Sebastian Roché, renowned for his portrayal of complex and often villainous characters, recently opened up about the emotionally charged role he plays in 1923. Known for his roles in The Vampire Diaries and General Hospital, Roché’s role as Father Renaud in 1923 required a deeply sensitive approach, particularly when preparing for a brutal scene that would require him to kill a Native American character, Baapuxti, played by Aminah Nieves. The scene, which takes place at a North Dakota boarding school for Native Americans, was one that Roché knew required immense care, given the historical weight and cultural significance behind it.
Preparing for a Challenging Scene: Asking for Forgiveness
Before filming the harrowing scene, Roché took a unique and emotional step to ensure the sensitivity of the subject matter was respected. He gathered a room full of Indigenous and Native American young women who were present on set and wanted to address the scene directly with them. “Before the scene, I wanted to clear the air and talk about what we were about to do because we’re recreating history that truly happened,” Roché recalled.
He felt it was essential to acknowledge the gravity of the scene and the real-world trauma it connected to. “I wanted to clear the air by kind of asking forgiveness before we did the scene,” he said. This moment of vulnerability allowed Roché to express his understanding of the pain that the scene could evoke and to show respect for the history being portrayed.
Roché admitted that the scene itself was emotionally taxing, revealing that the act of asking for forgiveness helped ease the tension both for those present and for himself. “That really helped not only everyone else to ease the tension, but myself, because I suddenly felt unbelievably emotional in those scenes,” he shared. The intensity of the scene and the historical significance left him physically exhausted by the end of filming.
The Complexity of Father Renaud
In 1923, Roché portrays Father Renaud, the headmaster of the boarding school where Baapuxti and her cousin, Teonna Rainwater, are students. As part of the storyline, Teonna takes violent action against two abusive nuns and then flees. After discovering the bodies, Father Renaud interrogates Baapuxti, and when she refuses to reveal Teonna’s whereabouts, he kills her in an act of cruelty that reflects the dark, oppressive nature of the institution.
The character of Father Renaud is deeply complex, and his evolution continues in Season 2 of 1923. In the aftermath of Baapuxti’s death, Father Renaud finds himself wrestling with his own actions, especially when paired with a ruthless U.S. Marshal who mirrors his own brutality. As the story progresses, Roché teases that viewers will see a significant shift in Father Renaud’s mindset. “He sees an alter ego, a sort of carbon copy of himself, which makes him start to question certain things about himself,” Roché explained. This internal conflict will add layers to the character, creating a more nuanced portrayal of villainy and self-reflection.
Understanding the Villain
Despite playing such a morally dark character, Roché never views his roles as purely evil. Instead, he takes a psychological approach to understanding their motivations, which makes playing these complex roles more rewarding for him. “I always read the script many times. The script will tell you its secrets,” Roché explained, sharing a piece of advice he received from actor Anthony Hopkins. “I could find Father Renaud terrifying, but where does that ruthlessness come from?”
Roché’s psychological exploration of Father Renaud has been crucial to his performance, providing depth to a character that could easily have been one-dimensional. “He necessitates so much energy and focus, and it’s quite an exhausting character to play in the best possible way because he’s so rich,” Roché reflected. This commitment to understanding the complexities of his character is what makes his portrayal of Father Renaud both powerful and unsettling.
Anticipating Father Renaud’s Evolution
Looking ahead to 1923 Season 2, Roché is eager for fans to witness the next chapter in Father Renaud’s journey. “You’re going to see many different aspects of Father Renaud, which I found really, really exciting and interesting,” he said. As the series delves deeper into the psychological and emotional struggles of its characters, Roché’s portrayal of Father Renaud will continue to evolve, offering a more layered and intricate exploration of his inner turmoil.
Season 2 of 1923 premieres on Sunday, February 23, 2025, on Paramount+. As the show delves further into the lives of its characters, audiences can expect even more emotional depth, shocking twists, and the continued unraveling of complex personalities like Father Renaud’s. With Roché’s thoughtful and sensitive approach to the role, 1923 promises to be a season filled with powerful moments of reflection and growth, both for the characters and for the viewers.
