After a momentous second season that culminated with an awfully big kiss between Nathan and Audrey, tonight’s HAVEN season finale has a lot to live up to. But what lies ahead for the star-crossed lovers and more importantly, will HAVEN’s season ender leave fans with yet another shocking cliffhanger? We recently had the opportunity to take part in a conference call with star Lucas Bryant to find out just that. See for yourself after the jump.
How do you feel about how Audrey and Nathan’s relationship is changing?
LUCAS: Well it’s been a long time coming, and it is exciting. I think a lot of fans got what they wanted this past episode. I mean, a taste of it anyway. Maybe some were horrified, but I hope there’s not too many of those. But I’m sorry to say I don’t see it progressing as easily as one might hope and realize. I mean, there’s definitely going to be some roadblocks and speed-bumps. I can’t and won’t tell you exactly what they are, and I don’t know the half of them. But I think that puts us on a trajectory that has potential to be lovely, but will probably and inevitably be very difficult and potentially dangerous.
For a lot of the people that are troubled, it seems like once they end up with like the people they are meant to be with, their trouble becomes a bit more manageable, and in some cases even goes away. Do you think that that could be why Nathan can feel Audrey’s touch? Is that a sign that they’re meant for each other?
LUCAS: I think that’s definitely in Nathan’s mind — there’s some feeling of fate there. Like she’s the only one that he can feel and for anyone to have that effect on him, I think it puts their relationship up in high standing. But I hope — I guess it’s interesting what you’re saying, like in other cases when people are with the ones they’re meant to be with that sort of negates their troubles. And I guess that speaks to the fact that “troubles” sort of manifests when there’s a stressor and that manifests them. So I guess if people are happy or content or keep it mellow, they can sometimes sort of circumvent their afflictions. So I hope that them getting together doesn’t negate Audrey’s capability, like that their abilities or afflictions don’t cancel each other out. But that could be a good reason for them not to be together, couldn’t it?
Your work in last week’s episode, when you’re at the meeting after Audrey kissed you, was absolute perfection.
LUCAS: Oh, thank you. Yes, that was a big moment. We really were concerned about getting it right and I think it landed well. So I’m very happy about that.
How did the dynamic between Audrey and Chris Brody impact the way Nathan feels about her?
LUCAS: Oh, well I suppose, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, Nathan is never too sure of himself. And so I guess that was just an example of what can happen when you wait. So I think things that have taken place over the last couple of episodes have forced him to be a bit more forthcoming about where he stands and forced him to address how he feels about her. And I think that’s a good place for him to be because he’s a pleasure to play. He’s wrestling with asserting himself and being forthcoming, and the general effect that she’s had on him — which is to push him to man up — so it’s really fun to be a sort of long uncomfortable guy, trying to step up.
What do you think intimidates Nathan or scares him about pursuing a relationship with Audrey?
LUCAS: Well, I guess first of all, he is intimidated and/or scared by her period, because he is just that way. Not so comfortable letting it all hang out, and also because I think he has a great friendship with her and mutual trust and the last thing he wants to do is screw that up. Not that that has to inevitably be the way it works out, but I think as with any good relationship, there’s a lot of trepidation that comes with taking it any further.
What keeps challenging you about the role of Nathan?
LUCAS: Oh, wow. Well, I guess one of the most fun and challenging things to do is explore how he progresses as a man when he has so many socially awkward issues. On the one hand, he’s totally comfortable in his role and relationships in the town. People, I think, have generally a good feeling about him. And he’s a good guy, but he’s not terribly excellent at expressing himself. And so any time that Nathan’s put in a awkward situation, often with Duke or with women or with his emotions, that is a real pleasure and challenge to work through.
What would you say is your favorite and least favorite characteristic of portraying Nathan?
LUCAS: Favorite and least favorite. I like the fact that he’s like terribly reserved and somewhat uncomfortable in social interactions. But then at the same time, have the sense that he does have a great and sort of strange sense of humor, and more quirky and weird personality than we get to see all the time. Like his terrible dancing ability which that was totally ridiculous to shoot and even more awkward to watch. But that was a lot of fun. That might also be my least favorite of Nathan’s characteristics is his terrible dancing. . . . I guess I just want him to pull the trigger. Not literally, but it’s like, ‘Man do something! Tell her. Do it, kiss her, step forward.’ You know, push him, whatever. I mean he’s still sort of fighting in self-imposed handcuffs.
If you could give Nathan one piece of advice, what would it be?
LUCAS: Stop worrying so much and just go for it, man. And I guess that’s what happened a little bit at the end of Episode 11, right? When he has that realization and he’s at the meeting, and he says to Vincent and Dwight that, ‘Sometimes taking risks pays off.’ So hopefully he learns that lesson, and that’s not just a moment of fleeting feeling for him. Because I think if we get to see him taking a lot more risks, that would be first of all dramatically exciting and then a lot of fun for me to play. But also great for him as a character.
For you as an actor, playing a character who theoretically can’t feel anything, is there any specific things you have to do in your performance in creating this character to convey that??
LUCAS: Well, I guess I initially in the first season when we were starting, there was a lot of experimentation, figuring out what the heck that looked like and how I was going to maintain that. And then there’s something magical that happened. When you’re playing a character like that for so long, and especially like I was saying, when we’re living in this small town so far away from home, and you’re just kind of living it, and you’re in it. And it starts to seep into your being in your regular life to. So I would go around and slam my hand on the car door after work and not even feel it, and realize that Nathan was me. I mean, it just becomes — much to my wife’s chagrin sometimes when she’s trying to have a conversations with me, and I’m giving like monotonous monosyllabic answers. She’s like, ‘You’ve got to stop doing that show!’ But, it’s always like – what was that episode where [Nathan] got his feelings back for a little while? It was hilarious to play, and so fun to have those little moments where he is reveling in what that’s like to feel after not having that feeling for so long. So I just try and find every opportunity that I can. Whether it’s just bumping into doorframes as you pass them or pressing pencils too hard into my forearm. Just to give sort of physical indications of that affliction. And then I think like I was saying, that it just happens after awhile, it’s just second nature. Like this character the emotional distance that that physical distance forces just in his interactions with people in general. That just kind of starts happening, the stand-offish and awkward physicality.
Is there a characteristic that Nathan has that has taken time adjust to it?
LUCAS: Well, I guess the overall characteristic of being reserved — someone that doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. It’s strange, because he kind of does in many nonverbal ways. So it was that: how to communicate the heart and soul of this guy that was so unwilling or unable to communicate it verbally. And that I think that just came with trust and experimentation. And then seeing it back — then after a while you’re like, ‘Yes, this guy does make sense.’ So now I think it’s a much more comfortable thing to portray. But like going into the second season when we started shooting the first episode, I remember thinking, ‘Aww man, what was this guy like to begin with? I just stand still and that’s him? I just stand still and speak in simple sentences and very quietly and I’ll be him again?’ I remember being a bit nervous about that. But as soon as I did, I was like, ‘Oh yes, there he is.’
In the episode “Lockdown,’ the scene that you filmed where Nathan was with the Dwight, and Dwight saved Nathan, and Dwight said, “Well, bullets seem to find me,” it looked like you were about to crack-up. Can you tell us a bit about filing that scene?
LUCAS: Well, first of all, I must say after watching this whole season so far, Adam Copeland (otherwise known as WWE Superstar Edge) is fantastic and I could not be any happier with the fact that he’s joined our cast. He is a really, really an awesome guy, and like a total sweetheart, very professional. I mean, I think his work has been fantastic. And people are so into his character and his performance, he’s a blast. So that said, working with him has been a total pleasure. And I thought in that scene, Nathan doesn’t have many buddies, and very few opportunities to have this sort of bonding moment with another guy. So both Adam and I were thinking and looking for ways to really make that connection. And I think I wanted to communicate in an honest sense – like how funny I think that trouble is. I mean it’s totally ridiculous. He is a bullet-magnet! I mean, it’s a bit silly and dangerous. And then in the episode where we’re chasing the Wendigos in the woods and I say to him initially, ‘Dude, you can’t come with us — like everyone’s got guns. So basically you’re going to turn all of our weapons into completely useless devices and our hands that will only kill you. Thanks.’ So, yes, I was about to crack up, and I think he played it perfectly too, with this sort of like, ‘Yeah, man, I know. Its kind of ludicrous, but this is what I’m dealing with.’ So I think if you saw me about to crack up, you’re absolutely right, because I was.
Could you talk a little bit about the like stunts that you do and the effects and that?
LUCAS: Sure. Well, this year I didn’t have too many crazy stunts. Most of them involved people flying into the water or flying walk out of the water. Kris Wood, who does our visual effects, I think is totally cool and ridiculously capable. And it’s become an act of faith to shoot this stuff in front of a green screen or to imagine something that’s not there, but we’re all getting much more comfortable with just doing it. Because I think if you think too much about it, then it becomes ridiculous. But if you let your 6-year-old mind just pretend, then I’ve been really happy with how things have been working out. And I like to do as many of my own stunts as they’ll let me. But I understand sometimes when they don’t, because I’ve seen how banged up these guys get. And I might like the experience of doing it, but I wouldn’t necessarily like the aftermath.
How would you describe Nathan’s relationship with Duke? It’s a very complicated relationship.
LUCAS: It is very complicated, and you’re going to understand a bit more about why in the season finale. And I’m really happy about that. I mean we know something about their complicated history, but there’s a really great reveal in the season finale that doesn’t explain fully their relationship, but gives a lot more insight into why it is what it is. And I have such a blast with him myself. He’s a great actor and he’s a lot of fun to play with and work with. Any time we get to buddy-up with for a moment or be at odds is a pleasure. And I think it’s something that fans have enjoyed as much as I have, so it’s a blast. Beginning to understand more why they are the way they are, which we do in the finale, is I think going to add a lot more weight to that relationship.
Is it hard for you and Eric [Balfour] a lot of times to go through scenes without laughing?
LUCAS: Actually, yes. The two of us get along quite well and screw around a lot in our real lives. So when we get to play together on screen, it’s a blast. And especially this year, I think everyone was a lot more comfortable in their roles and a lot more comfortable in the show. So there was probably to the chagrin of the producers and directors occasionally. There were a lot more laughs this year than we had in the first season, and it took us a lot more time to get things done. We’ll try to be a bit more professional next year. But, at the same time, I mean it’s a blast to have such great people that would play around with every day too.
Is there something specific that you would like to see happen for Nathan?
LUCAS: I would like to see his house. I don’t know if that’s going to happen, but I’d like to see a bit more of his home life, if he has one. What that home is. Is it just the tent that he pitched on the back of the police station? Does he have like a large sort of locker that he sleeps in at the police station? Does he live in a cabin in the woods? Does he have a trailer that’s on the coast, you know? Yes, I’d like to see a bit more of that. But story wise, well like I was saying before, if he could just step up and risk taking more risks, I think he’s got a lot of potential, power and danger and anger and good love if he could just step things up, that would be lovely. And I guess that would also include seeing his home. Because I want to know more about who the guy is when he’s just chilling.
What do you think that Nathan saw in his vision in the episode “Fear and Loathing”?
LUCAS: I don’t know actually what he saw, but I do hope that we get to know. But I don’t think that will happen for many seasons. And actually I don’t have a clue what it is. But I hope that writers, who are much smarter than I am, can bring that one out someday and it will knock all of our socks off. I don’t know what it is, but- I think it has something to do either with his childhood and/or his fate. You know, like a vision, like Duke’s, but hopefully not a tattooed guy reaching for me!
Can you talk about what it’s like to work in Nova Scotia for the last couple of years?
LUCAS: So you know, from LA it’s not an easy commute. Not that I go home to LA everyday after work. But I realize I could live in Germany and commute to Halifax more easily than I can from LA. So just specifically getting there is a haul and I think that’s something that serves the show well. We’re an hour down the South Shore from Halifax, mostly around the Chester area. And so we feel really removed from all other parts of our regular life. And I think that’s a perfect ingredient to the remoteness that is HAVEN — it is another world there. It’s a beautiful, tiny little town. I grew up in a small town in Ontario, so I sort of have a love/hate relationship with small towns. But I must say, I’ve enjoyed being in Chester because I have a three-year-old daughter now. And so she cruises around and has swimming lessons and a bunch of great little friends. And we get ice cream every day. It’s sort of Norman Rockwell. Sit and watch the boats. So that’s really fantastic. But yet just that feeling of all being apart and away together, there’s a number of people camped out there. I really feels like it’s summer camp for big kids. We’re all away from home, hanging out together, doing this weird thing. And so you really do form a key sense of community and family, and it’s just a pleasure and honor to be a part of. And then the community itself is so welcoming and great with us, it’s amazing.
Have you seen the final version of the finale yet?
LUCAS: I have not. I don’t know if they cut out the whole second half of it yet — I might not even be in the finale at all. [laughter]
Do you know if there will be another cliffhanger like last year?
LUCAS: There are some definite cliffhangers. I mean, it would be nice to say that everything is revealed and they figure out how to end the “troubles” and everyone lives happily ever after. But we want to do another 10 seasons, so you’ll get some great answers and learn some crazy stuff. And we’ll see if people think that it’s as rug-pulling as the season one finale was. But there’s definitely some huge, big precipitous at the end.
Do you know what might be in store for season three?
LUCAS: I don’t. I have completely given up trying to get my head around what the heck is going on here. There’s stuff that they want to keep from us. But then I don’t necessarily want to know the things that Nathan doesn’t know. I enjoy it discovering it as we go, as he does. So I don’t know. I mean, I hear some rumblings about potential storylines, but then I imagine those will all change as well in the writer’s room as they hash things out. So I’m as clueless as you.
Since we see a shot of Nicholas Campbell in the preview, can you talk a bit about where Nathan’s at and where he winds up at the end of the season?
LUCAS: I guess that’s been leaked hasn’t it by Syfy themselves. Yes, we get to see the Chief or some version thereof in the second season finale. And thank god, I mean I was so excited for that. I love Nick. I think he’s a fantastic actor and person and a great character. So I’m really happy that he’s back for this episode at least. And hopefully there’s potential for more. The conversation that Nathan and the Chief have in the season finale is revealing. But, how do I say this, it also doesn’t reveal everything that it could. So I believe there’s going to be large ramifications from it, which we won’t necessarily come to understand until – god willing — season three, four or five. So it’s a big moment obviously for the character, and also for the show. But saying this, I wonder if people when they watch the show will be like, ‘What the hell was Lucas talking about because I didn’t see that?’ Let me just say that there’s more to their interaction than we necessarily experience now. Boy that’s a bit vague, isn’t it? 
To find out if the promise of a rose-colored future between Nathan and Audrey lies in store and what kind of fatherly advice the Chief may have from the grave for Nathan, be sure to tune in for the sensational season finale of HAVEN on Friday, September 30th at 10PM on Syfy. Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv
Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to TheTVAddict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower).