William Fichtner

Fichtner: (On Stephen King praising Prison Break and his acting) I know, that was pretty sweet, huh? I had my wife go get a couple of copies so I could send them to my mother. You know, the first thing I thought, I've been such a Stephen King fan for so long. I mean, I love The Shining the movie, but the book is – is where it's at and it's nice. It's always nice to be complimented.

Fichtner: Sometimes a director will say something that will inspire you and take you to a new place, and there is nothing I enjoy more than that.

Interviewer: They have the option to bring you back for next season. Any word on whether that's going to happen? Fichtner: They do have that option, but I haven't gotten that phone call yet. I'll tell you something - if they decide to exercise that option, so be it. It would be my pleasure to come back. I've never had that feeling with a television experience before.

TVGuide.com: Well, The Fugitive lasted five seasons. Do you think Prison Break has the legs to make it that long? Fichtner: That's interesting. You know, when you start off with a show called Prison Break, it better be about one thing. They got that done. The second season they're on the run. So the second season is like The Fugitive. What will the third season be about? I don't know. But it's not a formula show, and it doesn't have to follow any pattern, so who knows?

Interviewer: Recently Mahone has been the focus of an FBI Internal Affairs investigation, on top of trying to track down the remaining fugitives. Do you look forward to playing a guy under an intense amount of pressure, or is it pretty exhausting? Fichtner: It's not exhausting at all. It's absolutely welcome. It's what makes the journey worth it. In the beginning, when I read the first two episodes last summer after deciding to do it, it wasn't about being the FBI guy chasing the fugitives. That does very little for me. What's interesting is all the other stuff, the internal conflicts and what's happening in his life and with his family, that's what makes it work. Characters who have more than one plate spinning are the most fun to play.

TVGuide.com: All right, all right. So on the Prison Break front, your Agent Mahone is getting more and more interesting as the season goes on. What's it been like developing such a cerebral yet tortured character? Fichtner: Thank you. Thank you for using those words to describe him. That's exactly how I think about him, but people are always like, "He's such a bad guy." I'm always like, "Don't you get more than that?" Pay attention, he's more than a bad guy. He's a guy who gets pulled in so many directions. That is what has made this entire season really worth it for me.

Interviewer:Do you believe in psychics and the paranormal? Fichtner: Absolutely! For sure. To think that there's not energy and fields and wisdom and knowledge that we don't understand.... What's the old expression? We use eight to 15 percent of our brain in our lifetime? Can you imagine if we could use 30 percent? I'm pretty sure you could fly. I believe in the power of the mind. So do I think people have glimpses into the future or the past? Absolutely.

TVGuide.com: You play Guy Pearce's buddy and business partner in First Snow. William Fichtner: Yeah, I'm the buddy. Everybody's got to have a buddy. Really, that's what he is. The first time I read the script I thought, "What a great little story." It's interesting and engaging. [Director] Mark Fergus and his writing partner, Hawk Ostby, wrote such an interesting piece. So yeah, I play a buddy to this guy, but it's such an interesting journey, and the truth is that I'm such a fan of Guy [Pearce] as an actor that I thought it would be great to work with him.

William: (talking about the end of TV Show Invasion and his part on Prison Break) Things end and we move on. If it didn't end I wouldn't be doing Prison Break and Prison Break is a real highlight so I'm very happy with the situation right now.

William: (talking about his character on Prison Break) I think in the next few episode's you are going to find out what parts of the conspiracy he's a part of and what part he wants to be a part of and they are two different things.

William: (listing the five things he'd save if his closet was on fire) My grandfather's gold and onyx ring. My cowboy boots. My favorite black jeans. My blond suede jacket. My swimming cap and goggles.

William: (on doing the bathtub scene with Demi Moore in Passion Of Mind) Well, they couldn't keep the water warm enough, I'll tell you that right now. I was freezing there. Were my teeth chattering in that scene?

William: (on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society) My sister Pam is a very compassionate person and is dedicated to her job. It is through her work for the Society and her passion for helping people that led me to ask her, how can I help?