The TV Addict and Brian Austin Green in Los Angeles, August 2008
Admit it. When you first learned that Brian Austin Green was joining the cast of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES your first thought probably wasn’t, “Brilliant casting decision! Nothing says defending the earth from a futuristic robot invasion like David Silver.”
But luckily for the artist formerly known as the Notorious B.A.G, not to mention millions of TERMINATOR fans worldwide, things could not have worked out better. Heck, Josh Friedman probably could not have written a better script comeback story.
Not only did Green’s portrayal of Derek Reese earn him universal raves with Entertainment Weekly calling him, “the best thing on the screen.” It virtually guaranteed that Green won’t have to sell his soul anytime soon by signing on to a future installment of THE SURREAL LIFE, DANCING WITH THE STARS, or God help us all, CELEBRITY APPRENTICE.
That said, even with the success of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, this TV Addict wasn’t about to let Green forget where he came from. As evidence by how I started off our conversation when given the recent opportunity to sit down with him at Hollywood’s Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles.
The TV Addict: Okay, obviously I have to get this out of the way first. I grew up on 90210 and it’s kind of responsible for where I am today.
Brian Austin Green: Is it really? [laughs]
No, it’s true, and depending on who you ask, that’s either a really good think or a really bad thing.
I could say the same thing!
Do you ever tire of hearing about it?
No, it’s totally part of life. It’s the reason anybody recognizes my name. Honestly, the only time I tire of it, and I can’t even say ‘tire,’ is when I’m so excited to talk about TERMINATOR. I love doing press for this show because people love it. So it’s a little frustrating when people bring up 90210 because there’s a part of me that loses a bit of the excitement. But other than that, it’s part of my life and I hope the new show does fantastically.
Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels/FOX
Do you look back at your ten years on the show and ever regret that you stayed for the full run?
No, because I don’t think things would have turned out any differently. I think at the end of the day, the show was huge and we all faced the task of having to show people that we can play other characters. It’s what it would have been whether I was there for three years or ten. The only difference is because I was there for ten years, I made more money. Dude, by the end I was like, “Hell yeah I’ll do season ten, I’m finally making great money!”
How surprised are you as to how well your character [Derek Reese] on TERMINATOR was received?
I was worried about it, as were the fans. I’m sure when you first heard you were like, “What?! That guy from 90210.”
I definitely was surprised, but it’s not like you weren’t going to be given the benefit of the doubt. It’s been almost ten years since 90210.
But still, it’s what everybody was thinking. Sometimes it works, like with Rick Schroder on NYPD BLUE. And in other cases it doesn’t and people end up thinking, “What a stupid gimmick, what are they trying to pull?”
What can you tell me about the upcoming season that you haven’t revealed to any of the other hundreds of media outlets you’ve already talked to?
Unfortunately I can’t give anything away but I can say because I’m a fan of the show [Note: Brian Austin Green subscribes to SkyNext], that FOX and Warner Bros have totally stepped it up this season and given us more money and more freedom to do some great stuff.
The first episode was non-stop action.
It’s so badass isn’t it? We have one episode we finished that’s fifty-two minutes with almost no commercial breaks. Dodge sponsored it and it’s incredible. We’ve the ability to really do action scenes the way we want to and really blow up what we want to this season. We’re really doing what you would expect from the TERMINATOR series and it’s only going to get better.
Do you enjoy doing your own stunts?
I love it. I love the fact that I’m terrified to fire a sniper rifle with a fifty calibre round. I mean it’s the sh*t, you’re fighting Terminators. It’s a dream job.
The show’s definitely upped the action quotient this season. But what I’m really curious about is whether anything happen in the Derek Reese romance department?
We definitely mix it up, but I can’t say with who or why or what.
Understandably, Derek was incredibly cold to Cameron last season. Will that ever change?
I don’t think so.
Because he’s seen too much of the future?
The reality is that he’s fighting from stopping Cameron from ever existing. I think he’s learned to respect what she can do for them. He knows that she can be very helpful, but he’ll never trust her and I don’t think he ever should. I mean the machines have killed everybody that Derek has ever loved. So why? Why respect her? Why like her?
Because she’s really nice and she’s trying to learn! I mean how can you not love Summer Glau!
If Derek will use a seven year old girl to kill someone in an alley, why would he ever respect a machine? Why bother? Let the rest of the Connors respect her. To Derek she’s really just a cool gun. A weapon. We’ll either drive the truck or use Cameron to blow up the building. One or the other!
Will fans be seeing a lot more time travel this season?
It’s possible.
More of the future?
Fans really like the future stuff in the first season. So never say never.
More Kyle Reese?
If we’re in the future, then I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of Kyle. Jonathan Jackson is a fantastic actor and we love having him on the show. Fan’s love the Reese boys, thank God!
Have you shared any screen time with Shirley Manson this season?
Nope. But Shirley is incredible on the show. She’s an unbelievable actress and has completely blown me away. From everything you’ve seen you’d think it’s all she’s ever done. She’s amazing and it’s perfect casting for the show. Fans are going to lose their minds.
Well as someone who’s been following your career for a very long time, I can’t wait for the season to start and wish you the best of luck.
I really appreciate that and you have no idea what you’re in store for this season. 
Don’t miss the phenomenal action-packed season premiere of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES this Monday September 8 on FOX at 8PM.
Related:
FALL TV Preview 2008: TERMINATOR THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
Exclusive Interview: Garret Dillahunt
Exclusive Interview: Richard T. Jones