By Jamie Ruby

This summer Leverage returns to TNT for a fifth season. The series stars Timothy Hutton as Nate Ford, the leader of a group of thieves who help those who have no where else to turn.

This season the team will be working from the new location of Portland, Oregon. Besides location, another change to the series will be with the character dynamics as this season as relationships continue to heat up.

Timothy Hutton, who many will know from roles in films such as Ordinary People, Playing God, The Last Mimsy, and The Ghost Writer, recently talked to the media about what we can expect this season as well as Nate's relationship with Sophie Devereaux (Gina Bellman).

On the series the characters are always dressing up and taking on different identities, which, according to Hutton, can be a lot of funn to play. "It definitely makes it a lot of fun to be able to play those different characters and the different cons, and even because I always felt from the beginning, when I read the script that was the pilot, that there was a real opportunity with this character to kind of be different, depending on what day of the week it was or what situation was before him, because you're somebody who's very conflicted and not particularly great around other people and, now, here, he's put together this team of former hackers, con artists, thieves. 

"And he doesn't know them.  He knows Sophie a little bit.  They certainly had a past.  But it's a very kind of dysfunctional group of people.  And it allows I think for Nate and the other characters, too – we've all talked about it, the cast has talked about it, how there's a real sort of license to be different, aspects of our own person – the character's personality, depending on the situation.  There's no requirement as they walk into a certain Parker (Beth Riesgraf) or a certain Hardison (Aldis Hodge), a certain Eliot (Christian Kane). 

"And I think that in the fifth season, you'll see a lot of really great surprises and sides of each character that you haven't seen in previous seasons."

Speaking of not knowing each other, it wasn't until very recently Sophie finally told Nate what her real name is; the audience still doesn't know. "I think that we all are going to know what the real name is at some point.  But I think that the writers enjoy having that be a continuing kind of mystery.  And I think that for Nate, he's been asked by Sophie to not to reveal what that is.

"Mark Sheppard comes back this year in a really interesting episode called "The Frame-Up Job" where Sophie has been framed for the theft of a very valuable painting.  And he has a funny comment, he looks at Sophie and he rattles off about 10 different names, 10 different aliases ending with Sophie Devereux.

"But there are a couple of names that he mentions when he said the 10 different names that Nate has never heard of.  So, Nate turns to Sophie and says, "How come I didn't know that one?  I thought I knew all of your names," you know.  So, there are some nice jokes and situations associated with Sophie's real name versus her fake name and who she really is that get revealed this season."

This season Nate and Sophie's relationship has taken off. "With Nate and Sophie, I think what you'll see this season is, instead of there being as it was in the past, a conflict between the two of them whether or not they're going to work it out as a couple, I think that what you'll see from the beginning is that they really are, they really have come together as a couple, as working partners.  And they're comfortable with one another, and their trust of one another, most importantly has come to a point where they're able to have, finally, a much healthier relationship. 

"Now, having said, it is Nate and Sophie, so I don't know how.  They're both very dysfunctional kind of complicated people, so we will see that things can't ever get too comfortable with them because of the nature of who they are."

The other big change this season is the location of their headquarters. "One of the biggest things is that the Leverage team has officially moved to Portland where we film the show.  So they've left Boston, and what it's allowed the writers to do is use all these amazing locations around Portland and just outside the city for storylines."

The group has also become closer. "And another thing is I think that the team have really come a lot closer together. And for Nate, with the way that his father died in the finale last year, I think it's kind of made him someone who isn't connected to his past and, instead, more interested in his future and his present way of going about life.  And it's changed him I think quite a bit."

You can catch Timothy Hutton in the new season of Leverage starting July 15th on TNT.

Turner TNT Conference Call
Leverage
Timothy Hutton
June 28, 2012

QUESTION: First of all, I want to know what to expect this season, what's different and what you love about Nate.

TIMOTY HUTTON: One of the biggest things is that the Leverage team has officially moved to Portland where we film the show. So they've left Boston, and what it's allowed the writers to do is use all these amazing locations around Portland and just outside the city for storylines. There are some amazing vineyards. And we're doing a show right now having to do with a winery and some bad things that are going on there, and the Leverage team infiltrating the local wine industry and trying to correct that.

So that's one big thing about season five. And another thing is, I think, that the team have really come a lot closer together. And for Nate, with the way that his father died in the finale last year, I think it's made him someone who isn't connected to his past and, instead, more interested in his future and his present way of going about life. And it's changed him I think quite a bit.

And you asked what I like about Nate. I think that he is a guy burdened by a lot of events that happened in his past which anyone would be burned by and troubled by. But the way the writers have gone about the character, the fact that he spent almost all his time helping other people and trying to correct situations that people have been ripped off or wronged in some way, I think that he's a pretty good person.

And then now going into this fifth year, you'll see a lot more of Nate figuring out what can happen to him in the future versus what has happened to him in the past.

QUESTION: Portland is a pretty green city, have you noticed that it's pretty green on the set and also what you're doing at home to be more eco aware?

TIMOTY HUTTON: Yes, it's very, very green on the set. I would say that we have one of the greenest sets, and not just because we're in Oregon, but it starts with Dean Devlin, very much concerned about this area, so the obvious things like recycling and separating what should be disposed of and how. And pulling people to work and trying to cut down on the use of trucks and various modes of transportation that are needed to produce the show, but all of that has been carefully considered.

And, yes, Portland itself is a very, very green and one of the most bike-kindly cities. I mean, there are thousands of people that commute to work every day on their bikes. I've never seen that quite to the extent that it's here in Portland.

And on a personal level, yes, I do my part and ask others. I get on people to do their part.

SCIFI VISION: You play a lot of different characters because you're always pretending to be somebody else. Does that make the role harder or does it make it just a lot of fun?

TIMOTY HUTTON: It definitely makes it a lot of fun to be able to play those different characters and the different cons, and even because I always felt from the beginning, when I read the script that was the pilot, that there was a real opportunity with this character to be different, depending on what day of the week it was or what situation was before him, because you're somebody who's very conflicted and not particularly great around other people and, now, here, he’s put together this team of former hackers, con artists, thieves.

And he doesn't know them. He knows Sophie a little bit. They certainly had a past. But it's a very dysfunctional group of people. And it allows I think for Nate and the other characters, too – we've all talked about it, the cast has talked about it, how there's a real license to be different, aspects of the character's personality, depending on the situation. There's no requirement as they walk into a certain Parker or a certain Hardison, a certain Eliot.

And I think that in the fifth season you'll see a lot of really great surprises and sides of each character that you haven't seen in previous seasons.

QUESTION: We spoke the first season, and I remember you telling me, “I hope Leverage does good and we’ll at least get a couple of seasons out of it.” Well, congratulations, you've gotten more than that and thankfully so.

Did you ever at any time think, "Wow, I couldn't believe it would be going this great and people loving it this much?" Did it ever surprise you at any point?

TIMOTY HUTTON: Well, I have to say, once I started seeing the shows put together and reading the scripts and everything and then we did the first year and saw that the ratings were strong and all that, that people were watching it, it just started to feel good and started to make sense because we all were, we were having a great time making the shows and that translated to people having a great time watching them.

The writers kept coming up with – and still do – these really intricate plots and cons and character storylines. So as time has gone on, on the one hand, I think, wow, it's been five years, and when we're done with this season, it will have been 77 one-hour episodes, 77 different one-hour episodes of Leverage. It's pretty hard to believe, but here we are and we're still having a great time making them and I hope to do many more seasons.

QUESTION: Can you talk at all about any of the great guest stars you're going to have this season?

TIMOTY HUTTON: Yes. This season, we have some really terrific guest stars. In the premiere, we have Cary Elwes and then, right after that, in the next show, we have Treat Williams. We've got (Neil Hopkins), (Steve Valentine), (Marshall Teague), (Danielle Turchini). We've got Ronny Cox and Fred Ward in one of my favorite episodes we've ever done, which is called the "D.B. Cooper Job". And that's where the team goes back in time to try to solve the disappearance of the hijacker D.B. Cooper. And that one is a terrific show.

We have Matthew Lillard. And we have Mark Sheppard coming back.

And then we've got Adam Baldwin and (Monty Markham). So, yes, we've got some – you know, we’ve got Willa Ford – so we have some really good guest stars and some more surprises that I'm not allowed to mention.

QUESTION: Do you think we'll see any more of your character's family that we haven't heard of before?

TIMOTY HUTTON: Well, I don't think so. I mean, it's a possibility you might see his ex-wife, Kari Matchett, but she's doing her own show and it's very hard for us. We shoot at the same time. And we’ve all wanted to have her around, but it's hard because of her other show. But as far as other family members of Nate, no. We know what is the fate of his father, of course, but, no, I don't think so.

QUESTION: What can we expect to see from Nate and Sophie this season?

TIMOTY HUTTON: With Nate and Sophie, I think what you'll see this season is instead of there being, as it was in the past, a conflict between the two of them whether or not they're going to work it out as a couple, I think that what you'll see from the beginning is that they really are, they really have come together as a couple, as working partners. And they're comfortable with one another and their trust of one another, most importantly, has come to a point where they're able to have, finally, a much healthier relationship.

Now, having said, it is Nate and Sophie, so I don't know how. They're both very dysfunctional, complicated people, so, we will see that things can't ever get too comfortable with them because of the nature of who they are.

QUESTION: You've directed television episodes in the past. Is there any desire or any plans for you to go behind the camera on Leverage this season?

TIMOTY HUTTON: I don't think that's something that I would do. First of all, we've got a group of really terrific directors, starting with Dean Devlin and then Jonathan Frakes and John Rogers and Marc Roskin and a group of others. It's a very well-organized show. And I enjoy working with all of the directors. We have some new ones this year.

And playing the role of Nate can be pretty time-consuming and a lot of dialogue and whatnot. And I think it really isn't anything that I thought that I want to do. I mean, if they came to me and asked me to do one, if we ended up doing another season and there was a show where it made sense, I think it would be fun to direct one of the Leverage episodes.

But, right now, it hasn't been anything that I really wanted to do. I really enjoy just – and I have quite a full plate to play Nate.

QUESTION: I love Nate's back and forth with – his battle with, whether it's alcoholism or just drinking in general. His father was killed last season, do you see him going further into the bottle or do you think he'll think that's the bottom and then he'll start finding his way out and work his way into a recovery where he finds a balance?

TIMOTY HUTTON: Well, I think with this new season, Nate is very, very interested in recovery. And I think he's very interested in being a determined, forward-thinking person and that he's been driven by the past and not really motivated by the present or the future as much as he would have liked to have been.

So I think that as the fifth season begins, you will see that he's come back from a long trip where he was by himself. The Leverage team reassembles and it's new Nate. He is much more available to others and he's not so internal. He doesn't take to the bottle.

And having said that, of course, one of the interesting things about approaching a season that way is that it allows the possibility for a cliff to have the character fall off.

QUESTION: When the premiere ended it seemed like Nate and Hardison are in a different place in their relationship than they have ever been. So how is that going to evolve going forward this season?

TIMOTY HUTTON: I think that Nate has learned quite a bit [from] every team member and he's learned that whatever he thought of their particular skill set, it's much more rounded, well-rounded than what he previously imagined or thought or saw.

And I think that Hardison, Nate realizes that he is someone who has of all ((inaudible)) a very well-organized person who could probably take over the team and run things by himself. And he's really come a long way or perhaps Nate just didn’t see it, maybe it was there all along.

But I think that he trusts Hardison completely. He trusts all of them. I think the fifth season is – one of the themes of the fifth season is trust amongst the team members. And, of course, there's the interpersonal relationships, Hardison/Parker, Nate/Sophie, et cetera, but I think on a bigger scale, there's a newfound trust that they have for one another and realize that each one has the other's back.

And I think Nate is planning something. He's planning for the future and that's something he's never done before. Certainly not since – sorry about that, ((inaudible)), no – he's planning for the future he looks to Hardison as being the chief architect of whatever plans Nate has for the future.

QUESTION: You have a really colorful crew, but bottom line, who do you think Nate is the most nervous about maybe switching sides or just disappearing?

TIMOTY HUTTON: Ah, okay. I really think that Nate has come a long way in this area of trust that I was just talking about. Probably in the past he would have been most nervous about Parker suddenly disappearing or going wayward, back to her old thieving ways, possibly Eliot becoming a rogue mercenary or something.

But that's in the past. I don't think he views any of them as risks anymore. I think that he has a full trust of each one of them. And that's one of the things that happens – you'll see in the fifth season there are a lot of situations where the team really, really could go one way or another or one individual in the team could go one way or the other and in terms of for the team or against the team, for themselves or for the team.

And it's really great what the writers have come up with, because you really see that this group of five people have become the only real family that any of them have ever had. And their reliance on one another is very deep. Their trust in one another, very strong and it's tested quite a few times in the fifth season in really interesting ways.

But the bottom line is that it just keeps coming back that Nate feels very confident that he can trust all of them. Now, the great thing about having a character trust that completely is it allows the writers to betray that trust, so you can look forward to that being a possible theme as well.

SCIFI VISION: The show has teased for a long time that we don't know Sophie's real name and finally Nate found out everything. Is he going to let them know that he found out and are we ever going to know what it is?

TIMOTY HUTTON: I think that we all are going to know what the real name is at some point. But I think that the writers enjoy having that be a continuing mystery. And I think that for Nate, he's been asked by Sophie not to reveal what that is.

Mark Sheppard comes back this year in a really interesting episode called "The Frame-Up Job" where Sophie has been framed for the theft of a very valuable painting. And he has a funny comment, he looks at Sophie and he rattles off about 10 different names, 10 different aliases ending with Sophie Devereux.

But there are a couple of names that he mentions when he said the 10 different names that Nate has never heard of. So, Nate turns to Sophie and says, "How come I didn't know that one? I thought I knew all of your names.” So there are some nice jokes and situations associated with Sophie's real name versus her fake name and who she really is that get revealed this season.

QUESTION: Can you talk about a few of the other cons this season and also is there an overreaching arc aside from the trust, is there a big bad or some other bigger goal that the team is going to be going after?

TIMOTY HUTTON: The second part of your question, I'll go first with which is that the – another theme of the season is that Nate has kind of decided that what the Leverage team does is a pretty interesting enterprise and maybe they should expand and turn it into not just a group of five people that operate very quietly out of some unknown destination but to go global with this idea of helping other people and conning their way into situations to take down people who are abusing power or doing wrong to people, ripping them off, et cetera.

So Nate had this idea that gets brought up in season five. It might be good to think much broader involving other individuals, other enterprises, far reaching, other countries, et cetera. That might sound vague but I can't really say much more than that without giving too much away.

As far as the different cons that happen and the industry targets, corporate targets, et cetera, I can run through a little bit that we have an air freight company and the air freight industry, the Leverage team infiltrates and that's a fun one, there’s a semi-pro hockey show that Treat Williams is in and it's a great Eliot episode.

Christian Kane became an awesome hockey player just for this episode and trained and trained and trained and that's an incredible episode involving the world of semi-professional sports – hockey, specifically.

There's one having to do with intellectual property piracy and the Leverage team hears about a guy who's been – his ideas have been stolen so they go after the head of some company that's taken the idea.

And they convince that guy who they've realized has a hobby of extraterrestrial life, a hobby in finding out who's out there and first contact and all that. And the Leverage team convinces this guy that he has actually made first contact with extraterrestrial life. And that's a great one. The guy goes completely off the rails because he thinks that he's the first person and that he has the actually made radio contact.

And then there's one having to do with the world of cooking schools and the Leverage team uses very rare truffles to bait a very bad, evil chef into making some missteps so that they can expose him.

There's one having to do with the world of competitive cheerleading and a competitive cheerleading company. And in that same episode the Leverage team goes to Washington to try to change a bill that's on the floor involving cheerleading designation, whether it’s designated a sport in high schools or an activity, and what the difference is. It's a really interesting episode that explores that world and why it's different if it's called a sport versus an activity has to do with insurance coverage and has to do with state funding for schools.

Then there's another one which is a really interesting one. The Leverage team goes back in time to the early '70s to try to solve the disappearance of the highjacker D.B. Cooper and that one’s called "The D.B Cooper Job," strangely enough.

And then there's one that took place in the ancient car, the exotic vintage car world. There's one in the U.S. engineering, manufacturing clean energy, ((inaudible)) reality manipulation. And so, anyway, those are just a few of the situations that we have going on this year.