Eriq La Salle would like to gently remind his fans that he never actuallywentanywhere.
In addition to serving as one of two directors on the series, La Salle plays Sgt.
Lasman, a hardened vet of the police force.
Eriq La Salle (Sergeant Lasman) in ‘On Call’Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Morris
It was just right on my alley.
I love the originality of the storytelling.
I love the characterization, love the writing, La Salle tells Deadline.
Troian Bellisario (Traci Harmon) in On Call. Photo Credit/ Elizabeth Morris/Prime Video
I think this show is a hybrid.
It feels like a pseudo documentary.
It feels like cinema verite.
Its got so many different elements to it.
Is there a show that exists with all of these elements?
The key thing now is finding originality.
DEADLINE Was the discussion always to haveOn Callbased in Long Beach?
Dick Wolf has conquered New York and he has conquered Chicago.
He did one show in LA that he wasnt pleased with.
During the years that I was doing Chicago P.D., he would come out for the Christmas party.
I wanted to be home.
I was thankful for the job in Chicago, but I was like, I want to be home.
I want to sleep in my own bed.
That was years ago.
His son, Elliot, came up with the idea of Long Beach because it is unlike LA.
New York, Chicago and LA are all overshot at this point.
With Long Beach, we can explore a whole new area and the diversity of the community.
Its just offers more original storytelling.
There hasnt been a big show that has shot in Long Beach about Long Beach.
And the city really welcomed us.
They arent tired of Hollywood people.
I thought it was a brilliant idea.
And I got to sleep in my own bed.
DEADLINE Obviously, in the Wolf camp youve directed a lot of cop & legal shows.
What feels different about this compared to the others?
As I started developing a reputation as a director, I was known as sort of a Mr.
I would come into shows and help elevate them.
Sometimes I would help find shows that hadnt quite found their groove yet.
So I was very passionate about this opportunity.
There was no real formula for this.
I mean, the show is a bit of a hybrid.
it’s possible for you to sense pretty quickly how nothing good is going to come from that!
LA SALLEThat is the goal of the show, to solicit exactly that feeling.
Were trying to create point of views and camera styles that force you to come a little closer.
DEADLINE Why the decision to go with the half-hour format?
LA SALLEIts actually not original.
Its a throwback to dramas that were a half-hour like Adam 12 and Dragnet.
The one thing I will say about this show is that it feels like an hour.
This feels longer than it is for the right reasons.
DEADLINE A question about your character, Sgt.
Is he potentially problematic or is he just exhausted with how much policing has changed over the years?
LA SALLEHe is both of those.
I was talking to Tim Walsh, the showrunner, and he said something very interesting.
He said my character represents peoples rush to judgment without having all the facts.
We are at a point in society where its so easy to do that.
DEADLINE You immediately seem at odds with Bellisarios character.
Are you trying to get her fired?
My character is an old school cop.
One of the many sub-themes of this show is about the right way to police.
Is it this new way?
Is it this old way?
Is it something in between?
Some faults can be found on both sides.
Obviously, some of the old ways of policing definitely need to be examined more.
This is not a pro-cop show, nor is it an anti-cop show.
DEADLINE You were very supportive of Lori Loughlin joining the cast at Lt. Bishop.
LA SALLEI worked with Lori back in the 90s and had such a great time with her.
I think you get the best out of the actor.
As an actor, I know what that feels like.
I think she delivers in abundance.
DEADLINE It was great seeing you back in series TV.
Do you get that question a lot?
Like, why havent we seen you more?
LA SALLEYes, I do.
Obviously Im honored by it.
I dont have to have these huge leading roles.
Those are so rare and few and far between for a middle aged African-American male, in particular.
If I were just dependent on being an actor, my journey as an artist would be very different.
But I get to pick and choose.
I get to sustain myself doing another form of art that I love and Im passionate about.
The writers did not write to African-Americans having this bang out of romance.
And we were like, Hey, people of color do that, too.
They never quite got that.
Its light, its fun.
DEADLINE How did you feel about the talk of revivingER?
Did you get a little sentimental or were you like, nah Im good.
LA SALLEYes, you nailed me.
Actually, I didnt even give it that.
People also ask me about Coming to America and why didnt I do that sequel.
Im much more interested and intrigued by whats before me than whats behind me.
So I focus much more on that.
All eight episodes ofOn Calldrop January 9 on Prime Video.
