Benoît Brière: From Captain Hook to Critically Acclaimed TV Roles
Published December 6, 2023 – Veteran actor Benoît Brière is embracing a demanding schedule, poised to captivate audiences as Captain Hook in a new musical production while simultaneously building momentum with a series of compelling television roles, including a return to the acclaimed series Empathy.
Brière is embarking on uncharted territory with his portrayal of the iconic villain. He notes this marks his first foray into musical comedy, describing the role as “strong and demanding.” Despite not identifying as a singer, he confirms he will be performing musical numbers, admitting with a laugh, “I push the note, sometimes I push it a little too much. But I’m not expected to be a singer.”
The actor envisions a unique take on Captain hook, one that diverges from the traditional bombastic portrayal. “He’s a bad guy who doesn’t roar loudly with his stupid pirates,” Brière explains. “He still has to be worrying, he is the enemy. But his acting remains clownish. He’s a dandy, the only elegant one, a bastard with class.” His costume, designed by a team from the Marie Antoinette series, is expected to reflect this refined aesthetic.
Brière’s television career has been steadily gaining traction with roles in The Arena, where he portrays a janitor, and Ravages, in which he embodies the CEO of a law firm. Though, it was his performance as Jacques Dallaire, a patient grappling with mental health issues in Empathy, that garnered widespread critical acclaim. He will reprise this role in the upcoming season.
Brière describes reading the scripts for Empathy as a profoundly emotional experience.”When I read the episodes of Empathy I started to cry. My girlfriend came to see me, I was unable to speak. I just said: we have something.There was so much substance, I promptly thought about editing. I said to myself: they’re in trouble, because they won’t be able to cut anything!”
He credits the role’s impact to its authenticity, explaining that he approached the character by tapping into his own “empathy.” He recalls a notably poignant scene where his character, overwhelmed and medicated, simply whispers “yes…” in response to a question about his struggles.
The success of Empathy,which won the audience prize at Séries Mania in Lille,France,has been particularly gratifying. Brière recounts an anecdote from the awards ceremony where a fellow actress questioned director Guillaume Lonergan about the authenticity of his portrayal, prompting Lonergan to remark, “That gives me chills,” to which Brière adds, “Because that’s my job.”
A Packed Schedule and Lingering Doubts
Despite his burgeoning television career, Brière remains committed to the stage. Immediately following Peter Pan, he will embark on a six-month tour of the police comedy The 39 Steps, followed by a run of Broue through the following Christmas. He is also scheduled to film the second season of empathy and perhaps two films.
“So, a year of fire, Benoît Brière?” he acknowledges with a nod. However, this relentless pace is not without its anxieties. Brière admits to battling “charlatan syndrome,” a persistent fear of inadequacy. “It’s not that I’m gambling with my life, but you’re as good as your last show.” He believes that constant reinvention is essential, stating, “I can’t say to myself: this evening, I’m going to take it easy. Everything always has to be redone.” He concludes, “We are privileged to be chosen. Do you have this gig? Book!”
Peter Pan – the musical is presented from December 12 at Espace St-Denis.
