Getting Desperate with Beau Mirchoff

Since Desperate Housewives began in 2004, there's always been a rather ominous cloud looming over Wisteria Lane. And this season, that cloud is located directly above the Bolen residence, home to Angie (Drea de Matteo), Nick (Jeffrey Nordling), and Danny (Beau Mirchoff), the Lane's newest and most mysterious neighbors. Last week, after what seemed like an eternity of unsatisfying hints (the scar? the phone call? the name change?), we finally got some insight into their clandestine lives. In Sunday's episode, "Would I Think of Suicide?", Angie admitted she killed someone, Nick suggested they move away again, and Danny attempted suicide with pills. Upon waking up in the hospital in a drugged haze, he went public with his real name. This weekend's episode, "Boom Crunch," is the show's last before its winter hiatus, and it's gonna be a doozy. Danny Bolen is gonna have some 'splainin' to do.

We caught up with 20-year-old Beau Mirchoff (of Heartland), who plays Danny, to talk about his moody character, his TV family, and his future plans.

TV.com: What's Danny Bolen like?
Beau Mirchoff: Danny is pretty intense and a little troubled. His family has been on the run from authorities pretty much his whole life. He's never had a solid group of friends, or anytime he did, he's had to immediately go on the run. So, yeah, he's a little lost and confused, and he acts out in ways that are out of character. But everything he does, he's just trying to fill that empty void that he's been missing.

What motivates the Bolens?
Just stay alive. ... They've been running for so long [that] they're kind of used to it. They have their role call, if you will. They know what to do when something goes wrong, and they're always ready for the next situation.

What do the other Wisteria Lane families think of them?
I think anywhere they go, they're kind of the outcasts. They're never fully let into the whole community thing, being that they're always on the run. There's always a little something different and odd to their family, because they do have to look over their shoulder, and there are always little things that keep them from being totally open to their friends.

Are Angie and Nick good parents?
I think they are. I think they're as good as they could be. I don't know about the dad, for instance, but I think the mom does what she can. [Danny] and his dad don't really see eye-to-eye, and some stuff happens between us in a few episodes.

How long will the Bolens live on Wisteria Lane?
I have no idea. I personally don't think very long. We haven't been told any information. I know we won't be on for more than a season ... I hope I get to leave with a bang or ... I get shot or something interesting ... The script supervisor keeps a sheet, and it has a list of everyone who's been killed off the show. So I'm hoping to make that list.

How did the role come about for you?
It's kind of funny ... My manager called me with this audition, and the description for it was this Italian New Yorker, dark skin, intense, sexy, or something ... so I didn't even want to go on the audition. I told my manager, "Ah, I think I'll pass on this one. I don't think I'm right for the role." He said, "Nah, just go ahead," and so I did and got the call back. I guess it was a good idea!

Why do you think Desperate Housewives is so popular?
I think it's because the show deals with real human issues. Obviously, there's some stuff that goes a little extravagant, but the underlying issues [are] all real human things that can happen to anyone. We all have neighbors and we all gossip, and we all wonder what's going on with the girl next door, and this show kind of deals with all those aspects, which I think people are really interested in.

What are your favorite TV shows?
I watch a lot of Discovery Channel if I have time. I watch Deadliest Catch. I like Two and a Half Men, and I still watch Seinfeld religiously, and The Simpsons. But I don't really have a lot of time for TV lately, which kind of sucks.

What other actors would you like to work with?
I really, really like Sam Rockwell. I think that guy is friggin' amazing. There are a lot of talented actors out there who I'd love to work with. Tim Roth is one of them. I'd love to guest star on Lie to Me.

Are there any other types of characters you'd like to play?
I'm filming this little indie movie, and I get to play this meathead jock, egotistical kind of guy, which I'm really excited to do. Pick on all the dorks of the school. I'm like the tormentor of the geeks. So, I'm looking forward to that. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.

Desperate Housewives airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on ABC.