The producers and stars behind the hit Showtime series Homeland visited the TCA’s (Television Critic’s Association) on Tuesday to give a little bit of information away on the upcoming season that debuts on September 29.
The biggest piece of news dropped by the minds behind the popular show is that the star and Emmy award winning lead actor Damian Lewis, who plays turncoat/scapegoat Nicholas Brody, would not be appearing in the first two episodes of season 3.
According to Homeland showrunner Alex Gansa, the storyline left hanging from last season where a bomb went off at CIA headquarters killing hundreds for which Brody was indicated as the culprit and then sent fleeing into hiding, didn’t make sense for him to return so early into the next year.
Lewis, who was on hand for the media session, said that part of the mystery for season 3 is figuring out exactly where Brody is hiding out and what role he will play in the new plot.
“He’s the most wanted criminal in the world, at this point, so he has to lay low. When you do see Brody, hopefully of interest to the audience is, ‘What state will he be in? Is he surrounded by a bevy of Russian beauties? Or is he hidden away?’ But I do hope when you see him for the first time, it will be interesting,” Lewis said on Tuesday.
The producers behind Homeland did say that Brody will play a part in the season, but not in the early episodes. His family, however, will still play a major part as they deal with the fallout from learning that Brody was secretly a terrorist plotting against his own country while also serving as a representative in Congress.
Brody’s long term health isn’t secured just because Lewis is the star though. As he pointed out during the media session, Brody has had a target on his back since day one and this is a show that’s willing to take chances even if it means killing the lead character.
“These guys have been trying to kill me since Episode 1. But you must be ruthless with the story and with characters,” Lewis said. “So I’m sure there will be more (deaths).”
The 3rd season of Homeland storyline will focus largely on the aftermath of the bombing that took place at the CIA as Saul and Carrie struggle to not only comprehend how this all happened, but also to battle against the perception that they ultimately failed in their duties.
With Estes being taken out by the bomb, Saul now sits as the head of the CIA while his protege Carrie is off her medication and distant from her mentor as the season begins.
The new season of Homeland will pick up on Sunday night, Septembetr 29.
Credit to TVLine.com for the quotes
