Â鶹ԼÅÄ Cult - Printer Friendly Version
David Franklin - The man who sucks up like no other as yes-man Braca.
Becoming Braca
Tell us how you got the role as Braca?
It was very short notice actually. I went in the day before they started shooting Braca. I think there was some change of cast, because I went in and talked to a director the day before, and then I was on the set the next day.
I thought it was for a show called Fire Escape. I imagined I’d look pretty good in a fireman’s helmet. Turned out it was for a show called Farscape. I learnt that pretty quickly. I catch on.
How much did you know about the show before joining it?
I knew nothing. Less than nothing. And of course, Farscape is this whole new universe, they’ve created this entire world. So I went in with less than 24 hours notice, and had to very quickly adapt and pretend I knew what I was talking about. It was so, so, bizarre.
There was this whole world and terminology that I had to do a crash course in. I had no idea what an arn was, what a microt was, what a vector 6-something was. For the first couple of weeks, I was not at my most relaxed. It’s not the sort of dialogue [that’s easy to learn]. And the terms! It’s not colloquial dialogue. So it kept me on my toes.
Manipulative motivations
What's your idea of Braca's real character?
He’s a man whose mission is to tiptoe through the minefield of various alliances as a Peacekeeper, and to not only survive but thrive. Power, you know, is quite an aphrodisiac. He’s a political animal.
Was it difficult to keep Braca such a consistent character when he didn't have a lot of screen time?
Well, that was very frustrating to start with. About halfway through season two David Kemper came up to me and said, "I love what you’re doing, I’ve got big plans for you." And I though, "Yeah, yeah".
Sure enough, there’s been an arc and a growth of the character, and you can see how Braca has matured and actually grown into his role as a Captain. He’s not just a manipulative slimeball who’s not capable. He’s actually proved himself to be capable. And the fact that there has been that growth, that’s kept me interested.
After what we've seen in season four, is there a shred of loyalty in Braca after all?
Well, where are you up to? Ah, in that case, all I say is a-hah!
Pornographic Peacekeepers
What are the Grayza scenes like to do?
Sexual harrasment in the workplace, is that what you’re talking about? Yeah, it was so bizarre, getting away from Scorpius’s rule, and thinking, "Hah, got a lady boss. Things will be a little bit more relaxed. There might be a few scatter cushions around the Command Carrier. A bit more talk about feelings and emotions." No.
It was straight from the frying pan into the fire with Commandant Grayza. Poor Braca’s been molested in the workplace with her sex gland. She actually gave up a great deal of her life to get that sex gland. She’s used every trick in the book for her quest for power. It’s been really fun, doing that.
What's it like working with Rebecca Riggs?
We have a blast. As I’m sure you’re aware, her outfit just covers her nipples, as all good Commandant’s outfits do. One day she said, "Are they even?" and I thought she said "Are they evil?" so I said, "Yes, yes, they’re malevolent!"
It’s fun. It’s fun to be sexually molested in the workplace, though I know it’s not politically correct.
The secret of survival
Did you ever expect to be playing Braca for so long?
God, no. When season one finished, I thought, "That was fun, off we go." And then they kept booking me for another episode, another episode, another episode. Each time I thought, "Oh well, I’ll get morphed into something, or destroyed by something, or vapour gunned." Whatever evil thing they could think up.
I have learnt one thing. Never go on a mission with Braca, because you won’t come back. But people still go on missions with him! They’re fools, I tell ya.
How would you fancy a Captain Braca spin-off?
Now you’re talking. He laughs like a loon.
It would be very exciting. There would be lots of bits I can’t talk about now, because it'd be a little bit rude. Braca’s revenge! And revenge is good.
The cancellation
How did you learn about the cancellation?
For a couple of days before it was all green light, smooth sailing, and everyone was very confident that there would be a fifth season. Then a couple of days before it was announced, it all went very quiet, up top. So I felt "something funny is going on." And that was the unfortunate fact of life.
What do you think about the fan efforts to save the show?
It's absolutely extraordinary. I mean, I knew that there was a strong fan base, but I had no idea that people felt so passionately. All our contributions to the show created something that's quite special. I had no idea.
I just used to trek out to glamorous Â鶹ԼÅÄbush, to the industrial estate, and go out to deep space there. This is the first actual convention I’ve been too, and this isn’t even a specifically Farscape convention, [here] at Gallifrey.
So it’s absolutely incredible to meet the fans who we make the show for. And to see how strongly they identified with it, and loved it. Well, that’s what we made the show for. No fans, no show.
Future plans
Have you got anything new lined-up yet?
I’m just over here in the United States having a look around. I’ve been working as an actor in Australia now for many many years, and I’m just having a look around for any possibilities over here. I have done a lot of international work in Australia, so I thought I’d spread my wings and have a look.