Latest news with #Lehane
Boston Globe
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Dennis Lehane says his goal with ‘Smoke' was to ‘look at chaos chaotically'
(Lehane also says audiences are 'way too smart now' for late episode reveals. He originally showed Dave starting a fire in the pilot, but that was too soon. Then he tried the third episode, but that was too long. 'It was like Goldilocks — the second episode was just right.') Advertisement The 59-year-old Boston native is best known for his literary crime novels like 'Mystic River,' 'Shutter Island,' and 'Gone Baby Gone,' and for depicting his hometown in all its complexities in 'The Given Day' and ' But Lehane, who broke into TV when he was recruited to write for 'The Wire,' has been returning to the screen more frequently of late, writing for 'Mr. Mercedes' and 'The Outsider' before developing ' Advertisement Still, Lehane isn't jumping into any old story, saying he turned down producer Kary Antholis four times for 'Blackbird.' When Antholis pitched a podcast about a serial arsonist that he'd hosted called 'Firebug,' Lehane wasn't that interested, in part because there'd previously been a poorly received HBO movie about the same man called 'Point of Origin.' 'But I loved the pathology of the real guy, John Orr, and the absolute insanity of being an arsonist who's also an arson investigator who's writing a book about an arson investigator chasing an arsonist with facts that only the real arsonist would know,' Lehane says. 'There was something so beautifully American about that.' (Note that Lehane speaks almost as profanely as his characters, so, for realism, you can periodically insert your own enthusiastic expletives.) Lehane kept one more detail from Orr's story: As a firefighter he'd once been trapped in a fire and he ran toward his own reflection, thinking it was another firefighter. 'I said, 'That's our opening, man.' That's the whole story, metaphorically speaking,' he recalls. 'Almost everything else I threw out. I just wanted to tell this story about emotional and psychological chaos, because that's the time we're living in right now.' The story is one of a white man with a grievance lifestyle, who loses himself to his own petty frustrations, something Lehane says he saw in friends growing up in Boston. 'I have friends who were angry about their life after being passed over for becoming a police officer and I'd think, 'Have you looked at your psych eval' and I'd want to say, 'You always ask everybody else to take ownership, so take ownership of who you are.'' Advertisement Lehane fleshed out the story with wholly fictional characters. Dave's unwelcome new partner, Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett), is a dogged police detective with scars and ghosts of her own, who follows her instincts but also her own rules. Greg Kinnear in "Smoke." Apple TV+ Dave's boss Harvey (Greg Kinnear), who can be a charmer or a bully, is pressuring them for results, but he has blind spots of his own. Esposito (John Leguizamo) is Dave's former partner who now makes 'tasteful porn for discerning customers,' Lehane says wryly. And, most significantly, Freddy (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) is the second arsonist Dave and Michelle are chasing. While Dave's fires are typically set in supermarkets (Orr was dubbed the Frito Bandito arsonist) in a way that allowed people to escape, Freddy's rage propels him to attack individuals who seem happy, aiming to harm. 'There's this weird part of me that creates sympathetic monsters,' Lehane says. 'Freddy commits acts of pure evil and needs to be in jail. But he's a tragic guy, the loneliest man on earth. Dave is running around with his white victimization narration that I can't stand, where he's the victim. But Freddy truly is the victim of our society. He was vomited out into the world and never had a chance.' Freddy is loosely inspired by a Washington D.C., arsonist who said that working in fast food as an adult is akin to slavery, Lehane says. 'I kept that and the fact that he's African-American, so he's a perfect counterpoint to Dave.' Advertisement Amid the show's life-and-death stakes and explorations of racism, misogyny, and injustice is plenty of humor, especially in the banter between Egerton's, Smollett's, and Kinnear's characters. 'We need humor right now,' Lehane says. 'How else are we supposed to deal with the madness we're living in, with politicians being arrested for speaking out. We're watching the death of the Republic, literally. So you laugh because you don't want to cry. That's the best you can do.' Lehane, who emphasizes his collaborative approach to creating, says Kinnear kept encouraging him during the writing to deepen Harvey. 'He'd say, 'I don't feel Harvey yet,'' Lehane recalls. 'When I came up with his character's daughter, that's when we found him.' He views Egerton, who also starred in 'Black Bird,' as a 'creative partner. We push each other. We're a dangerous combination.' He points to a sex scene that might evoke (nervous) laughter if it didn't quickly become so shocking. Lehane says Egerton called one weekend and said the kinky scene 'needs a bit more. I said, 'More? Dave lights somebody's belly on fire. What the…'' Inspired, they went 'so far beyond the pale that we had to dial it back,' but the final result, with Dave dancing self-indulgently above his bound partner, captures something essential about the character. 'When we were trying to pick the song, Taron said, 'Since I was a little boy, my dream was to dance to David Bowie on screen.'' The song choice, 'Heroes,' further enhances Dave's delusions. Lehane says that his team really dove into how 'whacked out this story was.' 'People rarely embrace tonally wild shows, but we just decided to go for broke,' he adds. 'We're looking at chaos chaotically.' Advertisement It all started with that sex scene, when his producing partner's research uncovered the idea of 'streaking' or setting someone (safely) on fire. 'I said, 'No way,' but that's when the show really came into its own,' Lehane says. ''Seinfeld' became 'Seinfeld' with 'The Pony Remark' episode [where Jerry mentions hating anyone who had a pony and his cousin, who proudly had one, gets angry and soon dies]. We feel like 'Smoke' really becomes 'Smoke' with the streaking scene.'
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Newly-selected Cork Rose Nancy buzzing with pride as she relishes her big looming trip to Tralee
'I wasn't really thinking about it (winning) because it was a very long night and we were probably a bit tired at that stage, and I wasn't sure whose name would be called out, but I was not expecting mine,' she said. 'I was just like 'oh my God, I can't believe it,'' she added. Ms Lehane has been busy since receiving the sash, and she said it is an 'honour to represent Cork as a whole.' 'I really want to get around as much of Cork as I can because, I remember a lot of people telling me from home that I'm the Cork Rose, not the Meelin Rose, and we are a very clannish-based group up here. 'It is an honour to represent Cork as a whole and with it being such a big county,' she said. Ms Lehane tried to sign her boyfriend up as an escort, as she thought 'I should get him to do that'. He said 'not in a million years' but Ms Lehane decided to sign herself up for the Rose selection in protest. 'I was just on the phone to him one night and he was saying that an escorting ad popped up on his phone as we were talking, and I was thinking 'I should get him to do that.' 'So, I started applying for him and I asked him all the questions subtly to fill in the form, and when it came to his references, and I had to ask, 'what is your employer's phone number?' He was like 'what are you doing?'' she laughed. 'He knew then and said 'not in a million years' so I said I would enter as the Rose if you won't enter as an escort. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more 'I think as it was getting closer (to the Cork Rose selection), I was saying 'it's too late now, you made your decision,' she laughed. The primary school teacher said there were plenty of celebrations across Meelin, known as the highest village in Ireland. 'We had plenty of celebrations. We had a guard of honour on the Monday and last weekend with the match, there was a big crowd out as well. 'We had a gathering festival in the next parish over in Rockchapel, so I was at that all weekend doing different things. 'I was a special guest for a three counties rivalry variety show, and I was part of the Cork-based clan for that,' she added. The Rose of Tralee International Festival means a lot to Ms Lehane, as the start of the festival would usually signal a trip across the Cork border into Waterford to watch the spectacle alongside some of her cousins. 'My mom is from quite a big family; I have 48 first cousins on my mother's side but the majority of them would be based in Waterford. 'So, there's a group of 10-12 girl cousins who would have always met up in Waterford to watch it (Rose of Tralee) every year together. 'We have always said to each other 'who will be the first Rose?' 'It would be cool if we had a Cork Rose and a Waterford Rose in the same year. 'Hopefully they will get inspired and go for the Waterford Rose in the future, there are enough of them,' she laughed. Looking back on the six weeks before the selection night, Ms Lehane said there was a 'friendly rapport' between the contestants. 'There was definitely a great friend rapport and everyone was there for each other. 'We were all in the same boat at the end of the day and there was no point not being friendly with each other, or having a rivalry because none of us knew who was going to win it. 'Everybody had a very impressive story on stage or an act and none of us had a clue who was going to win it,' she said. Galway Bay FM's Head of Sport and Fine Gael Councillor Ollie Turner was the host on the night and Ms Lehane said he was 'brilliant'. 'I remember chatting about this to my family - all the supporters, obviously they are there to hear everyone, but they are mostly there for their family member or friend that they are supporting. 'He (Ollie) made the night very enjoyable for the supporters, as it was a long evening, but he was also very easy to talk to, even when you got stuck, he would brush over it and no one would even notice that you were struggling with a question,' she said. The Cork Rose Centre is 'on the ball' since Ms Lehane received the sash. 'It's great to have the Cork Rose Centre, that is so well established, and they are on the ball with everything because it would be very hard to prepare for that (The Rose of Tralee) by yourself. 'They have been very, very, very helpful so far,' she added. Ms Lehane will represent the Rebel county in Tralee from August 15 to 19.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dennis Lehane Roasts ‘Draft Dodger' Trump's $45 Million Birthday Parade as ‘Height of Performative Masculinity'
Novelist and 'Black Bird' creator Dennis Lehane went off script Tuesday to call out Donald Trump's $45 million military parade Saturday commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary — and, yes, the president's June 14 birthday. He called the spectacle 'the height of performative masculinity.' Speaking to TheWrap for his new Apple TV+ project, 'Smoke,' the acclaimed author ('Gone, Baby, Gone,' 'Mystic River,' 'Shutter Island') briefly weighed in on Trump's antics, calling him a draft dodger and even comparing the president to a 'whiny little bitch' character from the new series. 'I usually steer away from politics,' Lehane said, bringing up the topic himself, 'but let's just say, on one very simple issue, to be a draft dodger who's trying to throw yourself a military birthday parade is the height of performative masculinity. I don't even know where to go with that. We've literally met the death of irony.' Trump is rolling out a military parade on Saturday to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. army — and it also happens to fall on his 79th birthday. An Army spokesperson said that the parade is expected to cost upwards of $45 million. On Tuesday, amid reports that protests against the parade are being planned online, the Trump told White House reporters, 'And if there's any protester that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force.' Lehane's comments sprang out of a discussion of the tightly wound arson investigator Dave Gudsen in 'Smoke,' played by Taron Egerton, reuniting with the creator after 'Black Bird.' Lehane explained, 'Taron and I wanted to get at that with Dave. He's so unempathetic, and yet he's such a whiny little sentimental bitch when it comes to his own needs.' In the series, which premieres with its first two episodes June 27, Dave is frustrated by being assigned a female partner (Jurnee Smollett) he never asked for to track down two serial arsonists. 'Taron and I are both fascinated by performative masculinity. It's just an interesting phenomenon that we're starting to see the worst end result of right now. We're living in it,' Lehane continued. Dave also clashes with his apathetic teenage stepson, who's made it clear David will never live up to his own father. 'That's what Dave Gudsen represents in a lot of ways. When he says to his wife, 'The kid just needs to f–king man up.' And she says, 'Oh, we're here for some truth?'' 'Some people are always like that. The people who were always like, 'Why should I feel anything for anybody?' are always the whiniest bitches,' Lehane said. 'Smoke' premieres with two episodes on June 27 and airs new episodes Fridays. Check back later for TheWrap's full interview with Lehane. The post Dennis Lehane Roasts 'Draft Dodger' Trump's $45 Million Birthday Parade as 'Height of Performative Masculinity' appeared first on TheWrap.
The Irish Sun
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Conor Lehane revelling in ‘best feeling in the world' after taking rare chance to inspire Cork to Munster hurling glory
SATURDAY'S Munster title glory meant sweet redemption for Cork's Conor Lehane. Experienced forward Lehane turns 33 next month but has bided his time with Pat Ryan's men lately. Advertisement 2 Conor Lehane has had to bide his time to make an impression for Cork Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 2 He suffered a dislocated shoulder in the league game against Limerick back in February Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile He has not started a game for the Rebels since their All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final win over Lehane then suffered a dislocated shoulder three minutes after coming off the bench in the NHL draw with And that kept him out until a late scoring cameo in the Munster SHC round-robin win over Between injuries and a lack of game time, he has fallen down the pecking order as younger forwards Shane Barrett, Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes became mainstays. Advertisement Read More on GAA But Lehane — who was omitted for the 2021 season — sucked it up and vowed to be ready to go if and when he was called upon. The Midleton ace got that chance in Saturday's epic provincial showpiece with Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds and he grasped it with both hands. Cork won a shootout 3-2 to seal their It was a fourth Munster crown for the team's one-time golden boy — and his sweetest yet after a frustrating year. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling Lehane said: 'That's the nature of the game. You wouldn't be involved unless you didn't know that going into it. 'With the talent that's there representing Cork the best way they know how, they've done themselves justice. Brendan Cummins defends time-keeping in Munster GAA hurling final between Cork and Limerick 'It's healthy competition. You just try to stay as patient as you can and avoid injury if possible. 'When the chances come, be as tuned in as you can and try to make some sort of an impact. Advertisement 'You want to make whatever the impact is, whether it be scoring, tackling or whatever the case is. 'You want to make a positive impact for everyone and you want to have some impact for yourself. 'In the overall scheme of things, this is where it matters. Just seeing the crowd and the reaction is worth everything. 'It's the best feeling in the world, especially the way it went. Advertisement 'It wasn't just like a one-sided game or anything, it went down to the wire in the best way possible. 'You'd rather not be in too many of those situations. But when it comes out the better end for you, it's the best feeling in the world.' ZEROES TO HEROES Cork have gone from the floor to an All-Ireland SHC semi-final in the space of three weeks. Advertisement And Lehane says keeping calm and carrying on was vital in their road to redemption as they booked a last-four spot on July 5. He said: 'If there is an unbelievable win that we had or a horrific loss, you have to go back to the base and just drive on again. 'I think it's about not getting too carried away. It's your job as a team and a panel to keep the head. 'You can't get carried away because it'll affect you day-to-day if you do. You just have to keep the head, know where things went wrong, highlight them and then make sure it doesn't happen again and hope it works out. Advertisement 'You'd nearly rather be out a bit sooner for the semi-final but it's the best way to be after winning a cup. We couldn't be happier.' 'You just hope that when you do get that impact that you're recognised and you might be lucky enough to start the next day." Lehane's fellow sub Shane Kingston also delivered the goods. The Douglas man lit up the Gaelic Grounds with 0-3 and also scored in the shootout. A goalscoring starter in the 2021 All-Ireland final loss to the Treaty, Kingston, 27, is another who struggles to start these days and, whether he likes it or not, is more known as an impact sub. Advertisement But Lehane hailed that impact on Saturday, saying: 'Shane was unbelievable. 'He's lethal. Sometimes the ball will go for you and other times, the donkey work someone might do that you mightn't see has a huge impact on the game.' And Kingston was quick to repay the compliment. The duo helped Cork win back-to-back Munster titles in 2018 but ending the county's seven-year wait for another one was special. Advertisement Kingston said: 'Lehane came on the last day as well and got a lovely point. He was lifting us there when he came on. 'He's been showing that in training as well. It's nice to get recognition having trained well over the last couple of weeks. 'Obviously nobody wants to grow up and not be in the starting 15. 'You just hope that when you do get that impact that you're recognised and you might be lucky enough to start the next day. Advertisement 'When you win two Munsters, that's nearly your expectation. 'But as your career goes on, I suppose you realise that these days are to be cherished and you're very fortunate to be in the position. I'm obviously delighted.'
Irish Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Redemption day for maligned Rebel duo as Cork benefit from huge bench impact
It's three years this month since Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane last started a Championship game together for Cork and, who knows, it might never happen again. The game in question was an All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Galway. Lehane was replaced at half-time having scored a point from a free; Kingston played the whole game, scoring 1-2. A few days later, Kingston's father Kieran stepped down as manager and in the 17 Championship games that Cork have played under Pat Ryan since, Lehane has started just four and Kingston one, against Limerick two years ago. Kingston has been used more often off the bench having been introduced 13 times to Lehane's six, with their impact varying and rarely decisive, though Kingston's contribution against Limerick in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last year is an exception in that regard. In Saturday's Munster final, however, they were introduced within minutes of each other, towards the end of normal time, and were huge factors in Cork's victory. Kingston shot 0-3 from play while Lehane hit 0-2 and was fouled for a free that was converted. Both then scored penalties in Cork's dramatic 3-2 shootout win. Lehane was dropped from the Cork panel for the 2021 season and while he was back the following year and has remained involved ever since, he's been on the margins and, like Kingston, often much maligned. So, the last few years have been frustrating. 'Ah yeah it has,' he admits. 'Sure look, that's the nature of the game. You wouldn't be involved unless you didn't know that going into it. 'I have no issue. With the talent that's there, representing Cork the best way they know how. They've done themselves justice numerous times. It's healthy competition. 'Just try stay as patient as you can and avoid injury if possible. When the chances come, then just be as tuned in as you can and try and make some sort of impact.' Lehane is one of a dwindling number of survivors from Cork's previous Munster title in 2018 and, on a personal level, to win another seven years later while playing a central role, having been on and off the panel, was sweet. 'Ah definitely,' said the 32-year-old. 'Sure you want to make a positive impact for everyone and you want to have some sort of impact for yourself. In the overall scheme of things, this is where it matters. Just seeing the crowd there and the reaction, it's just worth everything.' As good as Kingston was, he wasn't quite as impactful this time as in the 2021 All-Ireland semi-final win over Kilkenny, when he hit a whopping 0-7 off the bench. "I was actually wearing the same number (23) so it's becoming a bit of a thing now,' said the Douglas man. 'Any day you're not in the starting 15 is obviously disappointing. 'The management put out their best team on any given day, so you just have to stop feeling sorry for yourself and focus on getting the best out of yourself if you're fortunate to be called upon. "I suppose it's nothing I'm not used to at this stage. It's just about coming on and running relentlessly, hoping you get on that ball. 'For the first five, 10 minutes I didn't touch anything and then I got a ball in from Robbie [O'Flynn] and I just said I'd take it on because the boys were after playing 65, 70 minutes so I knew they'd be tired." And the penalties? 'If I wasn't playing well I probably would have been a bit more hesitant hitting it,' Kingston explained. 'But confidence was high at the time. As soon as I knew I was hitting one, I just focused on scoring it. I just got the pick and it went in then." 'It went down to the wire in the best way possible,' said Lehane. 'You'd rather not be in too many of those situations. But when it comes out the better end for you, it's the best feeling in the world.'
