If Nicholas Gonzalez looks familiar it’s for very good reason. In what many are calling the golden age of television, Gonzalez is appearing on some of the best television out today. From turns in Netflix Narcos, BET’s Being Mary Jane, and ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder to his most recent series The Good Doctor, which debuts on September 25th on ABC.
‘LLERO had an opportunity to chat with Nicholas and after speaking with him you know exactly why he’s lighting up prime time. Whip smart, giving, gracious and infectiously passionate about his craft and family Nicholas shared what appealed to him about The Good Doctor, how he hit his stride and what lies on the horizon.
‘LL: First, thanks for taking the time to chat with us, and congratulations on the show. The Good Doctor is based on a South Korean television series. Will this incarnation be faithful to that version or a show all its own?
Nicholas Gonzalez: It’s really something all its own. The original show which was an amazing show with an incredible following, possibly one of the bigger Korean dramas out there. It was a really great premise that Sebastian Lee and Daniel Day Kim saw the potential in and brought to David Shore. The set-up is the same, but after that we deviate from the original.
‘LL: What was it about the show that appealed to you? You play Dr. Neil Melendez, head of surgery on the show. Can you tell us about the character? What can we expect from him?
Nicholas Gonzalez: For one, across the board, if you ask any of the actors what appealed to them with the project, it was the writing. Hands down, when you’re doing a David Shore script it really stands in high regard. I’ve seen every pilot script there is. I’ve been doing this for how many years [laughs] and a script like this really stands out. And that’s saying a lot when it comes to network shows, because network shows used to be the powerhouse, used to be the titans of this industry and now there are streaming platforms and so many other places so a lot of network shows rather than continue to throw out the same thing, need to turn it on its ear a bit, and that’s what David’s done with this project. So for me, not only was I attracted to work with the crew and creative individuals that have been achieving on a very high level but the script.
Dr. Neil Melendez is a very exacting surgeon, who is a tough boss with the team at the hospital. He’s not a mean guy, he just has to be sure his team is ready. See them in action. It’s very high risk, lives are at stake and Neil has to constantly impress that upon the team. He doesn’t suffer fools lightly and has to know he can trust them implicitly and that’s the conflict when Dr. Shaun Murphy enters, because he is unpredictable. [Melendez] job is to reduce the unpredictable in the operating room.
Dr. Shaun Murphy represents an unpredictable factor in there until [Melendez] can see how he works. I’m going to be there to help him with things that he can’t solve, but he has the power to help me with things I can’t figure out. It will be a learning process for both, the teacher will become the student and [vice-versa] the roles will flip-flop a lot.
‘LL: Harkening back to prior medical dramas it sounds like Dr. Melendez is a bit like Peter Benton from the E.R. days. Was that an influence in developing the character?
Nicholas Gonzalez: It’s hard not to look at that. I remember watching that show when it first came out so you’d be wrong to say I didn’t think about any of that, I didn’t go back to study that per se, but that character is iconic in television as well as some of the characters I grew up watching on St. Elsewhere. My brother is a surgeon, he’s a graduate of Stanford University and Columbia Med School and did his residency at Harvard at Mass General, he’ s now a general surgeon practicing in San Antonio, Texas, his name is John Joseph Gonzalez, or I call J.J., he was more the inspiration for me. He’s very much like this character, so I often times find myself channeling his character, I know the way he talks to patients, people around him. He very much embodies a lot of that. I consult with him all the time on research, he even came when we were filming the pilot and was an unofficial technical advisor. We had him right there, we’d cut, ask him – Is that right J.J.? If he’d say yes, then ok, moving on. I talk to him on the way to work and discuss my surgery for the day which he gets a kick out of [laughs].
‘LL: There are not a lot of roles for Latinos on television that are of the stature of a Dr. Neil Melendez. Was that appealing about the role?
Nicholas Gonzalez: It’s always a great feeling to have a well thought out three-dimensional character. It’s what any actor looks for. The fact that it’s an aberration is a sad fact of our business, but I always try to find roles that not just show Latinos in a great light, but something I can give an understanding of or well-rounded view of rather than just a stereotype. That being said, this is the golden ticket of them all.
More on Nicholas’ future in television and how he hit his stride after the jump…
‘LL: You mentioned you’ve been in the business for over twenty years, we remember you from the Resurrection Blvd. days.
Nicholas Gonzalez: [Laughs] Oh yeah, we had a blast doing that one. We didn’t have anything else back then. That was the first prime time series for Latinos. My most successful show so far. All my other shows have been just one season, so hoping for a repeat with The Good Doctor.
‘LL: Speaking of other shows, you’re also on Being Mary Jane. When we last left your character Orlando, the expectation was to deliver a wedding ring, but that didn’t happen. Will we be seeing more of Orlando?
Nicholas Gonzalez: I’ve had a great experience there. I got involved because Lisa Vidal called and was like “Hey we have this part coming up and you’re perfect for it. Would you do this?” I was like…yes, but the show is good. It’s a really well-done show, the manner in which they talk about professional women. They deal with topics straight out of the headlines. So, I am honored to be a part of the show. I’m invited back, it’s just a matter of scheduling. But they do film at a different time so it could work. Willing to do it. Same goes with How to Get Away with Murder.
‘LL: You’re on so much of this quality television, it’s as if you’ve become woven into the cultural lexicon. What’s the secret to your success brother? What’s your method? Or is it grinding out auditions, taking all the calls?
Nicholas Gonzalez: Getting married and living your life. Seriously, I think it wasn’t until I really decided to live my life fuller. As an actor, you’re always waiting for that next job, waiting for that next level, waiting for the money, waiting to get somewhere and you forget to live your life. I can’t go on this trip, because I’m waiting for this. Or I can’t do this, because this audition might come up. Or you literally are working and just can’t get away. Once I decided to work on having a rich life. I think my career followed suit. It’s become a lot more of something I enjoy I’ve become more particular with roles and doing things I enjoy doing. I look at my life and my chosen profession that way. I took it back to the basics. I go in excited to see what’s going to happen. I’m surrounded by great actors and were going to tell a great story. I think the biggest thing is make your life rich and your career will follow suit. You can’t wait for it. Work doesn’t come to you while you’re waiting. It comes while your living your life. Mid-dance, mid-step.
‘LL: Is there any actor or actress that you would like to work with? On your dream list.
Nicholas Gonzalez: My current dream list is my wife [laughs]. Seriously, were actually going to be working on a project she wrote tentatively called Lily Pond that we’re going to be shooting in a week. She’s a brilliant actress, very intelligent writer and producer, mother, business owner. We could do a whole interview on her. We’ve been wanting to do something together for a long time. But, I’m living my dream know I get to work with Hill Harper, Richard Schiff, Antonia Thomas, Freddy Highmore, who is one of the most giving actors. Right now, I feel like I’m living it. I love Jimmy. I am a big fan of Jimmy Smits. I’d love to work with him.
‘LL: Everyone has a story to tell and everyone has stories they would like to see told. What are some of the stories you’d like to have told or tell yourself?
Nicholas Gonzalez: You know that’s the best question I’ve been asked that I still don’t have an answer for. I feel like I’m learning what the stories are. What feeds your voice at any given time. I would love to still be a part of projects that would help open up people’s worldview. But I’m still looking for my inspirational piece.
No worries, Nicholas. Something tells us, when you do. It’s going to be a story worth waiting for.
You can catch Nicholas on The Good Doctor, which premieres September 25th and airs every Monday at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central on ABC.
