Ed Harris on the Man in Black’s Role in ‘Westworld’ Season 3: ‘I Didn’t Like It. I Still Don’t’

Ed Harris gets candid as hell when talking about the aptly titled "Decoherence" episode.

April 20, 2020

"Most joyous" isn't how Ed Harris would describe the experience of shooting Westworld's third season, which—suffice it to say—hasn't exactly hit the same levels of fan adoration as previous seasons.

But before we begin, do know that portions of what's about to transpire here do indeed constitute SPOILERS and whatnot.

Speaking withVulture about Sunday's episode "Decoherence," which featured Harris' William embroiled in a group therapy sequence which sees him fighting different versions of himself, the prolific award-winning actor minced approximately zero words.

Asked about filming process behind the key, A Clockwork Orange–esque William sequence, the four-time Oscar nominee/two-time Golden Globe winner noted a lack of fondness.

"You do what you gotta do," he said. "I mean, I signed on to play the Man in Black. I didn't sign on to play the Man in White. So it wasn't the most joyous season for me, I gotta say."

Asked if embodying the seemingly darker place his character has gone to in this episode, Harris again delivered some calm criticism. "It's not so hard to embody, but it's hard to feel like something I'm really enjoying doing," he said.

In another chat, this time with the Hollywood Reporter, Harris echoed this assessment of a personal lack of joy. When asked to give his thoughts on whether it was "jarring" to play such a "powerless" version of the character, Harris confirmed that it was, though not likely in the way that fans may expect.

"It was jarring," he said. "To tell you the truth, it was hard to enjoy." Later, Harris sprinkled in a bit more: "In other words, I didn't like it. I still don't. But that's my problem."

Though he also added that these most recent experiences were "aggravating," he made it clear that he still enjoys the series overall.

There are two episodes left on this run of Westworld, with the finale set to air May 3. Moving forward, I would personally love to make it a tradition to have Ed Harris provide commentary on each episode via an assortment of post-airing interviews.