ShareThisBy TERRY MORROW
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Matthew Settle's wanderlust has been quenched a bit.
After years of globe-hopping for starring roles in HBO's "Band of Brothers," TNT's "Into The West" and the big screen's "The Celestine Prophecy," the 37-year-old Tennessee native is settling down a bit with ABC's "Brothers & Sisters."
"I know I liked to travel in the past, but, now, I am happy to be at home," he says. "I'm buckling down. I am settling down."
That Settle has a recurring role in a series speaks volumes. A couple of years ago, he wouldn't consider doing a steady role in a series, which he thought might be too confining. He wanted to be free to play a myriad of roles and trek around the world.
Now, he says, he's developing material for his own network series.
Settle was cast in "Brothers & Sisters" just as the all-star drama was in the middle of recasting roles and rewriting the first episode. He plays Jonathan Sellers, the love interest of central figure Kitty Walker (Calista Flockhart).
"Networks are kind of (like) family," he says. "It's important to have an affinity with (ABC). This is a good way to give show runners and other people a chance to know what it would be like to work with me over the course of a long time.
"Plus, this is a great cast to work with."
"Brothers & Sisters" also stars Sally Field and Rachel Griffiths.
Working with such high-profile talent on the series was a bit intimidating for Settle. "You feel like the new kid at school," he says. "Over time I have learned to be more polite and to wait for them to open their arms, sort to speak.
"That takes time. I have a tendency to want to come in and want to be familiar and want to have a good time right off the bat. In some situations, though, it's better just to wait and see how things develop."
Jonathan has been Kitty's main squeeze while she lived in New York. When she relocated to Los Angeles to be near her family, she has started to question her commitment to Jonathan.
"Right now, it seems like he is getting the short end of the stick," Settle says. "He makes a valiant effort. He comes at her with his heart."
There's also a bit of irony in Settle having the role. His parents _ the Rev. Robert and Joan Settle _ are conservative Tennessee Baptists. Settle has more liberal leanings.
The same sort of family clash is a central theme in "Brothers & Sisters." The right-wing Kitty doesn't always agree with her liberal-leaning family.
"My parents watched the show. I think they like it, although their thoughts on the way life should be is not exactly in line with this ('Brothers & Sisters') family," Settle says.
But his parents see some hope for the TV clan. "They are excited that Kitty is a Republican," he deadpans.
