LOS ANGELES _ Max Irons was born a decade after the Robert Redford spy thriller "Three Days of the Condor" was released. The British actor still went into the new AT&T Audience Network series "Condor" with a knowledge and appreciation of the film directed by Sydney Pollack. Whether that was a good or bad thing remains the debate.
"I remember my brother watching it at a friend's house when I was there. I watched it again to prepare for the role," Irons says. "I would be lying if I said it wasn't intimidating. Robert Redford has charisma to spare and he always gives this light and witty and intelligent performance. The Sydney Pollack film is a cult classic for a reason."
Irons pauses, smiles and adds, "I considered an acting policy of not actually letting people say Robert Redford's name on the set for fear that I'd just burst into tears."
Irons felt more comfortable as soon as he learned he would not have to mimic the work in the 1975, as the new series is only inspired by key elements in the film where Redford plays a bookish CIA researcher who, after finding all his co-workers dead, must outsmart those responsible.
The series follows Joe Turner (Irons), a CIA analyst who discovers a clue that shines new light on a failed biological attack at a football stadium. The evidence threatens Joe's life along with everyone he cares about. When everyone else in his office is killed, Turner must go on the run to discover who's behind this far-reaching conspiracy and stop them from completing their deadly objective that threatens the lives of millions. How this all unfolds will be very different, simply because there are 10 episodes to use in telling a more complicated story.
It has been more than four decades since "Three Days of the Condor" opened in the wake of Watergate, but the themes in the film that reflected the political and international uncertainties of the time resonate today and will be explored in the series.
"Those themes are timeless," Irons says. "The notion of secrecy and government corruption that's happening through people we really can't identify isn't going anywhere. I think it's an inspiring film. The questions posed are inspiring. So to be able to explore those questions on a long-form format is wonderful."
Irons _ who is the son of Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons _ has worked in both film ("The Host," "Woman in Gold") and television ("The White Queen," "Tutankhamun"). Agreeing to be part of a TV series is always a tough decision for Irons to make because it means committing to what could be long-term association with the project even if the material doesn't live up to the initial standards.
The decision process is complicated even more when it's a production built around politics. There is nothing keeping show creators Jason Smilovic and Todd Katzburg from taking a completely different political slant in a second, third or fourth season.
Irons finally based his decision on the writing in the first script that he found to be relevant, pertinent, complicated and nuanced. He didn't see that the series creators had any political ax to grind.
"I knew this was different from the first couple of pages in," Irons says. "They are trying to present a balanced and sophisticated argument that prompts debate. That's all you can ask for."
The character Irons is playing must face a very brutal world with only the skills passed on to him by his mentor. Asked to compare that to his own life of going out into the acting world with what his father passed on to him, Irons is certain he was given skills he's not even aware of when it comes to acting.
His reasoning is a lot of what Irons has learned came from watching his father at work. Once Irons had made the decision to become an actor, his father offered him one big piece of advice.
"He said 'don't make the mistake of looking at me and your mother (actress Sinead Cusack) and thinking we're examples of how this industry is. We have been tremendously lucky and here by the grace of God. It may not be the same for you so be safe in the knowledge that there will be highs, there will be lows. There will be (expletive) reviews and there will be good reviews,'" Irons says.
His father's words were prophetic, as Irons has experienced ups and downs during his 14 years working in TV and film. Landing the role in "Condor" has convinced Irons he's on another upswing in his career.
"Condor" also stars William Hurt, Mira Sorvino, Leem Lubany, Brendan Fraser and Bob Balaban.
