'For Life' star Adam Feingold says show helped him understand the intricacies of life behind bars
With five episodes under its belt, ABC's latest 'For Life' has prompted the audience to speak out by showcasing several crucial issues through the lens of its characters, that are often overlooked or are simply underestimated.
The ill-treatment of prisoners is one such issue Hank Steinberg's series sheds light on. By touching on the intricacy and nuances of life in imprisonment, 'For Life' is what could be termed a groundbreaking attempt that edges towards reality.
And who could have known or seen the misery of life behind the bars better than those who work closely with the inmates? In an exclusive interview with MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), Adam Feingold, who plays the role of the correctional officer Micelli, laid his experience of working in the series and also explained how it has impacted him.
When asked if working on a show that deals with sensitive subjects and is also disturbing influenced him in any way, Adam said, "It impacted me personally in terms of trying to get this broad view of incarceration. What it is to be on both sides as an officer."
He also believes that 'For Life' has been well-received by viewers owing to the strong messages it promotes. 'For Life' follows a wrongfully convicted Aaron Wallace, who is serving a life sentence for a crime he never committed. He has used his time in prison and acquired a degree in law, to help bring justice to his fellow inmates who are also suffering at the hands of the system while trying to overturn his own case.
Speaking of wrongful incarceration, Feingold said, "We're all people. No matter what we see on a headline or what we hear in a news report, there are people involved. Let's take some time to really learn the facts and understand who the people are before we cast judgment. Like this blanket judgment of right and good and evil."
He told MEAWW, "I think it opened my eyes, more so, in the sense that I don't take everything at face value. Maybe do a little more digging and investigative work to see what's really under the surface of what the story supposedly is or isn't (sic)."
Adam also attributed the success of 'For Life' to “all parties involved from the crew to the lighting people, hair and makeup. There's a lot of people that get this train moving. And I think it really fills up."
Meanwhile, reflecting on his working relationship with the creators and co-actors of 'For Life', Adam called Nicholas Pinnock, who plays the lead role of Aaron Wallace, "an awesome actor who has been so gracious" and praised the executive producer and the director of a couple of episodes, Hank Steinberg, for his brilliance in writing.
'For Life' airs on Tuesdays on ABC.