Barry Duffield
Barry Duffield is an actor, writer and director who is known to many as Germanic warrior Lugo in Starz swords and sandals series, Spartacus. He is also the author of his the fantastic graphic novel Deadman's Land and is currently preparing for the release of his second. Barry has also appeared in such shows as Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1998), Xena: Warrior Princess (1998) and Shortland Street (1994-2009). Barry has written and directed two short film: The Meeting (2001) and Hold the Anchovies (2004).
SN: Good afternoon, Barry. Welcome to Screen Nut and thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. For those that are unaware, you was born in Billingham, England before immigrating to Australia. How did it feel for you as a young boy moving away to a new country, and how easy was it to adapt to the different surroundings?
Barry: I was five or six when we immigrated to Australia. Our first port of call was an immigration camp. This is where my mom had her first encounter with a Australian wildlife. In this case; a giant Rat that had taken up occupancy in the bottom draw of her dresser. She freaked!
We moved in with my dad's brother, uncle Roy, until we moved into our own place in Woodridge, Brisbane. My mom had her second encounter with Australian wildlife here; a plate sized Huntsman Spider. It was working its way up the outside of the window and my mom insisted that my father kill it. My dad promptly obeyed and took to it with a ceramic flooring tile. Rather than flattening the poor arachnid, it drove it through the window. Glass went everywhere and the Spider landed on my mom's shoulder. She freaked!
Forty odd years on and my mom scoops the Huntsman's up in a hatbox to be deposited somewhere in the bush. I'm pretty sure she'd make a pretty good Snake wrangler. Nothing much freaks her any more.
We moved to Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory in 1972 and this is where my love of film and television was to bloom. One of my first jobs was the assistant projectionist at the Gove cinema. Theft and luck saw me gain this position... curious?
SN: I imagine being an assistant projectionist must have been quite a fascinating job for someone so young. What was it about this that sparked your interest and how did that lead eventually to your landing your first acting role? It goes without saying that I am indeed curious to know how larceny played its role?
Barry: I was stealing movie posters while the sessions were running. John Johnson, who at the time I was pissed at, put me into the manager, David. I was given three options, police, parents, or work for my ill-gotten gains. I, of course, opted for the work. David taught me how to lace the old 35mm carbon rod projectors, how to replace the rods without frying myself, how to splice film, and change the reels right on the cigarette burns - I was in heaven.
Then I took a thirteen year Segway into the Royal Australian Air-Force. The RAAF, a night at the Darwin Casino, and a red and white Kawasaki GPX-750-R got me back on track and into my first TV commercial.
SN: Once you got your first taste of acting, did you ever have any forethoughts as to where you saw yourself headed? Were there specific goals you set for yourself or was it a case of just going along for the ride and taking it one day at a time?
Barry: 2015 me flashes back to 1988 me "Get to NIDA or film school or both... Now!" I love both of my parents beyond words. I wish "we" had seen and discussed my obsession with film while I was in my teens... Regrets? I have a few. I think I've been stumbling through my career and I only really began to focus in my 40's. Now I am focused and hungry and realizing that 50 is just the beginning.
SN: Stepping away from the past for the moment and bringing things more up to date; most people know you as an actor, specifically for a certain role, which I will get to later. However, what they might not know is that you have also written a great graphic novel titled Deadman's Land. Tell us about DL and the team that helped bring it together.
Barry: Deadman's Land started out life as a screenplay and was a 2013 Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Competition quarter finalist and a 2014 Scriptapalooza Screenwriting competition quarter finalist (Both international industry recognised competitions) I crowd funded for the budget to have Steve Stern, Graphic Novel Adaptation, LA, do the adaptation and between family, friends and some amazing Spartacus fans I raised most of the cash needed. Tyler Sowles is the amazing artist behind the content and I'm currently having a new cover created by the uber talented, Mr. Dave Wilkin. It's currently rating five stars across the globe on Amazon, so get on there and buy a copy. I'll happily sign all copies put in front of me and you'll be helping fund my 2nd graphic novel Tandoori Apocalypse.
SN: Already brought and read my copy, although signing my Kindle might make for awkward usage of it in the future. Plus shipping it there and back may be a slight hassle. Now, Deadman's Land is about a squad of paratroopers fighting against genetically- altered Nazi Werewolves during WW2. Where did the idea come from? Is there a natural passion in you for mythical creatures and what was the appeal of setting it in that period?
Barry: Firstly; buy a print copy and one day I will sign for you at a UK convention. I've always been a fan of the Werewolf movie with 80 plus of them in my DVD collection. An American Werewolf in London, The Howling, and the Underworld series are my inspirations, but I wanted to do something fresh and get a different take on the origins of the beast. I'm also a big fan of WW2 movies. Throw in a little dash of Hitler's obsession with the occult and you have Deadman's Land.
SN: Now you mentioned Deadman's Land as starting off as a screenplay. With so many successful graphic novel live-adaptations out there, can we expect to add DL to this list in the future?
Barry: I've had an offer from a New Zealand based gaming company, but the catch is that it has to be in conjunction with a film production company. Both would be made back to back. My first goal is get a US based literary manager. Hens teeth are easier to find.
SN: So following on from the success of Deadman's Land; what can you tell us about your second novel Tandoori Apocalypse? Also, which brings out the strongest passion in you; acting or writing?
Barry: Tandoori Apocalypse is essentially Shaun of the Dead meets Clerks with a dash of Bollywood. Two of my friends are Indian comedians/actors and one of the funniest stand up duos I've ever seen. They were probably my biggest inspiration for writing the screenplay. Issue #1 Tandoori Apocalypse: Bombay Rounding will be out soon
As far as my split passions go: It's project dependent. But I'd probably hedge towards writing.
SN: How did you land the role of Lugo, and what attracted you to him?
Barry: I'd seen season one of Spartacus: Blood and Sand and was instantly a fan. I'd also seen Andy in Gabriel and knew I wanted to work with him. It turned out that I was too old to be a gladiator, but season two changed the playing field. It was also when Andy fell ill and I never got the opportunity to meet him.
I auditioned for the role and Steven DeKnight took a liking to me. The rest, as they say, is history. I got to meet Steven in LA at the Spartacus: War of the Damned premier and I can truthfully tell you that he is a really nice guy. I'd love to work with him again.
I loved that Lugo could switch from the clown to killer in a moment. It gave him depth. His friendship with Nasir (Pana Hema Taylor) was pretty special too. I only wish they had played with that a little more in WotD.
Barry Duffied as Lugo, in Spartacus: Vengeance.
SN: Spartacus was wonderfully diverse in its characters and actors, and I imagine that it must have been so much fun to be a part of as well as physically demanding. How intense was the training and what are some of your favourite memories or behind the scenes stories from your time on the show?
Barry: I've been training since I was 23, but the Spartacus Boot Camp still kicked my ass. I think Alan Poppleton is a sadistic bastard, love/hate you buddy.
I got the opportunity to work with the most amazing cast and crew. To name a few moments is almost impossible. Getting the piss taken out of me on a daily basis by Dustin was both a joy and a curse. Working a scene with Pana was sheer bliss; I love that uber talented guy.
Memorable and scary; the day Alfie took a piss on producer Chloe Smith's $500 shoes. Then reading on the call sheet that reparations of Champagne and chocolates had better be on her desk by close of day.
The day that Liam had to be broken out of his trailer while locked in there with three wardrobe girls. I still think he super glued it shut.
Having to wrestle Conan Stevens was like throwing yourself at the Empire State Building and hoping to topple it - He broke me.
My first stunt fight with Manu - He really broke me. Watch that big pile-driver he executes on me in Vengeance episode 7. I popped a rib right there.
SN: Aside from working on your second graphic novel, what else can we expect from you in the near future?
Barry: I'm working on several screenplay projects at any one time; currently on Viking Wars and Blood Reef. This year there a few Spartacus cons on the cards and I'm hoping to book in a couple of Comic-cons. As for anything else "Expect the unexpected"
SN: Finally, if you were to pick one moment from your career that you cherish the most, what would it be?
BD: Walking the red carpet with my beautiful wife on my arm at the Spartacus: War of the Damned premier in LA.
SN: That's a nice answer. Barry Duffield, thank you very much for taking the time to speak with me, it has been an honour. Congratulations on the success of Deadman's Land and all of your other accomplishments so far. I look forward to reading Tandoori Apocalypse and following your forthcoming projects closely. Thank you. Now, remove yourself from f@#king sight.
Barry: You're welcome, Mike :-)
"Fick dich, du kleine Fotze" ~ Lugo
BTW, Tandoori Apocalypse issue #1 is almost ready to be kicked out of the nest. Stay tuned :-)
