality of the experience.
When asked about Ted Lasso’s Coach Beard and whether he could potentially have more moments to shine in that storyline, Hunt believes that this character does not need that spotlight.
He said, “Beard lives to support. He’s comfortable to support. He does not have aspirations of being a higher-ranking coach.”
Coach Beard might not have shining moments of glory, but he epitomizes a concept that makes the ensemble cast greater. Hunt explained an improv technique that drives his approach to this character. It goes back to what is truly needed in that moment. Observation coupled with realization allows his character to let each person have their piece of the scene. No one steps on each other’s toes.
Speaking of stepping on toes, choosing to smash out fears is part of his latest role as Dr. Anton Hill. The special character created for the Raid commercials balances that academic side with a little playfulness.
When asked how he approached this character, Hunt said he thought back to some improv characters that he played. It was an idea that harkened back to
“professors who were slightly full of themselves, maybe they believe that they are a little better than what they are. At the same time, their heart is in the right place.”
While most people have a can of Raid under the sink, it is not the topic that is discussed in polite company. From the squeamish to just the ick factor, Dr Hill helps to bring a little laughter to a difficult subject.
Hunt believes that there is a bigger topic woven into this short clip.
He said, “This actually feels like it’s a metaphor for confronting your fears in general. I’ve found that young people have had a hard time in the last few years. If confronting their fears is one of those things, this is the push to get after it.”
While his fiancée might still be working on her fear of squishing spiders, Brendan appreciates that there is some universality to the concept. Those childhood fears and dislikes are not just magically erased when you become a particular age.
As a parent to young boys, he is working on giving his kids the confidence to overcome their fears. Although the youngest is not quite to that point, his four-year-old is working on just getting along with his younger sibling.
Still, Hunt appreciates the bigger concept and how it will apply in the future.
He said, “There are those big parental crossroads. You want them to know that you will forever and always be there for them. Also, you want to give them ways to be independent, strong, and be able to handle their own problems. Those are items for us down the road because right now we just want him to eat the darn vegetables.”
Being a parent has even influenced Hunt’s role choices. Currently, he can be seen as Gunther Melmac in Pixar’s Elio.
When asked about why he decided to pursue that role, Hunt explained,
“I feel very fortunate to be raising a kid in the Golden Age of streaming. When I was little, you had to watch whatever was on, and it was a lot of garbage. Now, you can pull up Toy Story any time. I’ve discovered that I really like these movies, and they are really masterpieces. Right now, my son doesn't recognize me in Elio, but I’m hoping at some point he will realize it.”
Whether he is Coach Beard or Dr. Anton Hill, one thing brings all these characters together. Appreciating how a person serves a piece not just themselves, in all aspects of life, is vital. From conquering fears to fulfilling a purpose, a little laughter makes the journey even more enjoyable.
Tags: ted lasso, raid, brendan hunt, apple tv+