Robert Buckley: 'Privileged' Gets a New Hunk
Robert Buckley, who has had back-to-back roles on NBC's "Lipstick Jungle," opposite Kim Raver, and on Lifetime TV's "Flirting with 40" TV movie, as Heather Locklear's younger boyfriend, is joining the cast of The CW's "Privileged."
Robert will play David, the new magazine editor at Will's (Brian Hallisay) dad's new start-up magazine -- and there's a very good chance he could cause some romantic trouble for Megan (JoAnna Garcia) and Will.
ET: You have had quite a good run recently. Do you think there is one thing that you did that launched it?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: I took off my shirt. [he jokes] No. I have been so fortunate to continue working as I have. All three of those jobs were great experiences. It has made it really easy to stay positive and enthusiastic about the jobs and the work that we do.
ET: Can you describe your character on "Privileged"?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: His name is David. He plays the editor-in-chief of a new magazine that Will's father starts up. Both Megan and Will go to work at this magazine, so I am kind of their boss. He is like the dream kid. He graduated from top schools, he published at 22, and now he is running this magazine. He is also a little bit goofy, a little neurotic He is a very fun guy. There is a lot of that in myself, so it is fun to put it into the character.
ET: So will you be taking your shirt off in this?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: It wouldn't be a Robert Buckley production … I don't want to disappoint people, but it may or may not happen.
ET: That is a convoluted way of asking if you are going to have any love scenes with JoAnna Garcia?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: [Megan] has a boyfriend.
ET: At the end of last week's episode, things didn't look that promising for them.
ROBERT BUCKLEY: That is right. They are on the rocks. I forgot about that.
ET: Might you become a triangle?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: I am a huge fan of geometry across the board, so if I could be a part of a triangle, I am all for it. Could David mix things up? They are all good looking and working long hours, shenanigans could happen.
ET: Do you relate to this new character at all? You do have a degree in economics from UCSD?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: I can certainly empathize with the plight of this kid having to work in an office under a deadline. Not leaving the office for two days straight; seeing your co-workers more than your family and friends. I have done that, so I have a special appreciation for it. One thing I like about the character is he is very passionate about what he is doing and it does get him excited. Unfortunately, I didn't share that in real life with the job I was doing. I am always drawn to characters who really do care about what they are doing and they are passionate about their life, so I see a lot of myself in the character that way.
ET: How long can you be on this show, because NBC keeps saying "Lipstick Jungle" isn't cancelled?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: I am really not certain, to be honest. We are all in a holding pattern. We were told we are not coming back; then we are told, it is. In the meantime, we are going to do everything we can until they give us a hard decision and then we will work with that.
ET: You have this reputation from "Lipstick Jungle" and "Flirting with 40" of working with older women. What is that like for you?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: It has been a great experience because both Kim and Heather are so much fun and such professionals. It is a nice blend, because when you are working, you are always learning, which is a huge part of it., but then when the camera is not on, they are the kind of people you want to be around.
ET: What are you doing in your downtime? Are you working out a lot to stay in shape for these jobs?
ROBERT BUCKLEY: I am actually trying to find new alternatives to the gym, because I am burned out on the gym. So hiking and mountain biking have become my two new activities. The gym has been reduced to days when I can't go out and do something new. It is just so boring.
The season finale of "Privileged" airs tonight at 9 p.m. on The CW