Goggins Has No Fear of Playing Southern in 'Justified'
Tenley Woodman - Boston Herald
Mar 24, 2010
Given Walton Goggins' resume, the last thing you might connect with the actor known for playing bad guys is a blog about a spiritual journey to India.
His travelogue, hindutoyoutoo.blogspot.com , isn't the only seeming contradiction to his onscreen work.
"People would be surprised that the person who plays ("The Shield" 's) Shane Vendrell likes shopping for antiques and traveling off the grid, and enjoys art and good wine," Goggins said.
Now the Georgia-raised star is hoping to debunk Southern stereotypes in FX's "Justified," tonight at 10.
He has a worthy challenge with his character, Boyd Crowder, a coal miner turned criminal and white-power leader in Harlan County, Ky.
"I'm very well versed in Southern culture and how it is reflected in our art. I didn't want to do this show or play Boyd (Crowder) initially because I didn't want to perpetuate that stereotype. It is trite and boring," Goggins said during a recent telephone interview with the Herald.
"Like with any other subculture, you go for the easy answers, and there are no easy answers. I was heartened by my creative conversations in making Boyd different."
Last week's episode left Boyd on the brink of death following a showdown with stoic lawman Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant, "Deadwood").
"The person you meet in the first episode is 180 degrees from who you meet in episode two," Goggins said. "He doesn't necessarily believe all he espouses."
Though "The Shield" may make a comeback -Goggins said the show's creators are considering a film -- fans shouldn't expect Shane to show up in Harlan County.
"(Boyd) is a completely different man. His actions may not change, but his motivations for those actions change dramatically," he said. "Shane was being led down a path. He was a follower. Boyd is a leader."
Goggins said he is also proud to show viewers a part of America that is often overlooked in film and TV.
"I'm all for exploring New York City or Boston, but there is a third of our country that is steeped in Southern culture," Goggins said. "It is time that a bucolic culture is reflected in our art, and it is something not to shy away from, but to be celebrated. I hope (Southerners) tune in to see their sense of humor and style of life."
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