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New Year’s Resolutions: Henry Ian Cusick needs to make his own mark in familiar role

By Alexandria Ingham

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: (L-R) Actors Marie Avgeropoulos, Henry Ian Cusick, and Eliza Taylor attend "The 100" Special Video Presentation And Q&A during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: (L-R) Actors Marie Avgeropoulos, Henry Ian Cusick, and Eliza Taylor attend "The 100" Special Video Presentation And Q&A during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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Henry Ian Cusick is taking over as the co-lead on MacGyver for the fourth season. This is a look at what he needs to do to help the series.

Whether you know him as Desmond on LOST or as Kane on The 100, you’ll know of Henry Ian Cusick. He’s made his mark on a variety of TV shows, and now he has a chance to do the same on MacGyver Season 4.

The Scottish-Peruvian actor has had a long list of credits, but joins the fourth season of MacGyver as the co-lead, opposite Lucas Till. For today’s New Year’s Resolution post, we’re looking at what he needs to do so that he can continue to stand out. However, the role still needs to feel somewhat familiar for the viewers.

The show: MacGyver

The resolution: Make sure Henry Ian Cusick can stand out in a familiar role

Why it needs to be made: The last thing we want is for a character to feel too familiar. An actor needs to stand out in his role, giving us the chance to get to know someone. It gives us the chance to see someone’s acting abilities, why making it easy to separate that actor from other roles in the past.

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At the same time, a role can’t feel completely different. The character needs to fit into the series, into the position given.

Henry Ian Cusick should be able to find a balance. He’s done a variety of roles over the years, all completely different from one another. You don’t see any aspect of LOST‘s Desmond in The 100‘s Kane, and I’m sure we won’t see any of those roles in his upcoming MacGyver role, Russ.

At the same time, this character needs to offer some sort of familiar feeling for the series, since Russ will effectively be replacing Jack (George Eads). There are going to be similar traits within the characters, including being ex-military partners. This should lead to some similar personality traits, offering the familiar feelings.

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Yet, the character needs to be different. We need someone who stands out, offering new challenges to MacGyver. At first glance, it seems like that is possible. Russ will be someone who isn’t afraid to take the spoils of war. That will certainly lead to some conflict with our titular character. Russ is also used to getting his own way, and we may just see some tantrums that we wouldn’t have seen with Jack.

Cusick has a chance to bring a new life to MacGyver, but that’s only going to happen with the right writing.

Next. New Year's Resolutions: The full schedule. dark

What would you like to see from Henry Ian Cusick in MacGyver Season 4? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

MacGyver Season 4 premieres on Feb. 7 at 8/7c on CBS.

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