Treme‘s Clarke Peters Reflects On New Orleans, Remembers David Mills

Mediaite: What did you think of the way that your character was rolled out to the audience?

Peters: I think he was introduced like most of the homes after Katrina – just like that. First he was arriving home. And that set up for the viewer where we are, what we might be in for. It also presents to the viewer, where were you when Katrina hit, what were you thinking when Katrina hit? This is what one person had to deal with when they got home. Not just the visual, but it roots us into the struggle and the struggle was for the whole city of New Orleans. We move from that to everybody else. I think it’s an interesting way to open it up for the psyche of the TV viewer, to get into the story and remind them and let them know what’s to come.

Mediaite: Were the cast and crew greeted warmly by the citizens of New Orleans?

Peters: We were greeted very well. It was lovely. We’re there for the city, not to just exploit the city, but to expose the city to something in presenting that. They’ve embraced us, they’ve cooperated, they’re wishing us well. The city is really a unique culture. And they are really proud and they don’t stand for rudeness. You can’t go into New Orleans and think you’re going to be boss here for whatever reason. They will prove you up, they will set you straight, regardless of who you are or what your station is in life. New Orleans is a proud family. Those who have lived there for generations really hold on to and value the city and want to protect it.

“The city is really a unique culture. And they are really proud and they don’t stand for rudeness. You can’t go into New Orleans and think you’re going to be boss here for whatever reason. They will prove you up.”

Mediaite: Because this is the next series from David Simon, there will naturally be comparisons with The Wire. What do you think of the comparisons?

Peters: It’s just the nature of the beast, when you go from one thing to the other. The second gig is always the hardest. Hopefully what we’ve been able to do, I think, with The Wire is not dumb down the TV viewing audience. This isn’t what you’ll see from David Simon. When you’re seeing something of David’s you know it’s going to challenge your intellect, and you won’t just sit back and become a couch potato. You’ll see something that will provoke discussion, possibly debate, and see something that will make you sit down and think. It’s not something neatly packaged that looks beautiful and is soft focused. I know that people will probably try to make comparisons, but what comparison can you possibly make between The Wire and Treme? It’s like talking about crabcakes and gumbo.

Mediaite: In an early episode your character says “Everybody loves New Orleans music, New Orleans people…” implying a lack of love for the people of new Orleans. Is that some of the sentiment you’ve heard from locals?

Peters: I think we’re definitely referring to any kind of help from the government. much more than individuals. To be fair, there are, and you will see throughout the series, a large amount of people who do love New Orleans and who do come down and help restore. Sadly, that’s not in areas where Lambreaux is hiding. People come there to gawk at the destruction. The lower nine is still under vegetation. It’s sad when you go through there and see whole parts of the city where there’s just three steps that led up to a door, and now just lead up to nothing. Houses are gone, and have been overtaken by the earth. When you drive down roads it’s difficult to imagine that this was a thriving community and what looked like an empty square block probably housed nine houses and now there’s nothing there. It’s like tombstones sticking up out of the land. So when Lambreaux says ‘New Orleans people…’ stick with the series and you’ll see exactly what he’s talking about.

Mediaite: Finally, you mentioned David Mills, who died tragically on set last month. Can you describe what that was like, and how the cast and crew are coping?

Peters: I was here in Baltimore, but I spoke to him less than 24 hours earlier. I wonder what the discussions that are happening now are. I’m more concerned about David Simon. They were so close and the chemistry was just right. The things that I’ve done with David Simon and David Mills have always been great. In the second season of The Wire David lost Bob Colesberry, now he lost David Mills. I’m more concerned about David Simon’s emotional health, mental health at this time. Flew out one day, and the next day David Mills was gone. It’s just a loss. I feel a little empty. He was a good man, he was a real good man.

(This has been edited for length and clarity.)

For a preview of the series (and a chance to hear the incredibly catchy theme song), check this out: