Why Jon Gries Finds Dark Inspiration for His White Lotus Role
The White Lotus continues to captivate its audience with gripping storylines and ever-evolving characters. One such character is Gary, played by Jon Gries, whose dark backstory has caught the attention of many. Gries revealed that his portrayal of Gary, which took a sinister turn this season, was inspired by none other than Robert Durst, the infamous real-estate heir and convicted murderer.
The Sinister Transformation
According to Gries, the character Gary underwent a significant transformation, evolving from a seemingly nice guy to someone far more sinister. The creator of the series, Mike White, described Gary’s character as “sinister,” prompting Gries to dig deeper into darker inspirations. Among them, Durst stood out, whose crimes were famously detailed in the HBO documentary, The Jinx.
Channeling Real-life Infamy
In an interview, Gries shared that he used Durst’s “seemingly even keel personality” as a foundation for Gary, creating a character that doesn’t overtly express emotions, making him all the more dangerous. As he described, there’s a “bridled rage underneath,” reminiscent of the chilling demeanor exhibited by Durst.
Crafting a Complex Character
During the show’s earlier seasons, Gary was initially portrayed as a man pretending to be on his last legs—a dramatic shift Gries had to accommodate in his portrayal. This role required him to explore Gary’s empathetic side, thereby understanding the character’s journey from seemingly benign to dangerously unhinged.
Revelations and Realizations
As revisiting previous episodes revealed just how unhinged Gary is, Gries recalls a pivotal moment with Mike White. In a brisk exchange, White affirmed Gary’s psychopathic tendencies, prompting Gries to delve deeper, further enhancing his portrayal with the added layer of complexity.
The Anticipated Outcome for Gary
Fans are eager to see where Gary’s storyline heads in the gripping new season, with some hoping for a brutal end that does justice to his dark deeds. Yet, Gries, ever the dreamer, hinted at the possibility of a less tragic fate during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, leaving the audience guessing about the future of his intriguing character.
As stated in Life & Style, the new episodes of The White Lotus are aired every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, keeping its viewers at the edge of their seats, wondering what lies ahead for Gary and the other intriguing characters crafted in this acclaimed narrative.
