Pic from Queens University Film Studies
Tom McCamus: Cinefantastique interview, on Ground Control
Cinefantastique Volume 34 Number 5
Mutant X Meanie
As a wigged-out Marvel adversary, Tom McCamus gets to play evil with an agenda.
By Miwa Hirai
In the beginning, Mutant X was just one of many. In the midst of several new and highly-anticipated SF shows, including Enterprise, Mutant X received only minor public attention, mostly relating to the legal issues between its producers and those of X-Men over alleged similarities to the blockbuster movie. Yet fans quickly became hooked on Mutant X, and the series became the top-rated new drama in first-run syndication.
Mutant X is based on a concept by Marvel Studios President Avi Arad (executive producer of Mutant X) and Executive Consultant / Head Writer Howard Chaykin, who penned such comics as Superman and Indiana Jones and has also worked as writer/producer on a number of television series, including Gene Roddenberry’s Earth: Final Conflict.
Mutant X is set in contemporary America. The story opens with the revelation that a covert branch of U.S. intelligence has for years been secretly sponsoring a human genetics program. The front for this government conspiracy is Genomex, a biotech firm that’s actually a cover for the Genetic Security Agency. A former Genomex researcher known only as Adam (John Shea) helped devise genetically-enhanced mutants who were imprinted with extraordinary abilities. Since leaving Genomex, Adam has taken on the responsibility of saving his innocent creations by becoming the leader of Mutant X, a core group of “Children of Genomex,” who protect their fellow mutants from harm and exploitation. The team members: Shalimar Fox, (Victoria Pratt), who is blessed with both human and animal DNA; tough, street-smart Brennan Mulwray (Victor Webster), a master of electricity who hurls bolts of energy from his fingertips; Jesse Kilmartin (Forbes March), a shape-shifter who can exert frightening control over his mutant form, and the youngest member, Emma deLauro (Lauren Lee Smith), a telepath who can read the feelings of others around her.
There is another force in Genomex. Security Chief Mason Eckhart (Tom McCamus) commands his forces to hunt down the new mutants and remove them from society. Eckhart intends to control the mutants and use them as research subjects. The new mutants – in particular, four young individuals who live in the mountain stronghold of Sanctuary, the headquarters of Mutant X – find themselves caught between opposing forces.
Winnepeg native Tom McCamus seems to really enjoy playing Adam’s nemesis. “I have played some diverse characters throughout my acting career, but have never been involved in a full season of a television show. Actually, most of my work has been on stage, film, or as a guest on one episode. To be part of a family, watching them develop something over the year, has been great. I’ve played a lot of evil characters, but to play one over a long period of time, to find variety in the character and one who has a specific purpose in the grand scheme of things, has been a challenge.”
McCamus won a 1993 Genie Award for Best Actor for his performance in David Wellington’s feature film, I Love A Man In Uniform. He has also appeared in such films as The Sweet Hereafter and The Heist, along with such TV shows as Due South and Tekwar. “I was asked if I would be interested in playing the part,” he recalled. “I thought about it for a long time and then said, ‘Yes.’ I think, as an actor, to have fun doing what you do is important, so I took the opportunity. Playing an evil man is fun to me.”
Well, playing the man under Andy Warhol’s wig would be fun for anyone. “The wig is a collaboration idea – FX artists, directors, actor and producers. When we were in the special effects studio experimenting with plastic skin and silicon, we tried on a number of wigs. The white one had the right, creepy feel to it. The one I wear now was made later on, when it was decided that the wig shouldn’t be so wild.”
“The first day on the set was about getting to know who everyone was and what they did, as well as trying to find the basis for who my character would become. The wig was very comfortable and gave me a good jumping-in [point], establishing Eckhart. Similar to wearing a mask.
“I try not to analyze Eckhart. I receive each new script a week before shooting and discern his development from that. From the outside, he is an evil man, so I try to inject as much cold heartlessness into him as I can. On the inside, he is a human being, so I try to soften him with a bit of humor.”
Eckhart blames Adam for the failed experiment that requires him to be forever insulated in an impermeable, artificial skin. His hatred for new mutants grows greater for every day that Mutant X exists. He won’t give up until all “anomalies” are under his control. “Adam is his rival,” noted McCamus. “But much as Eckhart hates him, he does have a healthy respect for his intelligence and abilities.”
Mutant X went into production with a 44-episode guarantee. At the time of this writing, they had just finished shooting the first season’s cliffhanger finale. What does McCamus feel are the high points of his on-set experience, so far? “I’m very bad at relaying anecdotes,” he replied. “If I do find something, I usually can’t put it into words. Either that, or it will be about the particular brand of salsa that craft brought on the set. Sorry. I can’t say that I have any one favourite episode through the season. However, there is a scene concerning death by spaghetti that I quite enjoyed doing. And in season two, I’m looking forward to ‘waking up’. You’ll see what I mean.”
© Cinefantastique
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