Buckley: I'm Really Happy To Be Doing This

See Also: 'Down the Rabbit Hole' Episode Guide

AJ Buckley (Adam Ross) didn't know if he'd be sticking around.

Buckley joined CSI: New York hoping that Adam would become a recurring character. "It was strange at first because there were just these few nondescript lines and I thought, 'What am I supposed to do with them to make myself sort of stand out?'" He told FADPOV. Much of Adam's role on the show since the beginning, Buckley said, has been to add a light-hearted touch and "take the darkness or tension out of the scene." Buckley's portrayal of Adam worked, and the character became recurring. He starred in seven episodes during season two and returned to the crime lab for 13 episodes in season three.

"I really thought every episode I did until the contract came through would be the last time I was called back to the set," Buckley said, explaining what it was like when his stint on the show could end at any time. "Then they'd call me back for one more, and I would be back to square one. But really, that just makes me work harder all the time… it keeps me on my toes and I like to always be putting out my best work, so it keeps me from getting complacent."

The actor signed a five year contract with New York at the start of season four, assuring the audience--and Buckley--that Adam would be sticking around; however, that doesn't mean he'll be in the opening credits just yet. "[A]t the moment I'm not in every episode produced, so I'm at that 'guest star' level," he explained. "It's a guaranteed 13 episodes, then the following year it's 16 shows and so on. That kind of credit status doesn't worry me at all, but it's just nice to be able to flesh Adam out a little more."

"What I enjoy most is that the writers have boosted the relationship between Mac (Gary Sinise) and Adam, where Adam is sort of there to make Mac laugh a little," Buckley said. "Especially with the Second Life episode ("Down the Rabbit Hole"), which was a total trip to do. But that's what I enjoy doing the most… those episodes where Adam is the fun loving character and I can just sit there and think, 'Wow, I'm on CSI and I'm really just happy to be doing this.'"

Buckley described his ideal role as one where he could "transform myself as much as possible… shaving my head or getting dirty and bloody… I'm all for that." One type of role he said he would enjoy was the lead in an action movie. "If there was a way I could be cast as a blue collar hero, that would be excellent," he explained. "A sort of Die Hard role, an everyman hero. He's your average guy who steps up to the plate when he has to. I like the idea of that. But since I don't have a huge jawline or anything like that I'm not sure how likely that role is for me."

Buckley also mentioned using prosthetics during acting roles. "I've had heavier stuff for scenes where I've been beaten up before, but I've never been changed into a creature or anything, which I'm dying to do," he said. "As an actor you always try to find some piece of clothing or little physical change you can hang your hat up on and say, 'This is the character', whether that be shaving your head or a different accent, wardrobe or walking style. But being physically altered to such an extent where you don't even recognize your own face would be a real trip."

Whether as Adam Ross, an action hero or a creepy monster, Buckley said that acting is what he wants to do for the rest of his life. "When I'm acting I'm at peace with everything. It feels right and I just feel really fortunate that I'm getting to do what I really love, and travel and meet all these amazing people."

The original interview can be read in its entirety at FADPOV. Thanks to TalkCSI's own PerfectAnomaly for sharing this with us.

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