Interview with A. J. Buckley

AJ Buckley was born in Dublin and raised in Canada and the actor has appeared in numerous films and TV shows.

Tell us a bit about the new season.

We ended season five on an incredible cliffhanger. Detective Angell was killed, there was a giant shootout, and we all hit the floor. It was pretty intense for the cast because no one knew who was going to stand up from the bullets! The season opener starts off a month after the shooting and shows how the characters are dealing with the death of Angell.

Is there a new tone to the series?

Going into your sixth season, it allows the writers to go deeper within the characters. We can get into the intricacies of them and what makes them tick. The audience really feels for these characters. They’re so invested in them.

What happens with Adam and Stella this season?

Adam gets some love! I remember showing up on the set and people asked me, 'Have you seen the script yet?' I took a look and I was like, 'Oh, wow!' I think it’s a great storyline. Adam and Stella have always had a flirtatious thing back and forth. The guy needs some love! He’s in the lab all the time. Stella’s a sexy woman, so why not?

How has Adam developed over the years?

When I joined the cast, there was no description of who Adam was. [Executive Producer] Pam Veasey has always said that my character is kind of the comedy of the show. But over the years he’s started to understand who he is and show his strengths.

Have you had much input into his character?

A fair bit. That’s the wonderful thing about working with Pam Veasey and Peter Lenkov. They really take the time to listen to anything you have to say about your character.

How has CSI: NY changed your life?

It’s completely changed my life. When I booked CSI, I had $32 to my name and was living out of my car. To go from that to this, getting to travel around the world and meet different people – I’m completely grateful!

How is your relationship with your co-stars?

Great. Gary Sinise is somebody I looked up to before I even got the gig just for who he is as an actor. Carmine Giovinazzo is someone I’d worked with in the past. He really had a big part in me becoming a full-time cast member. He went in to bat for me to keep me on the show.

What has been your most challenging storyline?

One of my favourites was the episode ‘The Party’s Over’. There’s a child that commits a murder and they send me into the interrogation room to talk with the kid. It was the first real episode where I got to sink my teeth into something – to get out of the lab and not be saying science words, and to emotionally connect to the dialogue.

Were you good at science at school?

You know what, when I was in high school, I was a horrific student. I’m a poster child for ADD, and I’m terribly dyslexic. Growing up, learning for me was next to impossible. So Adam’s journey of education and my journey of education are night and day. I’m sure my science teachers back in high school that watch the show now have a good laugh.

What is the secret of CSI’s success?

They’ve got great writers and they’ve cast great actors. And it’s such an old tale; it’s Sherlock Holmes. Who did it, and how did they do it? They took that old theory, made science sexy and took this fresh look. People really respond to that.

What sets CSI: NY apart from the other CSIs?

New York is a character on the show. I don’t know many people that aren’t fascinated by it. It’s so film noir. Then you throw an actor like Gary Sinise into the mix and it speaks for itself.

Is there any rivalry between the CSI shows?

I think every CSI wants to be the top. It’s a healthy rivalry. Pam expects to be number one and be the top. You can’t get complacent in the sixth season.

What are your acting ambitions for the future?

One of my dreams is to come to London and do a play. Not even one of the big shows – I would be happy doing a small theatre in a small town. Just to immerse myself in the work would be great!