Archived Q&A with Dev Patel

• Q

  

  HBO

  Thanks to Dev Patel for joining us for today’s Q&A. Welcome Dev! Are you similar to Neal in real life? 

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Absolutely not, I'm the complete opposite. I'm awful with technology and YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, etc. All feel alien to me. And I can barely work my smart phone.

• Q

  

  beckyayay

  How does your film experience translate to television?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I found right now TV to be a lot more demanding. With The Newsroom it's been a real memorization game with the dialogue we have to speak every episode. The great thing about it is that you develop a great kind of family feeling with the cast and it's a really beautiful thing.

• Q

  

  faith_aki

  Favorite scene from the show so far?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  It's probably the opening sequence from Episode 1. The big Q&A session from the University that's 15-20 minutes long. Jeff carried the scene so well and so beautifully. At that moment, I knew we had something great on our hands.

• Q

  

  Kyle Udrea

  How do you think you have evolved as an actor, from your start on Skins, through your breakout role in Slumdog Millionaire, to now on Newsroom?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  More than anything I'm just trying to be versatile. With each role I play I want to try to mix it up as much as possible. Through Skins, playing someone who was mad about drugs and all that to Neal, playing a young man who's ferociously driven. As I'm growing as an actor, I'm doing more meatier things as well. Also I think at the start of my career, I don't think I'd be confident or capable enough to take on an Aaron Sorkin character where as now I feel I am.

• Q

  

  Chris Gazdowicz

  You play the role of Neal so well. How much creative latitude does Aaron Sorkin give you? How much of yourself is in Neal?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  That's really sweet! The great thing is that I didn't have to audition to the character of Neal. He wasn't that big of character when I signed on. I've kind of been discovering him as Aaron writes him and he's kind of molded him from me. He comes from a very organic place of journalism, not really trained and the youngest out of the lot. It's been a real joy because Aaron enjoys characters so well and he understands people. He's really tailored the role to me in a way which is phenomenal.

• Q

  

  faith_aki

  What's the best characteristic of Neal that you love?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I think he's a character that's not afraid to punch above his weight. You see that in the BP episode where he steps up to the plate and tells everyone that this is going to be the biggest environmental disaster in history. He's only a blogger who's sharing this and that really gets the attention of MacKenzie, Charlie and Will. He wants to be a producer and move up the ladder and excel. I admire how he's unafraid.

• Q

  

  eoghanmiggan

  Where do they get all your incredible cardigans that you wear on the newsroom?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I'm glad someone noticed that! Hope Annison the costume designer is phenomenal. She pairs the kind of characteristics with us with a kind of clothing. Neal is a young, carefree, scruffy guy like myself. Neal has an amazing array of cardigans. They look amazing on camera, but we shoot the show in LA so sometimes I melt!

• Q

  

  kbizaro

  Is Bigfoot Real?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  When they wrote that for me I was like "Wow where are they going with this guy!" I should have planned an answer for that. It was an education reading the script and learning all these facts about bigfoot. It's definitely one of Neal's quarks and he believes he can back it up scientifically and statistically. I've got an overactive imagination and at the same time I'm skeptical so I don't know.

• Q

  

  ValentinaMonte

  does the relationship that the News Night staff has reflect the cast of The Newsroom's own dynamic?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I think everyone gets on like a house on fire! Most of the cast has worked together and I've really been accepted by the group. We're just like a big family now and everyone has their own specific personality traits. We all hang out on set, outside our trailers cracking jokes and it makes the time fly by on set.

• Q

  

  YoriEric

  how quickly do you have to learn your lines from one episode?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  For me it takes me ages to absorb lines. As soon as I get the script I know there's going to be 4 re-writes for each of them. I sneak my script under my files and I read the script. It looks like I'm doing work but I'm frantically trying to learn my lines!

• Q

  

  MrsPeacock30

  What type of preparation do you do for each episode?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  There is no preparation except for learn the lines and don't forget them. We don't have a lot of prep time so we have to know the character and how to react. It comes as second nature, we all immerse ourselves in these characters. When you get a new script, you can actually hear everyone's voices and know how they play their part. It's one of the beautiful things about working on television.

• Q

  

  Destined627

  Love your work and personality! What is next for you besides the The Newsroom?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I have a few things that I'm not allowed to talk about. I'm sorry to be a bore but they're very exciting things. One or two movies along with a second installment of The Newsroom. Thank you for the compliment anyway!

• Q

  

  thrillcats

  Have you been recognized on the street as "Neal"?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Yes! It's actually refreshing because every either recognizes me from Slumdog, Skins and Marigold! It's really refreshing to go out when people shout out "Hey Neal!" and mention the whole bigfoot thing. It's a wonderful, positive feeling.

• Q

  

  Kim Warner

  Would you like to see Neal have a romance?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  He kind of does have a romance. When I read the script...this is the great thing about Aaron Sorkin. I get asked "are you playing a stereotype," but I don't think it's a stereotype because every character is incredibly intelligent. It turns out Neal has this really hot girlfriend Callie who is an uber nerd who plays guitar hero and stuff! This is a great example of how Aaron is really cool and thinks out of the box.

• Q

  

  HustleDunn

  What bands are you currently listening to?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I'm kind of boring, I listen to a lot of Florence and the Machine, Bon Iver and I'm a really big fan of Ben Howard. His song "Go The Distance" that's great! I really recommend it.

• Q

  

  IbnHawqal

  Hi Dev, This is sort of a silly question, but as an actor do you like the way your voice sounds when you hear it later?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I f**king hate it! You sound a certain way in your head and even the way you look it's awful seeing yourself on the big screen! I have a constant fear that i sound like a baby next to everyone else because I'm 22! I always have that fear I'm so young that no one is going to ever believe I work in a newsroom.

• Q

  

  thrillcats

  If you could compete in the Olympic, which sport would you play?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  The problem is I'm a lanky, skinny fella. I used to train in Tae Kwon Do for 8 years in my life so maybe that would be the most logical pick. I would love to do something gymnastically, perhaps with those rings. That would be amazing...but in another live maybe.

• Q

  

  StephLevin713

  How is it being in The Newsroom as compared to being in Skins? Such different shows but both are seriously brilliant.

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  That's really sweet! The difference is humongous. The funny thing is the creator of Skins says the essence of the show is young kids grabbing life by the balls. Skins is very coming of age show that deals with really poignant issues. Skins is really relevant and The Newsroom is relevant as well. It was really amazing to see reactions from the younger audiences with both shows. The shows are totally different though. Different styles of speaking, different concepts. Again, it's me just trying to mix it up.

• Q

  

  LeonDePounce

  Will we be seeing more of Natalie Morales as Kaylee? Y'all were great in the 5/1 Episode!

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  That's sweet! Yeah I hope so. It's not really down to me but it's down to the writers and Aaron. She's a fantastic actress...so versatile and giving and a total joy to work with her. Neal is definitely punching above his weight with her!

• Q

  

  SadeAllix

  Which actors or personalities do you look up to ?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I really look up to Christian Bale. I think he's a phenomenal actor who really immersed himself in all his roles. Javier Bardem, I think he played one of the greatest villains of all time in No Country for Old Men. Growing up, I looked up to Jim Carry, Will Smith and Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee is one of the first Asian guys in Hollywood and watching him is an amazing experience. Jim Carrey was amazing in Dumb and Dumber! Will Smith is a great role model to his fans and that goes a long way.

• Q

  

  jonpage88

  What other TV shows do you currently watch?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  To be honest I don't watch too much television. I don't really have the time...I catch a short movie here and there but haven't followed anything on television in a while.

• Q

  

  amacbride13

  Any plans to work with Danny Boyle again in the future? Please?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Absolutely, I'd love to work with him. He's one of the most eclectic passionate people I've ever met, absolutely fearless. He gave me my biggest break and allowed me to play the lead in his movie. Hopefully we'll do something again down the line when the role is right. Absolutely.

• Q

  

  TwoLetterWorlds

  With the show moving so fast (timeline-wise), how do you hope Neal develops as a character and member of the crew?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  I hope you see some more conflict in Neal as we go through episodes. I hope he's more active with the team and breaks news. I just hope the audience keeps enjoying his personality!

• Q

  

  MichaelThought

  What is your biggest fear when acting as Neal?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Whether audiences think my portrayal of Neal within The Newsroom environment is authentic and believable. And more than anything, he's a well of information and knows tons of facts and a little bit of everything, so I worry about forgetting my lines.

• Q

  

  thundy08

  We see a budding 'bromance' between Neal and Jim in the show. What is your relationship like with John Gallagher Jr off set?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  John is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. I'm amazed by his talent. Not only is he a great actor but a stupidly amazing musician. We crack a lot of jokes with each other on set and he's easy to get along with.

• Q

  

  knp123

  What is it like working for Aaron Sorkin and what do like most about the show?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Aaron is an immensely intelligent visionary and fearless leader. It's an absolute honor to speak his words. Just when you think he can't get any better, I read the next episode and am blown away again. I feel it's important to create material that entertains as well as educated audiences and I like that the show does just that. People are far more intelligent than they are given credit for.

• Q

  

  Barbara Henry Foran

  Aaron Sorkin has written such intelligent, fast paced dialogue for this series...and volumes of it! How do you meet this challenge weekly?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  A lot of memorization is required. You need to know your lines in and out because it's such a rapid pace and distinct style. There is no room for error. It's a mental workout and my brain hurts after. But, It's only helped improve my skills as an actor.

• Q

  

  ReproGoddess

  If you could trade roles with any of the other actors would you? Who would it be and why?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Tough question, I've never thought of that. I'm pretty happy with Neal but would love to be a character that has an office instead of a cubicle!

• Q

  

  Emily Giannusa

  What’s your favorite Neal quote?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  “EXCUSE ME, THIS ISN’T SOUNDPROOF GLASS”.

• Q

  

  AlexJa2006

  Your career has blossomed. What has been your most difficult obstacle to overcome?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Finding challenging roles is the most difficult obstacle for me. Being a young Asian guy in Hollywood is not an easy thing and having people think differently of you is hard. I know i have the talent but getting in the room is the key.

• Q

  

  HBO

  That's all the time we have for today's Q&A. A huge thank you to Dev Patel for joining us. Anything else you'd like to add?

  Share

  A

  

  Dev Patel says:

  Thank you very much!