(Photo credit toPeacock/NBC )
Written by Colleen Bement, Editor
If you’re watching the new crime thriller “Long Bright River” on Peacock, then you certainly know Joe Daru. As Detective Danjarat in this exciting new Peacock series, his recurring guest star role alongside Amanda Seyfried has been getting a lot of attention. Fans also know this talented actor from his other roles on “Chicago Fire,” “The Rookie,” “For All Mankind,” “The Brothers Sun,” “The L Word,” and more. He also happens to have a passion for directing and it has earned him multiple awards including most recently an honorable mention in the AGBO 48 Hour Film Festival for his short film “A New Leash on Life.” Daru has quite a story to tell.
As the son of a diplomat, this Thai/Chinese-American actor spent his childhood in Barbados, Laos, Hawaii, Florida, and Washington D.C. He found a love for baseball and played college ball, as well as the Southeast Asian Games, World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, and the Asian Games for the Thailand National Team. Daru spoke about how both careers are highly competitive and how he feels lucky to be a part of something with both passion and motivation. Get to know Joe Daru.
Colleen Bement: Hi Joe. Thank you so much for your time. Let’s jump right in. Your new show “Long Bright River” with Amanda Seyfried is so intense! Tell us about your experience filming this amazing series.
Joe Daru: Hi! Nice to chat with you! Yes, of course, I can’t say enough good things about my time on “Long Bright River.” The people were amazing and the culture on set was definitely one of the best that I’ve been on. I really loved the book and thought our showrunner/co-creator, Nikki Toscano, and co-creator, Liz Moore did a fantastic job transitioning it for television.
Working on a show that touches on some very dark parts of our society like drug abuse, overdose, and murders. From that, you’d think the vibe on set would be pretty glum, but it was not at all!
CB: Switching gears, I’m a big fan of the show “For All Mankind.” Would you happen to have a story from the set?
JD: I’ve always been very curious how it was to work on a show that takes place in space. The sets were amazing, and to see how much detail they put into every part of the production was incredible. In one scene I was a part of, there was a break in the wall which caused an enormous chaos with supplies flying all over and someone getting sucked out of the space station. I had a blast!
CB: First of all, the cancellation of Netflix’s show “The Brothers Sun” was a mistake. It was a great show! What can you tell me about your time on the set?
JD: I agree, it was a great show! After all the positive feedback that I heard, I was surprised it didn’t get picked up for another season. Nonetheless, I had such a fun time on that set, it was a fantastic group of people. The action sequences were so fun to watch, and the stunt team did a really great job of putting together such action-packed fights. Also, sharing a comedic scene with Michelle Yeoh is always a plus!
CB: As the son of a diplomat you lived in Barbados, Laos, Hawaii, Florida, and Washington D.C. I can’t even imagine! What was it like growing up all over the world?
JD: I absolutely loved moving around as a kid, and have to credit that attitude with the mindset that my parents instilled in my brother and me. They always spoke positively about moving and all the new & exciting things that were ahead, and that was the attitude we took. We quickly learned to be adaptive, make fast friends, understand new cultures, and got comfortable saying goodbye.
I remember shortly after we moved to Barbados – in the Caribbean – and attended a British-system elementary school, I was speaking just like an island boy with a full British accent. As a seven-year-old, it didn’t take long for me to blend into a new environment. When I show people the camcorder videos of me speaking like that, it always cracks them up.
CB: We have got to chat about what it was like to transition from pro baseball to acting. I’m a lifelong Dodgers fan, and I’ve got a few questions. 1.) What position did you play? 2.) Do you get the chance to play at all for fun anymore? Do you miss it?
JD: It was quite the life change! They’re two very different paths but also share a lot of similarities. Both are highly competitive, filled with a lot of talent, but only a certain amount of available spots, and I love that part of it. The itch for competition and striving for something was part of baseball and I’m so lucky to be in a career now where I feel the same passion and motivation.
YES! Go Dodgers! They are stacked and are so fun to watch, I tell people all the time that the worst part of living in LA, is not being able to watch Dodger games on mlb.com because of the blackout restrictions! BOO!
I was a switch-hitting centerfield and could run a bit. Now I play softball on the weekends, which is a great way to get some of those competitive juices flowing again. Luckily a few years ago, I had the chance to suit up again for the Thai National Baseball Team in the 2023 Asian Games in China. I had the best time out there and hope I can play in at least one more international tournament before it’s all said and done.
What I miss most about playing is the relationships you build with teammates and competing against great players. It’s a game I’ve loved since I was five years old, and it’s something that I will continue to enjoy throughout the rest of my life.
CB: By chance, have you checked out season 3 of “The White Lotus?” If so, can I ask your opinion on how the series depicts Thailand and its culture?
JD: I’m actually about to watch the last episode tonight. I’ve enjoyed the series so far and it’s nice to see Thailand being showcased on such a big show. There are so many beautiful parts of Thai culture both physically and spiritually, and I think they did a nice job of introducing that to the Western world. Hopefully, this will help promote more opportunities for projects to be filmed in Thailand.
Let’s get to know you even better with a Speed Round:
- When it’s time to kick back and relax, what are you wearing: Shorts and a T-shirt
- Favorite Gas Station Snack: Beef jerky
- Latest TV Show you’ve binge-watched: ‘Long Bright River!’
- Favorite book: Moneyball
- Marvel or DC: I like both
- Dawn or Dusk: Dawn
- Pie or cake: Pie
Be sure to catch Joe on “Long Bright River” on Peacock. Check out the trailer.
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