An Interview with Alex Neustaedter & Mark Pellegrino from ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’

Alex Neustaedter and Mark Pellegrino as Billy and Virgil Poe in ‘American Rust: Broken Justice’ (Photos Courtesy of Dennis Mong/Prime Video.)

Alex Neustaedter & Mark Pellegrino are a pair of accomplished actors that have appeared in many memorable stories throughout their illustrious careers. Currently they play Billy and Virgil Poe, respectively, in the Prime Video series, American Rust: Broken Justice, and as part of our celebration of season two’s arrival… we sat down with both of them to discuss year two of this dynamic show. 
John Betancourt: First and foremost, I'd like to star by learning what it means to each of you to be back for a second season.
 
Alex Neustaedter: Yeah, it’s very exciting. I feel like we had a lot of storylines that were left unturned and not resolved. And I feel like we're just really excited to be able to, to resolve some storylines, and continue the story and continue living through these characters.
 
Mark Pellegrino: Same, it's great to have a new lease on life and to continue telling the story, I mean, for us as actors, and for the fans who wanted to know what the heck was going to happen, I think season two is going to leave them in the same boat, they're going to want to know what's going to happen in season three.
 
John Betancourt: There is a lot of want this season, everyone really is searching for something. What would you say you’re characters are searching for in season two?
 
Mark Pellegrino: It's funny, because I think we're running towards the future. But we're also confronting the past, you know, and oftentimes going into the future means dealing with and getting closure with your past. So, Virgil's, I think, moving into adulthood… rather late, but he's going into adulthood, learning to become a man, running his own business. And part of being able to do that successfully is mending bridges with his son, he was never a father to his son, really, in the most important ways, and now he's trying to be a father to his son in the most important ways.
 
Alex Neustaedter: I think Billy is really searching for his purpose and searching for what he's going to do in the future. I think it's also at the same time that Virgil is becoming a man I think Billy is equally becoming a man and really taking the next steps of responsibility. And I think he's really trying to come out of his shell at the end of the season and through the season and, and deal with his traumas, as best as he can.
 
John Betancourt: There are also so many themes and concepts for audiences to chew upon here, what are you hoping audiences take away from season two of the show?
 
Alex Neustaedter: Yeah, I think I hope audiences will take away that even though like the outside of a lot of these characters is kind of corroding away or seems like it's corroding way I think, deep down, they're all very strong, and caring people and they love each other. And I think that's something that is very relatable, even as flawed as these characters are, is that they will do anything they can for the people that they love.
 
Mark Pellegrino: I like the metaphor of the “rust” in American Rust. Once you scratch beneath the rust, you find iron, if it's very durable, and these people are durable and what makes them durable is their love, and still holding on to the idea that, you know, they can be better than Buell. And I think people will relate to them. 
 
John Betancourt: Last question that I have for you gentlemen, today. If you had to describe Season Two in a single word, or started market this one, what would that word be? 
 
Mark Pellegrino: I’m thinking I'm going to steal something from Alex, but I think it would be, reconciliation.
 
Alex Neustaedter: I’ll say… vengeance.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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