You might know Boris McGiver’s name, but you very likely will recognize his face. In his 30+ year career, the journeyman actor has worked with many famous directors such as David Fincher (House of Cards), M. Night Shyamalan (Servant), and Steven Spielberg (Lincoln). He’s appeared in numerous landmark television series like The Wire, Evil, Person of Interest and Our Flag Means Death. For McGiver, out of all those credits, his new Peacock show Teacup stands above the rest. “This is my favorite show I’ve ever been on,” he declared.

“Horror stuff is not my favorite,” said McGiver. Even so, creator/writer Ian McCulloch’s compelling pilot script drew him in. By page 10, he knew he wanted to be involved in the series because the writing was so strong. “My character was not even in the first 10 pages, and I said ‘yes, absolutely, yes.'” McGiver’s character, Donald Kelly, was a challenge for the veteran actor. Donald appears to the stereotypical conservative farmer but with a twist, McGiver explains: “He’s ‘conspiracy this, conspiracy that.’ He carries around an AR-15. He’s a good old boy.” Then strange occurrences start happening in the neighboring farmland, and life for Donald, his wife Claire (Holly A. Morris) and their dog, Duke, is altered forever.

As the series progresses, an extraterrestrial event and a personal tragedy reshape Donald’s psyche. “When you’ve just had a massive loss, you’re not really yourself anymore or at least the self you thought you were,” said McGiver. Donald is one of the first to experience the effects of the deadly blue line border, and McGiver notes that “Donald has been torn open, physically and emotionally.” That newfound vulnerability allows him to connect with Yvonne Strahovski‘s Maggie. “He can’t help but reveal his heart to her,” said McGiver. McGiver appreciates that “the show stops for a moment to show Donald’s humanity.”

McGiver dropped by the DECIDER studio to discuss the series, explore his character, and discuss why humanity is the most important thing at the end of the world.

DECIDER: You’re no stranger to genre storytelling, but what drew you to Teacup in particular?

BORIS MCGIVER: The writing. I was sent the first two scripts, and the producers said, “just take a look at these.” Horror stuff is not my favorite, but they insisted I read at least 10 pages in. 10 pages later, I was all in. Ian’s writing was just so good. My character wasn’t even in the first 10 pages, and I said “yes, absolutely, yes.”

I spoke to your co-stars who couldn’t sing Ian’s praises enough. What was it like to work with him?

A joy. Easy. Fun. I’ve been a working actor for 32 years or so. This is my favorite show I’ve ever been on.

Really?

Yeah. I’ve done some great shows like House of Cards. It was so lovely working with David Fincher and Beau Willimon. I’ve done so many shows, but Teacup was so much fun. I felt so taken care of. All the top people at Peacock and NBC and Ian and Dana [Scott, EP] would always ask: “what do you guys need? You’re comfortable? Need anything?” Ian was present the whole time. He was done with his work, but he was there to support us and see it all happen. It was so nice. He set the tone for the show, both on the page and on the set. There were no divas. The crew was taken care of. We all had a great time.

Donald feels like a very different role for you. When the audience first meets him, they think they have him all figured out. He’s a farmer and a hunter. As the story moves forward, it’s clear that his character is much more layered than viewers realize. What insight did Ian McCullough share with you about the character?

None, but he didn’t really have to. I mean, he asked me, “Do you have any questions?” I was like, “No.” It was so clear when you read beyond the first episode how deep Donald was. There are these layers. Suddenly, he’s thrown into a situation in Episode 2 where he’s literally torn open, and you see the inside of Donald and all the different layers.

After that, you’re able to see this entirely different human being. Audiences might be quick to pigeonhole him because he is into conspiracies and carries around an AR-15. He’s the guy! He’s a good old boy. It doesn’t take long for that tree to get chopped down. And then you see him.

Tell me about filming the scene in which Donald’s arm is flayed by the blue line. What was the process like?

It starts with the immediacy of what’s happening to your arm. We had been shown pictures of what will happen if someone crosses the line, and we just had to imagine what that would feel like. I don’t know if you have ever had an accident that cut you open or gave you lots of cuts and bruises and scrapes, but just intensify that pain by a thousand-fold. The VFX didn’t happen on set. The only effect that we saw was Donald’s wife’s corpse. If you can call it a corpse. Her torn body did help visualize what was happening to Donald.

I was once in a play that required my character to pull himself around the stage for the entire two hours with one arm. I ended up overdeveloping some muscles and forming a blood clot, which just kept growing. It was very dangerous; it could have been life-threatening. But we caught it in time. As I healed, it felt like glass particles were being pulled through my vein. It was incredibly painful; I can’t tell you have painful. However, I was able to channel that experience for Teacup.

One of the connections I was most invested in throughout the series was the bond between Donald and Maggie. Why did Donald choose to tell Maggie about his and Claire’s desire for children and their hardships?

It’s the situation. When you’ve just experienced a massive loss, you’re not really yourself anymore or at least the self you thought you were. Suddenly, you view the world differently. At that moment, Donald’s just been torn open, physically and emotional. He can’t help but reveal his heart to her. Donald doesn’t strike me as a man who has ever been truly vulnerable. I don’t think so. Possibly in very intimate moments with Claire. I’m really thankful for that scene with Maggie. The show stops for a moment and allows Donald to show his humanity and take the time to look at people.

The few criticisms I’ve seen about the show claim that Teacup spends too much time with these characters, basking in these important human moments, instead of moving ahead at some breakneck pace. However, in a potential world ending situation, people and their experiences are what matters.

Exactly. When shit hits the fan in the world, we see all aspects of humanity coming out. More often than not, you see empathy and kindness from people. That’s why this series is so good. Ian finds humanity in the midst of this horror.

What was your favorite thing about working with Yvonne Strahovski?

It was so lovely to work with her. We both were just very present with one another during that scene you just mentioned. It was easy and calm. In that instance, her character is physically of taking care of me. Then, my character gets to take care of her not very long afterwards when she’s having her breakdown. It would be great if we could all do that–take care of each other.

Let’s talk about the breakdown scene that you just mentioned. To me, Maggie’s panic attack and Donald’s reaction to it make for one of the most powerful moments in the series. Can you talk about filming that sequence? How did you support her?

As a scene partner, you’re just present. In the script, Donald had experienced panic attacks for years with Claire. He recognized what Maggie was experiencing immediately. “Are you okay?” “Hey, listen, it’s nothing.” A panic attack is a combination or a conglomeration of numerous fears. Donald knows to remind the person that it’s just a moment, it’ll pass. Of course, Maggie is in a situation where things are really bad, but he’s doing his best [laughs]. I loved those two scenes. I’m very thankful to have those two scenes. Ian allowed the Donald character to show his heart. That’s so important.

The first six episodes of Teacup are now streaming on Peacock, with the final two episodes dropping this Thursday.