DEMON PERSONA SHED FOR BAD-GUY ROLE

by Kate O'Hare

Last fall, Irish actor Glenn Quinn became an immediate hit with fans of the WB series "Angel," playing Doyle, a half-human, half-demon sent to guide vampire Angel (David Boreanaz) to his destiny.

But by November, Doyle was killed off in a heroic gesture, and Quinn departed the show. The news leaked out several weeks before his final episode aired, and the producers' explanation that it was all part of the show's master plan didn't satisfy fans or the media, and rumors continued to circulate long after Quinn was gone.

Now the actor is back in a new VH1 movie "At Any Cost." He plays Ben, the manager of an up-and-coming rock band called Beyond Gravity, led by brothers (Eddie Mills, James Franco) who are Ben's longtime friends.

As the band finds success, Ben finds opportunities of his own and is gradually seduced by fame and fortune in Los Angeles. This leads him to go against his own conscience and betray the friends whose talent he has envied for years.

The film also stars Maureen Flannigan ("7th Heaven") and Cyia Batten ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"_, plus cameo appearances by KISS frontman Gene Simmons and VH1's Roshumba Williams.

The movie also features a full-length soundtrack, called "At Any Cost, Music From the VH1 Original Movie," released by Reprise Records on Aug. 8, and featuring original songs from the film, sung by Mills, and new songs by Barenaked Ladies, Eagle Eye Cherry, former Candlebox member Kevin Martin, Deckard and Andreas Johnson.

Whatever the circumstances behind Doyle's departure, the strong fan reaction to it was heartening for Quinn.

"Not to sound egomaniac or anything, but just get under people's skin like that, and for them to believe in you and believe strongly enough to write ... it's flattering and it helps you during the day."

Quinn has remained close with former co-star Boreanaz, but has let no grass grow under his feet career-wise. "I had a good Christmas, stayed in town. Then I got offered this movie, which was really, really great confidence boost, especially a couple of months after the end of the show. It was like 'Listen, you're so terrific, do you want to headline this movie?'"

And fans of "Angel" might notice that Ben dresses like Doyle, and there's a reason for that.

"I actually did that as a tribute to him and to the many people that were quite fond of him," Quinn says.

How did Quinn see Ben?

"The reason I chose to do it was it was such a complex character to me, tapping into a side of my anger. I've never really gone there for that amount of time. This guy, listen, he was out for himself. He was jealous and envious from the very get-go, and as soon as he smelled money coming his way no matter who he rolled over or slept with or promised, he rose up, man."

"I really did like the story. I came from quite a ways away (to Los Angeles) with just some integrity and good morals, and when I read this, it was something completely opposite than Doyle on 'Angel.'"

 

 

 

 

From Orange County Register. Reprinted without permission.