Ronny Sianturi
The first season of Netflix’s gritty action thriller, Man on Fire, concluded with a shocking twist and a visceral confrontation that left audiences reeling. At the heart of this dramatic climax was the character of Henry Tappan, a CIA operative initially presented as an ally to the protagonist, John Creasy, only to be revealed as a mastermind behind the very tragedy Creasy was trying to avenge. Scoot McNairy, the actor embodying Tappan, recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to dissect the complexities of his character, the challenges of filming in South America, and the intricate dance of deception that defined his role.
A Calculated Betrayal: Unpacking Henry Tappan’s Role
John Creasy, portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, is a former Special Forces operative haunted by his past and grappling with severe PTSD. His solitary crusade for vengeance and protection, particularly for Poe Rayburn (Billie Boullet), the young daughter of his former colleague Paul Rayburn (Bobby Cannavale), is a defining characteristic of the series. This inherent distrust, while a survival mechanism for Creasy, proved to be a critical element in his initial interactions with Tappan. The revelation that Tappan was not merely a conduit for information but a central architect of the devastating terrorist explosion at the beginning of the season, which claimed the lives of the Rayburns and the residents of their high-rise condominium, fundamentally shifted the narrative’s trajectory.
McNairy admitted that the full scope of Tappan’s duplicity was not immediately apparent to him. "Initially, I didn’t really know where his character went toward the end," he shared. "They had said that they wanted it to be a surprise, that you don’t see this coming." This element of surprise, a hallmark of compelling storytelling, was a significant draw for McNairy, alongside his pre-existing professional relationships. He highlighted his past collaborations with executive producer and director Steven Caple Jr., whom he described as a "great storyteller" adept at both action and nuanced character development. Additionally, his previous work with executive producer Stacy Perskie on Narcos in Mexico fostered a sense of comfort and trust within the production team. The opportunity to work with Netflix again, coupled with the allure of filming in vibrant South American locales, solidified his decision to join the project.
Filming in South America: Immersive Experiences and Cultural Depth
The production of Man on Fire was largely set in South America, a choice that significantly contributed to the show’s atmospheric and authentic feel. McNairy spoke fondly of the experience, noting, "Any time you head down to Brazil or Mexico to go to work, it’s always a pleasure to be in the environment with those different communities of people. There’s just something fun about making movies down in South America." The series made a concerted effort to integrate the local culture, particularly the vibrant favela communities, into its narrative.
McNairy elaborated on this immersive approach: "That’s really what they were going after. There was a lot of talk before the show to really get that culture and the music and really thrust you into that, as well as the action and all those things." He specifically mentioned actress Alice Braga, who portrays Valeria Melo, as being instrumental in bringing this authenticity to the screen. "When we were down in Brazil, Alice Braga… that’s her world, you know? There were so many interesting things that we did outside of work to see that culture, but the filmmakers did an incredible job at capturing it on the screen, as well." This dedication to cultural representation aimed to provide viewers with a more profound understanding of the world in which the characters operated, extending beyond mere action sequences.
The Deceptive Dance: Tappan and Creasy’s Evolving Dynamic
The relationship between Tappan and Creasy was characterized by a deceptive dance of trust and manipulation. While Tappan presented himself as a crucial ally, his actions were driven by a hidden agenda. This complexity made the character appealing to McNairy, who enjoys exploring the multifaceted nature of individuals. "Part of it was just the team, and Netflix, I love working with them. And after working on Narcos – you just don’t know what to expect when you get down there, and I think that’s probably the most exciting thing about it."
The initial dynamic between Tappan and Creasy was one of cautious reliance. Tappan’s planned extraction of Creasy and Poe back to the U.S. was intended to be a turning point, a moment of salvation. However, Creasy’s deep-seated paranoia and his rigorous vetting process, fueled by his traumatic experiences, prevented him from fully trusting Tappan, even as they seemingly collaborated. McNairy explained this tension: "I think it’s sort of foreshadowing the tension of these two and how they left off with each other. Creasy’s in a place where he doesn’t trust anyone, with the PTSD and the trauma that he’s going through, and he’s still an incredibly skilled soldier and a really intelligent human being." This inherent conflict set the stage for the inevitable confrontation.
The Hospital Showdown: Choreography and Realism
The season finale culminated in a brutal and prolonged fight sequence between Creasy and Tappan in a hospital setting. This scene served as the ultimate release of the built-up tension between the two characters, a visceral culmination of Tappan’s betrayal and Creasy’s relentless pursuit of justice. McNairy acknowledged the physical demands and the strategic planning involved in bringing this pivotal moment to life.
"The biggest hurdle that was coming down the pipeline for me was the fight sequence [in the hospital in the finale]," McNairy stated. He elaborated on the collaborative effort involved: "We’re very different in size, so I think the stunt crew put together a really great sequence that made it believable, [to show] what would happen if these two individuals matched up. That was on my mind a lot for this shoot, making sure that looked realistic." The choreography aimed to reflect the characters’ distinct fighting styles and physical attributes. "I give full credit to the stunt coordinators because I wasn’t a part of [the planning], but the idea was that I’m smaller than him, so we tried to make [Tappan] quicker. That’s where they landed with sort of a Krav Maga background. He’s much quicker, but he’s not stronger."
The actors and stunt team dedicated significant time to preparation. "We trained for a good two, three weeks for this fight sequence," McNairy revealed. He also credited his stuntman, Brett Sheerin, for his crucial contributions to the scene. The ultimate goal was to create a fight that felt authentic and impactful for the audience. "All in all, looking at it now, I thought the directors and editors did a great job of piecing that together and making it look authentic and real."
Tappan’s Demise: A "Hoorah Moment" for the Audience
The climax of the fight saw Creasy fatally wound Tappan by severing his femoral artery with a scalpel. For McNairy, this moment represented a fitting, albeit violent, end for his character. "Yeah, I think so. I hope it’s a hoorah moment for the audience. That’s what it’s designed to do," he remarked. He humorously added, "I’ve died in a couple projects. (Laughs.) You’re always trying to come up with a different way to not repeat yourself in dying." The intention behind such a climactic death was to provide a cathartic release for viewers who had been invested in Creasy’s quest for retribution.
The Nature of Intelligence: Why Creasy Prevailed
The strategic battle of wits between Tappan and Creasy was a defining element of their relationship. Both characters were portrayed as highly intelligent and capable individuals. McNairy offered his perspective on why Creasy ultimately emerged victorious. "That’s a great question. I just think that he was always one step ahead. Tappan overplayed his hand by thinking he was smarter than him and he could get ahead of him, and I think that was his own demise, is thinking that the training he had given Creasy or that they had together, meant that he knew how [Creasy] thought." Tappan’s underestimation of Creasy’s intellect and his belief in his own superior cunning proved to be his undoing. "He fell into that trap, and at the end of the day, Creasy’s smarter than him and more well thought-out, more planned, more methodical, and what Tappan was doing was a crime and it was a scandal, so eventually you’re going to get caught." McNairy’s analysis underscores the classic narrative trope where arrogance and hubris lead to downfall, even for those who operate within the shadowy world of espionage and crime.
The Therapeutic Power of Connection: Creasy’s Journey of Healing
While Creasy initially isolates himself, believing that emotional detachment is key to his mission, the series subtly reveals the importance of the connections he forms. His interactions with characters like Valeria Melo (Alice Braga) demonstrate a gradual thawing of his hardened exterior and a capacity for empathy he had long suppressed. McNairy touched upon the showrunner’s research into individuals with PTSD and military backgrounds, which informed this aspect of Creasy’s character arc.
"I know that Kyle [Killen, the showrunner] researched a lot on people with military backgrounds who had PTSD, and they found out that people had a sense of resistance to returning to a similar situation, and it was more therapeutic to not resist but to live within the experience, versus returning to the [traumatic] event," McNairy explained. He interpreted these relationships as a form of therapy for Creasy: "I feel like those relationships that you see Creasy have throughout his journey are mirroring that, in a way. He’s living through the experiences versus returning to an experience. I don’t know if that clocks, but I took away that this sort of therapy that he gets through these other characters is part of his journey of getting better." This insight suggests that Creasy’s path to recovery is not solely about confronting external threats but also about reintegrating with humanity and finding solace in shared experiences.
The Future of Man on Fire: Possibilities for Tappan’s Return?
Despite Tappan’s definitive demise in the season finale, McNairy expressed openness to the possibility of his character’s reappearance in future installments. "I love return projects, especially when you’ve set the stage for it. Absolutely, who knows, there could be a prequel. They can come up with anything, so absolutely I’d be open to it," he stated. His enthusiasm for the project and his positive working relationships suggest that any opportunity to revisit the world of Man on Fire would be welcomed. "I love working with that crew down there in Mexico City and so yeah, I would gladly go back."
A Testament to Action and Storytelling
McNairy concluded by emphasizing the impressive scale and execution of the series. "It was a feat. There were big action sequences, and the stunt team and the VFX guys, they did a great job on this," he affirmed. He highlighted the show’s successful blend of compelling narrative and thrilling action, stating, "There’s a great storyline in there, but it’s also incredibly exciting, incredibly thrilling, with great car chases, fight sequences, shootouts." He noted that while the series diverges from the original book’s narrative, it effectively captures the spirit of the source material. "The name Man on Fire hat-tips it. It’s a different story from the book, sort of a sidebar. But it does a great job staying in that world. I’m excited for everyone to see it."
All episodes of Man on Fire season one are currently available on Netflix.
