But Marcus story is very dramatic.
How have you been processing the genres and themes of the show yourself these last three seasons?
Hes not dramatic, but hes just more quiet.
Lionel Boyce as Marcus Brooks on The BearHULU/FX
And I think for him, its always just about the story and how everything connects to him.
Its just this journey of discovery and falling in love with his work.
He doesnt necessarily need to throw jokes in there as much.
Will Poulter and Lionel Boyce inThe Bear.HULU/FX
It makes sense for him to just keep exploring and getting better with his craft.
We have Richie throwing things around, the Faks and maybe one line to riff at the end.
Its not lacking in any way.
I wouldnt call him passive, but he has this gentle quality.
How have you grown to see Marcus?
BOYCE:I dont think of him as gentle or passive.
I honestly just think about him as a person who just minds his business.
If you speak to him, he responds.
When Carmys yelling out, Where are these things?
Its not about a fight; its about him.
Its just simply, Yeah, I dont need to engage when I dont need to.
DEADLINE: What kind of real-life inspirations and influences go into making Marcus who he is?
DEADLINE: The episode youre nominated for is Season 2s Honeydew, which garnered a lot of attention.
You and Will Poulter have such great chemistry in that episode.
How did you go about building that relationship?
BOYCE:The cool thing is that everyone genuinely has respect and loves one another.
Im thinking about Will, which I didnt know what to expect chemistry-wise.
And then I remember we met and hung out before.
And then, when we did the scene, it was a little different because they are also characters.
This adds a different partnership and working relationship trajectory because the intentions are different within a scene.
How do you think Marcus is getting along with his grief in the bridge between the two seasons?
BOYCE:I think its two different sides of the coin.
I think Season 2 is finding inspiration.
Hes finding all these things and getting into them passionately.
Im still working at a restaurant.
Hes just going through that while his moms situation is getting worse.
So that time is now returned to him after she passes.
So, hes processing the grief through the time that has been returned to him.
I think thats what hes wrestling with in Season 3, his grief turning into inspiration.
How do you get through this tunnel and find a new balance?
DEADLINE: How do you work with Christopher Storer to help create Marcus character?
BOYCE:The cool thing about Chris is that hes very collaborative.
Its always an open conversation.
Its not just like, This is what Im thinking, this is all Im thinking.
Hes very open and collaborative, and he trusts us to play our characters.
So, Im not throwing a lot of things in.
Here and there, I may have a thought or idea.
There was maybe one thing within the Honeydew episode that was a small idea that I had.
It came from one place I was staging between the seasons.
And then, on the third try, hes like, Oh, that ones not bad.
Its actually better than mine.
And then he threw that in.
Hes always game to add; even if he isnt, he always gives a reason.
Dont second guess yourself.
And Im wondering for you, when did you start to take yourself seriously as an actor?
Was there ever another path for you?
BOYCE:Im not sure.
Acting was a thing that I shied away from.
All of this writing, acting and stuff came to me in such an unorthodox way.
It wasnt a passion since birth; it was something I found at 19.
Im not classically trained or studied for this.
Maybe I started taking it seriously much longer than I admitted.
I think it was somewhere along the way of this very small part on this show calledHap and Leonard.
It was the first time I was doing things outside of friends.
I had to audition and just got this part from auditioning.
And, I was just like, Well, OK, Ive done it.
Ive booked work as an actor, so I can say that I act now, technically.
Have you asked Christopher Storer to put him on there yet?
BOYCE:I havent asked [laughs].
I think what would serve him best is being a customer that comes into the restaurant.
That way, he has the freedom to be as weird as he wants.
He would love that.
In Season 3, they rebuild their good friendship.
But where do you fall in the fandom wars?
Should Sydney and Marcus give it another go?
BOYCE:I stay out of all that [laughs].
Im just like, You guys think whatever you want to think.
I got parts in it.
But I am not jumping into that discourse [laughs].
Thats where I stand.
