Amir Arison is an american actor, recognized for his role on NBC’s hit series The Blacklist as Aram Mojtabai, the tech expert of the team we see starring on the series. Amir’s credits algo include appearances on big shows like Girls, Homeland or Law & Order SVU, among others.
On a new exclusive interview, we’ve had the chance to speak with him about his years on the show, his character, and the past, present and future of The Blacklist.
– Hi Amir, thanks for your time. So, three seasons into the show. What can you tell us about your experience in such a big hit like The Blacklist?
So many aspects. I sometimes marvel at the stroke of timing and good fortune to be a part of something so widely watched and appreciated like The Blacklist. And I never take it for granted – each episode, each scene, I want to be able to do whatever I can to deliver my best. I’ve also participated more and more on Twitter, social media, etc. not just as an actor, but as someone who loves his job, especially THIS job. I want to be sure I’ve done everything I can to help support, promote, and advance our show.
– Your character, Aram Mojtabai, the computer/technology expert of the team, has become more and more relevant as the series has progressed. What would you highlight about his evolution during these two and a half seasons?
What a journey. It’s an interesting process, after shooting over 50 episodes now, I’ve never felt more personally vested in a character’s trajectory, truth, integrity, intelligence. I care about him so much, and when he makes a mistake or a miscalculation, I feel it, it hurts!!
Season one, when I started, I really didn’t know how long i’d be there and just thought I’d have as much fun as possible delivering the task force’s computer needs. Then in Anslo Garrick episode, everything changed. I felt like a part of the team, Aram’s character was more revealed, and it all started getting so exciting. There were tentpole episodes for me, like when Red Kidnapped Aram and also by the end of the season helping solve The Berlin case.
In the second season, the Front was the first episode where I was given an enormous amount of material in a single episode and it was thrilling. This season (three) has been by far the most exciting and challenging too. Each episode, allegiances are tested, information gets passed along and tripped up along the way and our task force has been fractured. The 308 mid season finalé was one of the hardest episodes I’ve had, and the upcoming mid season premiere on Jan 7th, episode 309 is by far and away the most challenging episode I’ve had on the series. When I signed on, I never expected to get material that intense for my character and I’m still pinching myself. We’ll see where it goes next, but it’s certainly been a ride, and you have to stay focused, one ep takes 10 days to shoot so 22 eps of the Blacklist can be a marathon. You gotta take care of yourself!
– I’m glad you brought up Anslo Garrick’s name. As a viewer i think that the events during his attack on the team’s headquarters were the first big defining moment for Aram. By your words i think that you agree with that. Is there any other moment you would describe as key for him?
Oh for sure, that was definitley Aram’s first foray front and center. I was an ancillary character prior to that and then all of a sudden everyone was captured and Aram had a gun, it was nuts and SO fun to play. I thought Aram transferring 5 million for Red to prove his innocence was also key. At that time Aram didn’t know he was proving his innocence, he was just fighting for his life, but in that moment, Aram also did his first illegal thing (understably so, but still) and it set up this often funny, fraught relationship with Reddington, never quite knowing what Red’s angle will be and also knowing that any moment Red could kidnap and kill Aram, Aram is always extra careful around Red, but at the same time he also marvels at Red’s intellect and super spy abilities. And Red seems simultaneously kind of amused by all of it. It’s a wonderful relationship dynamic that is a blast to play.
Also key, the moment Aram met Samar started a crush aspect and then at the end of «the Front» when Samar took Aram’s hand after he saved her with the poison remedy, that began a series of events in their dynamic. A new level beyond playful and flirty, they were now connected on a deeper level, and as we enter the midseason of season three, after the events of episodes 307 and 308, it’s become fraught and confusing. It’s been strange entering this new foray, and I’m just as curious as Aram to see how it will play out.
– Talking about Aram’s relationship with Mr.Reddington, would you describe his main feeling towards him as fear more then respect?
I alluded to this earlier, but it’s both Fear and Respect as well as awe. And it’s such a delight getting to do theses scenes with James (Spader). Aram wants Red to like him, not just for his own safety but because it’s like «hey, here’s this brilliant mind (Red) who notices me (Aram).» That means a lot for a guy like Aram who spends his time solving, tracking, and unpacking problems as well as analyzing criminal behavior. And Red is constantly pulling off remarkable feats. Moral or not, they are always impressive (and thus frightening when one imagines what else he’s capable of, or what angle he’s pulling). Thing is, Aram is smart enough to know that Red is the smartest person in ANY room.
– What about the rest of the team? Don’t you have the sensation that as an expert in something so relevant in these kind of shows like technology is that sometimes Aram isn’t taken as seriously as he should be by his co-workers?
Well thats part of the fun of the role, he’s a sorta constant underdog. I’d much rather play a character that is undervalued than overvalued, gives him something to prove, to fight for, and that’s very active for an actor. But at the same time, I don’t feel undervalued in the story, maybe not every character says ‘thank you’ but that’s not the show, and all the characters have their thing; however, in the storytelling itself, I’m very grateful to the writers for valuing Aram’s intelligence, values & work ethic.
What i think is funny is that Aram was sorta born when all these computer roles started popping up on different shows. There have always been tech guys on procedurals etc, but now whole series are being dedicated to technology: Mr. Robot, CSI Cyber, Scorpion, even Homeland has a huge hacker element this season, but I love how Blacklist expands Aram beyond just his computer expertise. He’s held guns, rides a bike, and is now even part of a very confusing love triangle. This is all such a surprise blessing from when I first started.
– Going back to the present, season three started with a big storyline reboot after Lizzy being framed by the Cabal. How does this new dynamic afect the team and specialy Amir as a character?
By far the strangest and most exciting season so far, everything is amped up, our whole task force of five has been reduced to three and then two and throughout this season, the five task force members at differnt times, and in different places, are forced to be played against each other. It’s often uncomfortable and tragic for the characters but it has created exciting dynamics as an actor to explore.
– Before we finish, what did you think about the winter finale? Can you tell us anything about what we’ll bee seing when the show comes back after the holidays?
This winter finale was devastating for all the characters, everyone sorta reaches new lows. The mid season premiere, is sorta like an Anslo Garrick, or Luther Braxton episode, it has that feeling… it’s like once a season, somewhere in the middle, a supersized episode comes along that shakes up everything. I can’t wait to see how it turns out, I worked my tushy off on that one!
Thanks again Amir, it’s been great to be able to chat with you.
Thank
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