becomes ensnared in Christinesotherlife.
Ultimately, its about relationships and trying to navigate the world.
I think that the stigmas that are attached to escort services is interesting to tackle.
Credit: Paul Zimmerman/WireImage
I think theres something very true about that.
Christines a budding superhero, and Claire Underwood is basically already one in that world.
How do your characters compare?
Kerry Hayes/Starz
Theyre both dealing with women who have the upper hand.
David isnt very concerned [about that].
David completely underestimates Christine, but Yates is very aware of where the power is, I think.
David Giesbrecht/Netflix
On that note, how does working onThe Girlfriend Experiencecompare withHouse of Cards?
Was it easier to capture one character over the other?
[House of Cards] was overwhelming.
Im doing a scene with Robin Wright.
… [The Girlfriend Experience] was intimate.
We shot it Soderbergh-style, and the set is very pared down.
This person running this show?
So I think it was easy to play into that [as David].
Riley is a super talented young actress, its pretty humbling to watch …
In terms of which was harder, I dont know.
Youre also in the filmMidnight Specialand were just in an Off Broadway play.
How do you choose your roles?
I look for complexity Im drawn to people who are not exactly what they seem.
Where does that voice come from?
Is it based off of any real life author?
[Laughs] Yeah …
There wasnt any particular writer I was trying to emulate.
I think that causes an irregular speech pattern sometimes, but its not something thats necessarily conscious.
I think it makes him odd.
There are certain characters that have access to words very quickly, like a machine gun.
Hes not one of those people.
Do you know anything about the next season ofCards?
Will you be back?
Its sort of bittersweet.
I think the show is in very good hands with the new showrunners.
Do you feel the momentum in your career?
Is there an ideal role youd like to play?
No, Im not angling for huge fame.
My career has been a very slow, arduous climb to the middle.
[Laughs] Im happy where I am …
I hope [my career] is on the rise.
I kind of just have been plugging away for a long time.
Its not a showy story.
House of Cardsis streaming on Netflix.The Girlfriend Experiencepremieres Sunday at 8 p.m. A version of this story originally appeared inEntertainment Weeklyissue #1410, on newsstands now or availablehere.
