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If you’re an ongoing television series shopping around for a solid and reliable character actor, you could do no better than thespian Mandy Patinkin. Born in Chicago, this stoic mensch made a name for himself early on with his work on Broadway in such fare as Trelawny of the Wells, Evita, Sunday in the Park with George and The Secret Garden. These and other acclaimed stage parts brought the actor a boatload of awards and a fast ticket into the world of TV and motion pictures. Faster than you can say ‘Chicago Hope,’ the Tony Award-winning Patinkin was everywhere, with perhaps his most memorable turns being in The Princess Bride and the Showtime series Homeland. So yeah, if you want an ensemble in a television series to really sing or pop, Patinkin is your bird.
From our Yentl aficionados over at Variety comes the news today that actor Mandy Patinkin will be added to the cast of the NBC series Brilliant Minds in a recurring role. Joining this thoroughbred of acting talent will be fellow thespians Steve Howey and André De Shields, with Howey and Patinkin initially slated to feature in at least two episodes.
So what role will former Sondheim acolyte Patinkin essay for Brilliant Minds? According to word ‘round industry campfire, the Dick Tracy star will tackle the part of a well-thought of family doctor who lands a gig at the Bronx General Hospital. How will that all play out, one might ask themselves…Checking out the handy-dandy press release, Patinkin’s character will showcase “his affinity for house calls and long-standing patient relationships” which eventually “wins the respect of our lead, Dr. Wolf, and fosters a mentor-like relationship between the two men.”
As for the other newcomer to the series, Steve Howey, his character will be a tough and hearty mechanic of motorcycles who is “forced to make a heartbreaking decision” after a gunshot wound. Meanwhile, the third new face for the series – André De Shields – will take on the difficult part of an Alzheimer’s patient who is estranged from his family.
As noted at the top, Patinkin is one of the best actors on the scene of any age. His subtle and nuanced work with Claire Danes on Showtime’s Homeland introduced a lot of folks to his many gifts as a card-carrying thespian, and we have no doubt that Brilliant Minds will continue that amazing string of performances.
Brilliant Minds is set to premiere this coming September 23.
