Exclusive: Cory Hardrict Talks Crackle’s The OathPosted by Wilson Morales
March 19, 2018
Currently playing on Crackle, Sony Pictures Television Networks’ free, ad supported streaming network, is their latest 10-episode original drama, “The Oath,” starring Ryan Kwanten, Katrina Law, Cory Hardrict, Arlen Escarpeta, J.J. Soria and Sean Bean.
Created by Joe Halpin, a Former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy, and executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and his G-Unit Film & Television Inc., the gritty, action-packed drama, explores a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend and sheds light on corrupt and secret societies that are nearly impossible to join—only a select few make the cut–but once inside, members will do what they must to protect each other from enemies on the outside and from within their own ranks.
A group of corrupt cops known as The Ravens are arrested by the FBI, which is putting together a RICO case targeting the multiple organized cop gangs in the Department. Led by Steve Hammond (Ryan Kwanten), the Ravens are pressured to inform on the other gangs and forced by Agent Aria Price (Elisabeth Röhm) to take on undercover agent Damon Byrd (Arlen Escarpeta) and sell him as one of their own. With the threat of prison hanging over their heads, it’s up to Hammond to ensure that his fellow Ravens — his adopted brother Cole (Cory Hardrict), his partner Pete Ramos (J.J. Soria) and Karen Beach (Katrina Law) — stay in line. From now on, they will have to operate under the shadow of the Feds while keeping the deal a secret from the other Ravens, including their imprisoned former leader, Tom Hammond (Sean Bean), father of Steve and Cole.
For Cory Hardrict, who plays Cole Hammond, this is his first series as a regular. Hardrict will soon be seen in Labyrinth starring Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker and set for release in 2018. He was most recently seen in the Netflix original film Naked opposite Marlon Wayans, November Criminals with Chloë Grace Moretz and Ansel Elgort, and Qasim Basir’s Destined. His other credits include roles in feature films such as Warm Bodies, American Sniper, Gran Torino, Lovelace and Spectral; and television series “NCIS,” “Heroes,” “CSI,” and “Law & Order,” among others.
Blckfilm.com spoke exclusively with Hardrict about his role and saying yes to doing this series.
What was the attraction to doing the series?
Cory Hardrict: My attraction waa the material. I actually hit up my boy Arlen (Escapeda) when i heard he was on board and i asked him about it. We’ve known each other for at least 15 years. He was like, “I’m in.” No hesitation. He was doing it. So i read the script and love the dynamic of Cole and the relationship within the force, his famiy values, how he was real and dealing with the issues of being adopted and having a white father and brother. When I saw who else was involved, it felt like 10 cool independent films and i said to myself that if i went into TV, it would be something like this. It was right there so i said i have to do this. I was all in.
How would you describe your character?
Cory Hardrict: My character is loyal. He’s for his family. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s emotional and passionate and he’s always ready to go. The only one who gives him orders is his older brother Steve and his father. He’s loyal to the bone. He’s dealing with a lot in his life. He holds a lot in and it’s ready to explode. There’s a lot of layers going on with Cole. Throughout the season he will have different encounters.
Can you talk about working with this ensemble of a cast?
Cory Hardrict: The ensemble is great. I love working with Ryan. He comes from True Blood, a cool show that was critically acclaimed. It’s all real moments with him. It’s personal. I really feel it when i’m working with him. We have a great chemistry and a great connection. I’ve worked with Arlen before. We did a film called Dole Boy and so we have a connection. JJ Soria comes from LA and we have a connection and with Katrina Law. All of us are connected to each other and outside of own worlds, we all bring it together.
With so many shows on TV and streaming platforms, what’s the attraction to seeing The Oath?
Cory Hardrict: The Oath is real life. Our show runner Joe Halpin was on the police force for 17 years, so he’s experienced this life, and this series is loosely based on his life and everything he has seen as a cop. He didn’t sugarcoat the world. It’s all in the material and hands-on from he has seen. That’s why I think it’s going to be different and then the caliber of actors that’s on this show just brings everything to life even more. The world that we shot in, in Puerto Rico, has a certain texture that you can’t get no where else. I believe people will like relationships, the family elements of it as well, and also the cop stuff. With the gang units, The Ravens, there’s only one way in and one way out; and people love that type of stuff.
With the films that you have done and projects like this, what goes into saying yes when offered these opportunities?
Cory Hardrict: What goes into saying yes starts with the material and ends with the material and who else is involved. I had heard of Crackle before, but at the same time I heard of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu before and I thought this could be something really great. It’s all here on the page and everything has to start from somewhere and I was attracted to what I was reading and everyone who was involved and 50 Cent was producing and look what he’s done with Power, and he’s been great to work for, and I’m just really excited.
