JONAS. Costars in gritty drama series.
LOS ANGELES—Taking what he calls one of his “big, bold steps” as a solo act since the Jonas Brothers split last year, Nick Jonas tackles a costarring role in a TV series that requires him not only to act, but also to be good at mixed martial arts.
On the set—a corrections facility in Whittier, California—of “Kingdom,” DirecTV’s one-hour drama series that debuts in October, Nick talked about his life and career after being part of a wildly popular pop band with his brothers, Kevin and Joe.
“This is a gritty show that puts me in a totally new light,” said Nick, wearing a tee that says “Navy St.,” the original title of the series and the name of the mixed martial arts gym in Venice, California, the show’s main setting. He plays Nate Kulina, the youngest son of the family that owns the gym, where he is the prized cage fighter.
“No one has ever seen me in anything like this,” Nick stressed. In the trailer for the series created by Byron Balasco and Endemol Studios, Nick sports a shaved head and displays his shirtless buff torso, a departure from his boy-band-member image. “So, I expect that there will be a big group that will come with me on this journey, but some will not. For me to be able to grow and become the actor and performer I want to be, I have to take those big, bold steps.”
“Kingdom” also stars Frank Grillo, Kiele Sanchez, Matt Lauria, Jonathan Tucker and Joanna Going.
Nick admitted that he had to overcome “two things—the acting and fighting. Both were big obstacles. I have to show the creative team behind the show that I am capable of playing this role, and show them my commitment to be the best I can be, both on the mat doing the fighting and acting.”
Nick added that he’s been working with an “an acting coach and other people. I really worked on the craft. I wanted to become the best actor I can be, while also finding a way to make all the different elements of what make me who I am as a performer.”
As for the physical aspects of the role, Nick acknowledged that since he has Type 1 diabetes (he was diagnosed at 13), he has to be extra careful with his diet as he bulked up.
He said that he was “really fortunate” to be training with his costars, Jonathan and Matt. “We have camaraderie. It’s really helpful in the process. And, there’s definitely friendly competition, as well.”
“I have a big fight in the first episode,” he shared. “We shot that for about 12 hours. I fought Cub Swanson, who is now one of the best fighters in the world. For him, it was just another day at the office.” For the star of the two “Camp Rock” movies, it was a huge challenge.
But, he seemed determined to shake off his Disney Channel image. “It’s important for my character to be like an animal, to have the size and demeanor that he could come in the cage and destroy, then be reserved when he’s outside the cage. My physicality is a big part of the performance.”
Nick said that, in real life, he’s more of a “peacekeeper,” especially among his siblings. “I have always been against violence,” he stressed. “If anything ever got heated between us, I would try to find a way to diffuse it.”
He clarified that Kevin and Joe “are very supportive. The great thing about the choice my brothers and I made last year—to close that chapter of our lives together—was that we said, in order for all of us to be happy, we are going to do different things. And just being understanding of that, and that protecting the family comes first, even if it means closing doors together. It’s a big step. It took a lot of guts to say that, but it was important for us. It might take time…in each of our careers and different paths, but we will always be supportive.”
He continued, “At the end of it all, we will be able to have our kids and our kids’ kids be happy as a result of the decision we made that day.”
The siblings are in good terms. “My brother Joe lives here in Los Angeles. My other brother (Kevin) lives with his wife in New Jersey, with their newborn.”
Nick didn’t discount the possibility of a Jonas Brothers reunion someday. “But, right now, I am very pleased and excited about the opportunities that I have, and some of the steps I’m taking.” He wants to emulate the careers of Mark Wahlberg and Channing Tatum.
E-mail rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com. Follow him at https://twitter.com/nepalesruben.