Eric Dane is gearing up for a brand new mission. 
 
The actor — maybe greatest recognized for taking part in Jacob Elordi’s sophisticated dad on “Euphoria” — steps into the function of Nathan Blythe on Amazon Prime’s “Countdown,” launching June 25. On the sequence, an act of violence in opposition to a Division of Homeland Safety officer spurs the creation of a activity power throughout legislation enforcement companies; their goal is to thwart a catastrophic plot in opposition to town of Los Angeles. Dane’s a particular agent who has to handle the assorted officers working collectively. 
 
The function capitalizes on a sure authoritative high quality within the straight-backed, iron-jawed actor, who’s performed an Military ranger in 2024’s “Unhealthy Boys: Journey or Die” and a captain within the 2010s sequence “The Final Ship.” Dane’s profession has in any other case been outlined by the roles of horny surgeon “McSteamy” (often known as Dr. Mark Sloan) on “Gray’s Anatomy” from 2006 to 2012 and as “Euphoria”’s Cal Jacobs, whose conflicted sexuality and coiled rage make the case that issues don’t go away once you graduate highschool.  
 
In April, Dane introduced that he was identified with ALS; he stays in manufacturing on “Euphoria.” Dane spoke to Selection in a Zoom interview in late Could.   

What made you say sure to this function? 

It’s at all times primarily based on the fabric, and I assumed the writing had an easy tempo to it — the present had a persona. But in addition, it’s shot in Los Angeles — logistically, it was one thing I couldn’t say no to.

You’re usually forged as authority figures. Did it take time to achieve the gravitas and authority to do roles like these?

I’m not like that in actual life. It’s not one thing I carry round with me. It’s simply one thing I play. However that function appears to come back fairly naturally to me. I attempt to play in opposition to the beats that 100 different actors would possibly take. There ought to be an try at some humor. Each chief that I’ve revered has an incredible humorousness.  

“Countdown” was shot within the hiatus between Seasons 2 and three of “Euphoria,” as manufacturing on the most recent season was frequently pushed again. Is it nerve-racking to seek out work within the time between seasons?

It’s irritating as a result of HBO has exclusivity. So it’s powerful to exit and discover one other job — a present that they count on to have some legs to it. HBO might be not going to permit that, as a result of it’ll intervene with the “Euphoria” schedule, clearly. So it was powerful being placed on ice for a bit, however I did discover another fascinating issues to do. And also you discover ways to simply wait.

“Countdown” performs like a community drama, and the present’s creator has clearly labored in community TV with the “Chicago” franchise of exhibits. Having labored for a number of years on “Gray’s Anatomy,” is that tempo acquainted to you? Do you take pleasure in it? 

It’s acquainted. I want we had one other day per episode; that’s one thing we have to talk about with Amazon. However I do take pleasure in that tempo, and I’m used to that tempo. 

Nonetheless, “Euphoria” has gotten me used to an entire completely different sort of tempo. We take 20 to 30 days to shoot an episode of “Euphoria.” And that’s an absolute luxurious. After I shot “Unhealthy Boys,” we didn’t shoot greater than three pages a day; that was a giant day if we shot three pages. And that tempo, for an artist, is much more ultimate. I realized very early what the rhythm was on an eight- to 10-day shoot to finish an episode. It comes naturally to me, however I’ve to let you know, it’s fucking exhausting typically. 

Do these 20- to 30-day “Euphoria” shoots typically get tiresome too, although? Are you continue to discovering new issues in Cal over a number of weeks? 

I attempt to make completely different selections. There’s many moments of discovery that you simply don’t essentially get once you’re capturing eight days to finish an episode — when there’s not a number of takes, so there’s not a number of moments for character-building. 

It’s in all probability on you to seek out the character moments within the script, for those who can. 

You must discover them in little moments — entrances and exits. 

Has working with Sam Levinson on “Euphoria” modified you as an actor? 

I’ve at all times had a profound respect for the craft of appearing, however I by no means thought-about myself an artist. I might by no means admit it, till I began making “Euphoria.” That’s after I gave myself the allowance to really feel like I used to be an artist. 

I used to be happy to listen to you had been returning to “Euphoria,” after Cal’s degradation by the tip phases of Season 2, as he confronts his household and is so haunted by his previous and his needs. I’m curious if there’s the likelihood for Cal to be redeemed in Season 3.

Hear, I don’t know something. I haven’t seen a script. We get pages possibly a day or two earlier than, nevertheless it’s all saved on the D.L. 

I simply have a lot belief in Sam Levinson that I don’t really want to know what’s occurring. On the day, he can simply inform me what to do and the place to go, and I’m good with it. 

Is it unusual to consider how “Gray’s Anatomy” nonetheless goes on, and that you simply had been a giant a part of the present’s earlier success?

It’s fairly humorous. I liked making that present. I liked the thrill round that present once we had been engaged on it. And the unique forged and myself, we gave it a superb basis for it to dwell so long as it has — and that’s a testomony to Ellen Pompeo and to Shonda Rhimes and her writing crew. 

Did it really feel like historical past repeating, to be part of “Euphoria” because it dominated tradition?

It’s mind-bending that I’ve been part of two of the exhibits which were very zeitgeisty — I assume that’s a phrase. I like making exhibits that you already know individuals are going to indicate as much as watch. It’s uncommon, and it’s not misplaced on me. 

Given that almost all of your castmates on “Euphoria” had been youthful actors, all of whom have skilled main profession rises because the present started, had been you apprehensive that they may not be capable to cope with it? 

I used to be simply hoping that none of them had an angle. That’s very simple to get when your Instagram following goes from 30,000 to 30 million in a single day. However I’m pleased to report that everyone’s obtained a superb head on their shoulders. They had been skilled, and nonetheless are. I like Jacob, I like Z. 

I work with Jacob so much; now we have profound conversations once we’re not capturing. He’s a wise, vivid, intuitive actor. You may apply that throughout the board with this forged. Sam had a really particular concept of what he wished, and he went out and obtained it. I’ve obtained a reasonably good radar relating to individuals which are going to show into absolute assholes. I simply knew with [Jacob] that he was going to be a straight-shooter, level-headed. He’s maintained that. 

Given your radar for it in others, do you assume you managed to keep away from turning into an asshole, as you say, regardless of success?

I’ve my moments. For essentially the most half, I’m a reasonably good man. Professionalism is essential to me. The way you conduct your self on a set, and off a set, is essential to me. I’ve my moments; all of us do. However I don’t assume I’m able to being a horrible individual. 

All we learn about the way forward for “Euphoria” is that you simply’re capturing Season 3 proper now. Do you want the present might go on past that?

I’ll experience that present till the wheels fall off. I don’t know what the destiny of the present is. I do know that it takes a heroic effort to place it collectively. If all the weather are going to be there to maintain going, I might work on it so long as they’ll have me. 

I wished to handle the way in which you introduced your ALS prognosis not too long ago. Lots of people care deeply about your well-being, and I’m curious the way it felt to share this information with them.

With actual respect, I actually don’t need to speak about it. I made the announcement. That’s what’s occurring with me; it’s very private to me. And I simply need to maintain speaking about “Countdown.” 

On that notice: What sort of work do you hope to have the ability to do going ahead?  

That’s a superb query, as a result of it dovetails into the query you requested me earlier than. I’m prepared and prepared to do absolutely anything, however I’ve limitations that I perceive will preclude me from enjoying sure roles. I’m engaged on “Euphoria.” I completed “Countdown.” So far as that goes, I’m fairly succesful. 

“Countdown” strikes me as an fascinating distinction to “Euphoria” as a result of it’s such a big-tent present — just like the sort of procedurals my household watched after I was a child. 

You want a forged of characters with some chemistry, they usually must be individuals you could establish with. After which you must have a storyline that’s going to permit individuals to need to present up the next week. These parts are all there with “Countdown.” Look, we take eight days to shoot an episode. We’re not making “Lawrence of Arabia,” nevertheless it’s actually good. 

This interview has been edited and condensed.