Being part of a controversial television series is a big deal for Big Love’s Douglas Smith.  The Canadian actor, who plays the teenage son of the polygamous protagonist on the HBO series, has revealed how he received interesting fan mail regarding his character.  So far, he’s heard stories from male viewers who have struggled to keep up their Mormon faith while having a girlfriend – just like the guy he portrays. 

During an interview to promote the premiere of Big Love in Canada, Smith said that the letters he’s been getting have really affected him.  “There’s been numerous men in their late 20s or 30s who have kind of somewhat emotionally told me that they totally went through that and (the show) meant a lot to them.” 

The 23-year-old Toronto-born entertainer continued, “It kind took me aback a little bit.  A lot of them have been Mormon.”  Smith plays Ben Henrickson on the series, which focuses on Bill, his father, who has three wives and three sets of children.  Big Love marked the breakthrough of the young actor into the industry, despite having a number of guest appearances on other series. 

“It's weird, though, because I've become so accustomed to having this wonderful job with this wonderful security that I kind of joke that I'll probably go into like, a massive ... I don't know, spiral (of) depression when the show finally ends,” he said. 

It’s a safe bet to say that he won’t be the only one feeling pangs of sadness once Big Love wraps up.  Apparently, the entire series has made a huge impact on a variety of sectors in the world.

“Men who left the church who are now living in Los Angeles have stopped me (on the street) and they were like, ... 'it was really spot-on, that guilt, and I just really felt that and I always felt like I was going to like, just die, and I felt really just awful about myself and I think it's really nice that you portray it so that maybe if somebody's going through it now and they see it they realize they're not an alien,” Smith explained. 

HBO’s Big Love will be returning for its third season in January next year.


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: The Canadian Press
(Image Courtesy of HBO)