An Interview with Dohn Norwood & Atkins Estimond from ‘Hightown’

Dohn Norwood and Atkins Estimond as Alan Saintille and Ostio in Season 3 of ‘Hightown’. (Photo Couresy of STARZ.)

Dohn Norwood and Atkins Estimond are two highly accomplished actors that have appeared in some notable franchises over the past few years, such as Mindhunter and Lodge 49, respectively. Currently, they star as Alan Saintille and Osito in the hit STARZ series, Hightown, and with the show nearing its end, Dohn and Atkins were kind enough to honor us with a little time out of their busy schedules to discuss the farewell season of this acclaimed show.
 
John Betancourt: I am curious to know what each of you took away from your characters and the journey, since we all kind of take a piece out of a story.
 
Dohn Norwood: A greater awareness of what this world is and how it's affecting life today. A deeper understanding, because with other police officers I've played, I don't think they played into his personal life as much. So, you see the sacrifice away from family and other things that are made when you're divested to doing the job. So really having to experience that with the character was fulfilling and really seeing a three dimensional, fully realized person in doing the show. And of course, working with my peers, Mister Estimond here and his talented self, and all the great scenes we had together, as well as other actors on the show and crew, you know, Radium, all those guys, our DP and Eagle, and they're just, you know, obviously can't name -- it's like the Oscars, right? When you start seeing names, you'll never stop, or you'll leave somebody out. So, then just the great work of Rebecca and her writing staff. And it's been… so it's been fun, it's really been a joy.
 
Atkins Estimond: Yeah, takeaways from this project, and from the character is just like, understanding, be more understanding, you know? Like in the show, we talk a lot about, you know, addiction, and, you know, understanding that it's not, it's not easy, it's not an easy cycle to break. And a lot of times from the outside, you can have a judgmental point of view of those who are struggling with it. But when you see that, a lot of times people are trying, trying to do better, to get better, but it's not easy, you know, the path to sobriety is not linear. And I definitely learned a deeper understanding of that after working on this project.
 
John Betancourt: What has this journey meant to you?
 
Atkins Estimond: Man, being a part of this show has been an amazing opportunity as an actor, I have just, I have to be so thankful to Rebecca. And her staff, the writers… the opportunities that they placed in front of the character, you know, they really set up some really interesting scenes and moments, and also allowed me to just really take a hold of the character. And I think that for everybody that is, you know, if you look at the entire cast, such interesting stories, such interesting terms for all of the characters, the arcs, the growth, the changes, the things that they deal with, is not something that you as an actor are afforded in every role that you get. Sometimes you get a role, and it's like, “Alright, I gotta really, I gotta turn this VW into a Ferrari.” (Laughs) But in this situation, we started off with a Ferrari. And I was like, “Alright, I can just drive,” you know? So, it was a really cool experience.
 
Dohn Norwood: Same here, same here. It’s been enjoyable. And again, consummate professionals, we all were able to fly in our scenes and really delve into some things. I had mentioned this in another interview, like, oftentimes, Atkins and I would do a scene and things would just spontaneously grow from those moments. And then we always wish that there were more than we could have shot, because there was still some meat on the bone, right? And so just all that, and that's what does it for you as an actor. So, when you walk away, and you're very gratified, in your performance and with another actor and being able to really work with talented people who also come to just really enjoy and relish in what's going on. It's been great. No complaints.
 
John Betancourt Of course, we do have to talk about just the high-octane nature of season three in general. But without any spoilers, and this will be our last question for today, what are you most excited for audiences to see this season?
 
Dohn Norwood: Wow, yeah, like you said, it's a bit much. There's quite a few… I'll say this, every episode has something for everyone, there's going to be a surprise, and the stakes are bigger and the risks are bigger and everybody's really pushing that envelope in their journey. So, tune in I say, you know, got seven episodes, you know, to get it all in and we don't waste a second so definitely pre watch the first two seasons. And then then this final season, enjoy. You know, it's like a good meal that you finish with those last few bites. Those last few bites that you want to have that last flavor in your mouth.
 
Atkins Estimond: Yeah, I mean, this season… it's a treat. You know, for the fans of the show. I'm really excited for them to see, because every character has just gone through it. From season one to two to now you've really seen these people just try to find their way. And I've said this before that somehow, we managed to, you know, heighten the intensity every time and that is very much the same for this final season.
 
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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