Chask Spencer wants people to talk. The actor, who is a member of the Fort Peck Tribe, knows his new Amazon Prime Video/BBC series, “The English,” will get people talking. The Western drama is written and directed by award-winning Hugo Blake, and is led by Spencer and Emily Blunt, who portray Ellie Webb, a former Pawnee Scout and English Lady Cornelia Locke, respectively. Gathered together in 1890 in Mid-America while searching for the new town of Hoxem, Wyo, they are only aware of their differences and not knowing that their past is woven together.
What drew you to this story and to Ellie?
I was excited and fascinated by Ellie’s character and story. What drew me to him was his past and who he was and the weight of that — the weight of someone in transition, because when we meet Ellie, he’s leaving to go home. He wants to go home. I love the quote, “Sometimes you have to see something to let go.” I think that’s where he was going. I love the stillness of the character. I love the way Hugo Blake wrote it and loved working with him to help me create and bring this character to life.
How did your chemistry with Emily Blunt shape?
We did not meet until the test. She’s a wonderful, wonderful woman and the chemistry just came out. We stopped and talked. We went for coffee several times. What I love about being an actor is that you meet some interesting people and try to find things about them. We talked a lot about work, character, and our families – things we can all relate to. It is easy to work with.
Some of these topics are timely. Why is “The English” running as a series now?
What I love is the birth of America – it’s a story within the story of America. There have been some amazing things this country has done. There were also horrific things in this country, like any other. Opens up talking about it and where we are today. There are things that haven’t changed yet. There is still a lot of things we can work on. I think the people watching this will have a good time watching the adventure. I just think people can deal with the struggles of what’s going on in the story.
Chask Spencer
Emily Oseiran
How was it filmed in Spain?
I’ve photographed a lot of strangers and I’ve been amazed by the Spanish countryside and how it’s filmed. It could happen anywhere you liked. The challenge for any Westerner is the elements. It’s not about the characters or the acting, it’s the dust flying in your face or the horse that doesn’t want to be in the scene with you when you’re trying to make a monologue. Those are the challenges.
Why do you think the Western genre has come back so far?
Look at the world now, we’re kind of a Wild West. There is a lot of uncertainty, and I think people can handle that. At the same time, you can adjust the view and get away from reality for an hour or two.
What kind of roles would you like to play?
There is a lot. English is a big role for me. As an actor, I always see myself as a journeyman, a character actor who goes from gig to gig. As an artist, I’ve lived an eccentric life, a good life where I can put all of those experiences into different characters in different roles that aren’t necessarily just Native Americans.
“The English” premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, November 11.
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