Drawing inspiration from his lifelong fascination with General George Patton, comedian Denis Leary imbues his latest character, U.S. Army Colonel Patrick Quinn, with a comedic twist. Leary portrays Quinn in FOX's new sitcom "Going Dutch," where the Colonel finds himself reassigned from combat command to a Netherlands base filled with eccentric personnel. His mission: whip them into shape, with the assistance of his estranged daughter (Taylor Misiak) and trusted Executive Officer, Major Abraham Shah (Danny Pudi).
Leary shared with Fox News Digital how he leveraged his extensive knowledge of Patton to inform his portrayal of the Colonel. "The character's development was influenced by Patton," Leary explained. "I envisioned playing him with Patton's characteristics in mind—the vanity, the ego, the self-importance—as a comedic reference point." He recounted telling the series creator, Joel Church-Cooper, about his approach, emphasizing his deep dive into Patton's life and career through books and documentaries.
Leary's admiration for the military, alongside his longstanding support for firefighters through the Leary Firefighters Foundation, adds another layer to his portrayal of Colonel Quinn. He sees a parallel between the two professions, noting, "They share a sacrificial approach to their work, putting their lives on the line to protect and save others. The camaraderie within their respective crews also resonates deeply." This understanding informs his acting, whether playing a firefighter in FX's "Rescue Me" or a soldier in "Going Dutch."
Filming "Going Dutch" on an active Irish army base provided a unique and sometimes surreal experience for the cast. Leary, Misiak, and Pudi described the juxtaposition of their comedic scenes with the soldiers' training exercises, highlighting the stark contrast between their fictional world and the real-life dedication of military personnel. Misiak recounted the surreal nature of getting makeup touch-ups while soldiers practiced with smoke bombs and shields nearby. Pudi emphasized the impressive scale of the military equipment and the humbling interactions with real soldiers who were fans of his previous work.
The cast also benefited from on-set consultants who guided them on military etiquette and protocol, adding authenticity to their performances. "Going Dutch" represents Leary's return to sitcoms after a five-year hiatus and follows his role in Netflix's limited series "No Good Deed." However, Leary doesn't view this as a comeback, focusing instead on honoring the scripts and enjoying the collaborative process. He praised the improvisational skills of his co-stars, creating a dynamic and enjoyable on-set atmosphere. Pudi reciprocated the praise, highlighting Leary's presence and willingness to embrace spontaneous moments. This mutual respect and collaborative spirit infused the production with a lively energy.
"Going Dutch" is set to premiere on FOX on January 2nd.
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