Major Crimes interview: Bill Brochtrup reflects on Dr. Joe Bowman

Today’s Major Crimes interview is all about Bill Brochtrup, the man behind one of our favorite recurring characters on the series in Dr. Joe Bowman. Dr. Joe is greatly responsible for helping Rusty through many of his problems and it’s been great having him as a touchstone over the years. Also, you’ll be pleased to know that you’ll be seeing Dr. Joe at least once over the 13-episode sixth season!

Below, take a look at what Brochtrup had to say to CarterMatt about playing this character, some of his top moments, and also where he thinks the character could have gone had the show lasted even longer. This interview, like all of other others with various cast members, was done during the 100th episode party earlier this month.

CarterMatt – How is this week going for you?

Bill Brochtrup – It’s bittersweet. It’s a celebration but also [there’s the news] that the show’s ending. It’s happy and sad, but it’s been a great ride.

Do you remember what it was like when you first signed on and got the role?

We knew from the beginning that Dr. Joe was going to be a strategist and a game-player, and so for the very first scene that I did, Rusty and I played chess. We had a chess expert come and teach us all of these moves — it was really fun — also, I met Kyra Sedgwick that day and I was really excited about that!

How has your relationship with Joe and Rusty evolved over time?

I think it’s been a success story. Rusty had a lot of issues when we started out but now he’s doing really well for himself. I feel like Dr. Joe is partially responsible for that.

So is he giving himself a pat on the pat?

I think so! I think he’s my success story. He shows that therapy works.

How many more Dr. Joe stories are there still to tell?

I’m sorry to say that there really could have been years of it — I think everyone in that squad can use some therapy! (Laughs.) There’s not a person in there that couldn’t have used a trip to the couch.

Can you pinpoint a day as Dr. Joe that you remember the most?

We did a show where Rusty was describing crime to Dr. Joe and we were the bookends to every scene. We shot all of that in one day, so it was just Graham [Patrick Martin] and I going back and forth all day. He is a great partner. I’m very proud of what we accomplished.

So what’s next for you now?

I do a lot of work in the theater, so I’m be doing a production of Shakespeare in Love at South Coast Repertory.

Want more Major Crimes interview?

Then be sure to head over to the link here! We have a few more that are coming up before the October 31 premiere.

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